Community-based tourism and local makers, given equal prominence
A community weaving group in Ban Phanom offering half-day lessons on a traditional loom. Participants weave a small scarf to take home, and fees go to the group's shared fund.
Five village families who host guests in traditional wooden houses by the Nam Khan. Guests share family meals and can join paper-making in the morning.
A farmers' collective growing organic rice, vegetables and herbs, with farm walks and rice-planting experiences in season. Lunch is cooked with produce picked the same morning.
Young guides from Ban Xang Hai lead a one-hour village walk explaining jar-making history, rice distilling and riverside life. The walk fee supports the village school.
A community-run visit to a Khmu and Hmong hill village off the Kuang Si road, with a walk, handicraft demonstrations and a shared meal. Visits are limited to small groups to respect village life.
A family silk studio in Ban Phanom raising silkworms, reeling thread and weaving with natural dyes. Visitors can watch every step from cocoon to finished cloth.
A workshop where visitors can make their own sheet of saa paper decorated with petals and leaves. Sheets are left to dry in the sun and ready to collect within a few hours.
A silversmith family making traditional Lao jewellery and betel boxes with hand-chased patterns. Short workshops teach basic hammering and engraving.
A woodcarving atelier making temple-style panels, naga motifs and small gifts from reclaimed wood. Carvers explain the meaning of traditional patterns.