Though Lao food has something similar to Thai’s due to a long shared history, some aspects of its cuisine are distinctive. 

• Khao Niew (Sticky Rice): is eaten by hand and ever-present in almost every meal. It is considered the essence of what it means to be Lao, one of the main identifiers of Lao culture
• Laab: The most famous Lao dish, a salad made from ground meat and herbs, laced with fish sauce and lime juice and topped with a powder made from dry ground rice.
• Muu Haeng (Sun-Dried Pork) and Siin Haeng (Sun-Dried Beef): Muu haeng is thinly sliced pork, typically shoulder, while siin haeng is thinly sliced beef, typically a tough cut with fat, like top round. Both are marinated in a mixture of fish sauce, black soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chopped cilantro, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and galangal
• Khao Poon (Soup With Fermented Noodles): The overall composition of the dish can vary by region, or even hometown. In Syhabout, khao poon nam prik is a chicken-broth soup with a red curry base that includes coconut milk. Luangrath describes khao poon nahm kaew as similar but served without coconut milk, and with a broth based on either pork or fish.
• Gaeng Naw Mai (Bamboo and Yanang Leaf Stew): This stew is made from bamboo shoots and flavored with yanang leaf extract.
• Tam Muk Muang (Green-Mango Salad): Lao version is made with unripe yellow mango, combined with tomato, garlic, and cashew and typically dressed with a mixture of soy and fish sauce, which adds salty and savory flavors, while palm sugar provides sweetness
• Naem Khao (Crispy Coconut Rice): A mixture of salt-cured ground pork, pig skin, scrambled egg, ground herbs, steamed and dried white rice, and dried shredded coconut, soaking up with the fish sauce and lime juice.
• Lao coffee (Pakxong coffee): Grown on the Bolovens Plateau around the town of Pakxong.
• Lao hai: means jar alcohol and is served from an earthen jar. It is communally and competitively drunk through straws at festive occasions. 
• The Beerlao: has become more famous in Laos and is highly regarded by both locals and travelers alike.

Local cuisine restaurant:

• Lao Kitchen: 140/01, Unit 15, Rue Hengboun, Baan Anou
• Kualao Restaurant: 134 Samsenthai Road, Thatdam Intersection
• Doi Ka Noi: 31 Sapang Mor, Sisangvvone Road, Ban Naxay

Western cuisine restaurant:

• L’Adresse – Cuisine by Tinay & Da: Wat Ongteu At the 3rd floor of Anou Hotel
• La Signature Restaurant: Quai Fa Ngum, Ban Vat Chan, Hom 5 Muang Chanthabury
• Home: Hom 10 Ban Watnak
• Tango Bar Pub Restaurant: Nokeokoummane Street
• La Cage du Coq: Hengbounnoy street, Ban Haysok

Laos coffee, woodcarvings, sinh (a wraparound skirt with silver belt), paintings, home decor, jewelry and weaving silk dominate the local marketplaces.

Top Places to shop in Vientiane:

• Oot Ni Gallery: Antiques, handicrafts, artwork, and silver ornaments
• Vangthong Evening Market: Authentic Laotian Food
• Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles: Woven textile
• Talat Sao Morning Market: Clothes, handicrafts, ancient murals, woven textiles, clothes
• Vientiane Ban Nong Bouathong Weaving and Textile District