Laos · WORKSHOPS
Bamboo weaving, natural dyeing, candle making and paper. The 15 below are compared on how long you spend making things, what you take home and whether lunch is part of the deal.
Meet your English-speaking guide at 4 PM, visit a local market, cook five Lao dishes, share dinner with a family, join a Baci ceremony, and hear traditional music in a rice-field pavilion. Groups are limited to six, with hotel pickup in Luang Prabang.
“Excellent cooking class. Very hands on. Also the ceremony was very elaborate”
Spend four to five hours with local instructors such as John or Sia, learning bamboo’s role in Lao life, weaving a small mat, and cooking bamboo shoot dishes. Choose a morning lunch or evening dinner session, with hotel pickup, music, and a meal served in a bamboo tray.
“Fantastic activity jam packed full of fun and our tour guide was brilliant.”
Meet your English-speaking chef near Wat Xiengthong, visit Luang Prabang’s morning market by bicycle or tuk tuk, then cook Lao dishes at Alame Restaurant beside the Mekong. Recent classes have been led by Noi, Noy, Nov, and Vannasone. Small groups are limited to 10.
“Chef Noi was very kind and funny, she explained well all the steps for the 4 dishes we cooked.”
Spend about four hours at The Bamboo Experience near Luang Prabang, where Somsay and local craft teachers explain bamboo culture, guide you through weaving a coaster or mat, and help you cook bamboo shoot dishes. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and lunch are included.
“The location is lovely, leafy and peaceful overlooking a large rice field and mountains The wooden buildings attractive and traditional The various demonstrations packed with fascinating information, ending with a charming Hmong musical item! Bamboo workshop was hilariRead more”
At Moon Love Batik beside Wat Sibounheuang, an English-speaking Hmong batik artist guides you through symbols, beeswax drawing, and natural indigo dyeing. Choose a one to four-hour session, create a piece on hand-loomed hemp, then collect the finished blue design the next day.
“Super relaxing and almost meditative activity that felt very approachable even for my husband who isn’t very skilled at crafts. We made a beautiful piece each with Chimuy (sp?) careful instruction.”
Spend about four hours at The Bamboo Experience outside Luang Prabang. After hotel pickup, learn how bamboo supports Lao life, weave a small mat, prepare bamboo-based dishes and sticky rice, then eat your work with music and local cultural activities.
“What a wonderful experience, I learned a lot about the Laos culture and I enjoyed every minute. I learned about bamboo and its countless uses, separated the sticky rice from its husks, weaved a little coaster and helped to prepare a delicious home made meal in a Read more”
Travel from Naga Lodge with a Khmu guide such as Peng or Pheng, walk into the forest or countryside, gather ingredients, cook with bamboo, and make your own chopsticks and drinking cup. This private five-hour outing includes transport, lunch, snacks, and water.
“This was an amazing authentic experience! The guide is really kind and hardworking and the village is so lovely to see and be a part of! Favourite day in Luang Prabang! Don’t miss this and support!”
Meet local host Si at Phosy Market, then visit a Luang Prabang home kitchen to prepare two or three Lao dishes from family recipes. This private five-hour experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a home-cooked meal, drinks, and personal guidance. Vegetarian meals are available with advance notice.
“I participated in the market tour and cooking class (not for dinner, but for lunch). I can confidently recommend this experience. The Phosy Market tour is an incredibly stimulating place, filled with fascinating sights such as an impressive Read more”
Spend a half-day with Doi and Dom, the Weaving Sisters, learning to use a Katu backstrap loom in Luang Prabang. With patient English guidance, you can make a belt, strap, bracelet, bookmark, or wall hanging, then take home your handmade piece.
“I had a wonderful time learning how to weave with the backstrap loom. It was an insightful and meditative process. I will truly treasure the experience.”
At The Namkhan near Luang Prabang, a local chef leads a three-hour Lao cooking class for up to six people. You’ll harvest seasonal vegetables from the organic garden and greenhouse, prepare traditional dishes, and eat your meal at the farm-to-table restaurant. Carl and the team oversee the experience.
“The experience is amazing from learning how to pick different vegetables, clean & wash to cooking. Guide speaks amazing English and explaining the Laos culture. Cooks are nice and General Manager - Carl always check on your satisfaction.”
Start at Tamarind at 8:30 am for a four-hour Lao cooking class. Visit the morning market, choose ingredients, then cook dishes such as laap, Mok Pa, and stuffed lemongrass with Chef Sit. Your meal and recipe book are included, and the class welcomes all skill levels.
“We first went to the morning market. That was realy chaotic to western eyes. Our chef helped bij explaining all. At the cooking our cheff first made all the dishes and after we each cooked one. Same for dinner. With the help of the cheff we cooked. Amazing dishes. You get a cookbook and all recepies”
Join an English-speaking guide for a small-group bike tour from Luang Prabang across the Mekong by local ferry. Cycle quiet Chomphet roads, visit Wat Chomphet and Ban Chan Pottery Village, make your own clay souvenir, and enjoy optional Lao food at a local home.
Spend about eight hours combining a bamboo cooking class, weaving lesson, countryside views, lunch, Kuang Si Falls, and a sun bear rescue center. Pickup from central Luang Prabang hotels, air-conditioned transport, and a small group of up to eight make the day easy to manage.
“Day was awesome, I never knew what you could do with bamboo, owner, his wife and staff are just fabulous, knowledgeable and funny and incredibly helpful. I really enjoyed this day, helping to prepare food and then having lunch, the whole experience is worth doing.”
Meet at The Namkhan Activity Center in Don Keo Village for a one-hour yoga class at 8 am or 4 pm. Expect asanas, chi kung, breathing, and guided yoga nidra meditation. Mats, towels, and organic tea are supplied. The class accepts all fitness levels, with space for up to 10 people.
“Réservation sur Viator 3 jours avant le cours, malheureusement personne n'est jamais venu nous chercher au point de RV à côté de Laha Massage alors que nous avons attendu de 15h30 à 16h15. Nous avons tenté de joindre l'agence dont le nuRead more”
From 9 AM to 3 PM, a Khmu guide such as Peng leads you from a local farm into the forest to forage, shape bamboo utensils, and cook rice, meat, or fish over natural heat. Transfers, ingredients, water, and your bamboo cup and chopsticks are included.
“Peng was awesome! This experience was so authentic and just a lovely time learning cooking techniques. This hands on experience was well worth the visit. I would highly recommend. Be prepared to get really into it as I never imagined I would be in a forest cutting down bamboo to use for my meal. Communication was excellent. I highly recommend!”
Pick a river, a cave or a kitchen.
