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The author has not visited Lao PDR for almost 3 years because Thailand and Lao PDR are closing checkpoints to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Like other countries until the situation calmed down so the country began to open up
Since the Lao PDR official opened international checkpoints across the country on May 9, 2022, it has been found that Thais crossing the border into Lao PDR continues especially popular tourist cities such as Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng
Results of the Lao-China Railway Project Opened in December 2021 onwards, making travel to popular tourist destinations shorter. and there are not many Thai I want to feel the modernity of the trains there.
long weekend On the occasion of the last National Mother’s Day the author had the opportunity to visit Lao PDR again But this time, I only visited the capital Vientiane. Because there is no time to scramble for Laos-China train tickets. Now there are many people queuing to book tickets.
On this trip, we hope to see the changing capital of Vientiane. especially shopping malls and new department stores opened which the center is neighboring countries Even if you can’t buy anything. But it is considered an open world which What is his house for sale?
Previously, I had the opportunity to go to at least 3-4 department stores in the capital of Vientiane, ranging from large shopping centers such as Vientiane Center, Parkson Department Store, Home Idea Department Store. and away from the city center like Lao I-Tek
But after the COVID-19 situation, some things seem to have completely changed.
The retail market in Vientiane capital in the past was considered busy because foreign capital groups to invest in the local area such as M Point Mart that changed to Big Mini C As of 2018, there are currently 56 branches in Lao PDR.
or will Chokchai Mart (SOKXAY Mart) Chokchai Group convenience store with a variety of businesses both construction businesses Lottery dealers, restaurants, credit, insurance, logistics, etc. Currently, there are about 15 branches.
As for PTT Group, which invested in Lao PDR, it opened a convenience store. Jiffy (JIFFY) Currently, there are 13 branches, most of them are located in the PTT gas station area and some branches are outside the gas stations.
doesn’t count Seven Eleven in the CP All Group from Thailand is the master franchisee in Lao PDR with a 30-year contract. assistant store manager and store staff who had to go to learn and work in Thailand
while the department store Found that they range from small department stores to modern supermarkets in shopping centres. a traditional retail market such as a market and grocery store called crooked shop Still exists, can be seen everywhere.
After the Covid-19 Crisis One thing that has changed is a small department store called Ideal home which is located in Si Hom District There it is divided into supermarkets. and department stores that sell fashion goods, bags
The classic of this mall is It’s a shopping mall without escalators. Going up to the 2nd floor, you have to walk up the stairs. The feel is similar to Tang Hua Seng Mall, Bang Lamphu (but Tang Hua Seng has an escalator) or study commercial products. Rajadamnern in the past
2 years ago The writer also used to buy goods, souvenirs, and Dao coffee back to Thailand at this mall. After this time, I felt a little sad. because it seems only department stores are open As for the supermarket department, a sign says “Closed for renovations”
Return to the morning market, visit Vientiane Centre Again, although it is the same, but larger on the side, there will be a condominium called Vientiane Life Center 22 floors, a total of 712 units
Vientiane Centre It is a 4-storey shopping mall building with a total area of 36,823 square meters Opened for service on March 28, 2015, divided into department stores and rental stores. Upstairs, there is the first branch of Big Platinum Cinema in Lao PDR.
The main stores in Vientiane Center include The Pitcha Company, Mi Store, Miniso, Joint Development Bank (JDB), Bank of China.
Formerly Vientiane Center has PINKOM Market Selling consumer products and processed products but closed the business Currently, Lao-China Railway Company has been removed as Laos-China train ticket sales point Open between 10 am and 3:30 pm
However, on August 18, 2022, Vientiane Center has signed a contract with Choktawee Company owner Chokthawee Supermarket (XOKTHAVY Supermarket) 8 existing branches to open the 9th branch in Vientiane Capital
In addition, he has also collaborated with the company Pop and Ploy Shop is a distributor of fashion brands Jaspal a Lake Around including fashion brand distributors Calvin Klein, Kate Spade a 21st suit He will be opening a shop here soon.
Next to it is a shopping center building with a sign. “Pakson PARKSON” It was originally understood as Parkson Shopping Centre. A famous department store brand with branches in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
But in fact, this building is called Naga Mall It is a 6-storey shopping center building on the named project area World Trade Center A mixed use project on a total area of over 115,465 square metres.
The owner of the project is Lao International Development Company. office building Retail spaces (Naga Mall), medical centers, convention centers and InterContinental Group (IHG) 5-star hotels.
