One of Laos' most popular activities in recent years for female
tourists, is a trip to the wonderful Houey Hong Vocational Training
Center for Women. The centre's mission is to provide education and
training to Lao women from disadvantaged backgrounds, to help
assimilate them into the contemporary economy by teaching them the
skills of natural dyeing, traditional Lao weaving, tailoring and
small business administration. The centre is thus an important
contributor to the Laos government's initiative of sustainable
development in the local craft and tourism sectors of the economy.
Visitors to the Houey Hong Centre are not just casual observers:
rather, they partake in half- or full-day courses, in which they
too are taught skills ranging from tie-dyeing silks to traditional
Lao weaving using a loom. The Houey Hong Centre is a short
(20-minute) tuk-tuk ride from downtown Vientiane and provides
tourists to Laos with an unforgettable experience of traditional
textile manufacturing, not to mention the chance to contribute
sustainably to the upliftment of the local population. The best
part? You get to keep whatever you make during your time at the
Centre to show off to your friends back home.
Prices vary, but are about 100, 000 Kip for a half-day at
the centre; and 200, 000 Kip for a full day
Lao is the official language, but some English and French
are spoken.
The Lao Kip (LAK) is the legal currency unit, currently
available in denominations of 1, 000, 5, 000, 10, 000, 20, 000 and
50, 000 kip. US Dollars, Euros and Thai Baht are also accepted in
many places and are more convenient to carry than large stacks of
the local currency. Banks, hotels, and jewellery shops all offer
currency exchange services. For everyday expenses, carry a mix of
US dollars and kip. For larger items, or when the exchange rate
works in your favour, use US dollars. For local transport, street
food stalls and minor purchases, it is best to use kip. When in
rural areas, ensure you carry a supply of small notes as change can
be hard to come by. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard
are accepted at most international hotels, many shops and
restaurants, and a few tourist-orientated establishments in Luang
Prabang and Vientiane - but in other parts of the country assume
that only cash is accepted. Travellers cheques can be cashed at
most banks in Vientiane and other major towns. Banks are open
Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm, and then again from 2pm to 3pm.
In Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and other major towns, ATMs are
available from which money can be withdrawn. Note that ATMs
distribute only Lao kip, with a maximum of around 1, 000, 000 kip per
transaction.
Open Monday to Saturday, from 8.30am to 4.30pm (Email
ahead for a booking)