Lao vendors cash in on Chinese New Year
Lao vendors cash in on Chinese New Year
Vangthong Night Market Plaza in central Vientiane looks like a little Chinese town at the moment as vendors fill their stalls with festive clothes and decorations in the lead-up to Chinese New Year.
There are at least five shops in the market selling red Chinese decor to customers looking to dress up their homes for Chinese and Vietnamese New Year at the end of this month.
Vendors said the holiday was a good opportunity to make big profits, especially with the number of Chinese people in Laos continuing to rise.
China is one of the top three investors in Laos, according to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Chinese businesspeople have considered Laos one of the most attractive investment destinations in Asean since Asean-China free trade was established in 2010.
One of the vendors at the market selling Chinese cloth, Ms Phimphone Xayalath, said she imported the goods from Thailand.
Ms Phimphone sells the red, pink, gold and white clothing specifically for Chinese New Year to both children and adults alike.
She said this time of year presents a good opportunity to sell a lot of clothes as people shop for both themselves and their friends.
Ms Phimphone has sold more than 10 items of clothing per day since last week for prices ranging from 55,000 to 85,000 kip, depending on and quality.
She said she sells Chinese New Year clothing every year because it can be highly profitable. The majority of her customers are Chinese and Vietnamese, although some Lao people come to her stall too.
Those who wear the special ceremonial clothes believe they will bring them good luck in the year to come. Many also buy the clothes as New Year's gifts for friends and family.
Ms Aem Xayalath, another vendor who is herself Vietnamese, said she sells Chinese lanterns, stickers and similar items for decorating houses and apartments.
She has been selling more than five lanterns per day for between 60,000 and 200,000 kip each, depending on and quality.
vientiane times