Currently, the construction of 2 buildings has been completed, viz Naga Mall a Naga flat 24 storey residential complex, total 277 units with swimming pool and VIP gym.
part Parkson Department Store Laos only open at the moment Parkson’s Supermarket and food court In the basement area on January 31, 2020, the area from the 2nd to the 6th floor is not yet open for service.
Although Parkson department store originated in Malaysia. and is one of the business groups Grŵp Lew (GRUP LEW) But it is under the so-called parent company Parkson Retail Group People’s Republic of China Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Parksons Malaysia under Parkson Retail Asia, which is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, previously operates 4 countries, namely Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar. Currently, there are only 38 Malaysia and 1 Vietnam.
Product sold in Parkson supermarket In addition to getting fresh food products consumer goods Both from major manufacturers in Lao PDR, such as Beer Lao, Dao Huang Group There are also products that are imported from Thailand, China and other countries.
Furniture and goods Parkson supermarket Reminds me of Gourmet Market in Thailand, although the products are different. The amazing thing would be a Starbucks can and bottled coffee, available here, starting at 30,000 Kip.
As for the shops in the Naga Mall, which are open only on floor B and floor G, it was found that the number 1 fast food restaurant in South Korea, Lottery (LOTTERIA) then open a branch near the main gate, 1st floor
The operator of the lottery in Lao PDR is Chokchai Group (SOKXAY GROUP), which has 4 branches in the capital Vientiane, namely Dong Dok, Sibunruang, Sihom and Parkson, 5th place in Luang Prabang
On the other side is a western coffee shop and bakery. “Joma” (JOMA) The highlight is baked goods and Arabica coffee grown in Lao PDR.Currently, there are 5 branches in Vientiane and 2 in Luang Prabang.
The shop that will open soon is a coffee shop. Starbucks coffee The first branch in Lao PDR, on the 1st floor of Parkson Department Store, withConcept Coffee (Lao) Co., Ltd. at Maxim’s Catterer Limited of Hong Kong as an executive officer
Arrive at the shopping center on the outskirts of Vientiane Lao I-Tek Convention and Exhibition Center (LAOS ITECC) a ITEC Mall (ITECC MALL) which has the main magnet Sky Supermarket basement area
Traveling to Laos Aitek during this period is a bit difficult. because bus number 10, morning market – Laos I-Tek Not open yet Must use tricycle for 50,000 kip, 100,000 kip back, and have to go through traffic jams through Bueng That Luang Intersection.
Along the way, I noticed that the Bueng That Luang Special Economic Zone started to form, high-rise buildings and condominiums started to appear. Including the five star hotel The QUBE Hotel & Suite opened in 2019.
Although the shops in I-Tek are not fully open But this is also a location for various events. There are people coming in continuously. All of them brought their own car. Nearby is a water park called Ocean Park Vientiane
However, I heard that Thailand’s Big C Supercenter is going to have a construction project for a Big C. department store in the I-Tek area by opening pre-orders for the food court area From June 2022 back
looking out the window he will see tall buildings as far as the eye can see there it is called Royal Plaza Project (Latsavong Plaza) It is located on Kaisorn Phomvihan Road. Close to Vientiane Capital National Auditorium
Royal Plaza Project It is a joint venture between Laos and China. It consists of a 33-storey hotel with a height of 138 meters, which is the highest in Vientiane. A 20-storey residential building, a 20-storey office building and a 6-storey shopping centre
The construction work has started since 2014, although the structure has been completed. decorates the inside and outside But the construction work was stopped in 2018 until the construction work resumes in 2021 under the support of the Lao PDR government.
Construction is planned to be completed by the end of 2023 to accommodate the ASEAN Summit that Lao PDR will host after Indonesia in 2024, or the next two years.
Lao PDR also has department stores, shopping malls, and convenience stores. Investment groups from China, Thailand and Vietnam are to join the investment. Although few products are produced in Lao PDR. More than half of the consumer products come from imports
when looking at Thailand Even with a supermarket shopping center More retail stores and convenience stores But when manufacturers in Thailand Monopoly on only a few large capital groups The variety of products is rarely seen.
But for Lao PDR, when Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese products are collected in the same department store It is a junction of a variety of products. Especially Chinese products entering the market, such as canned red milk, Wang Zhi. Wang Lao Ji Vegetable Juice or processed meat products
while Thai products sold in Lao PDR found the price to be almost half higher. So, I have seen Laotians crossing the border to buy products from Thailand. Before there was a measure to collect a 10% tax for those carrying goods over 1,500 Thai baht in
But for products produced in Lao PDR, the price is not very high. If it’s alcohol, the more you reduce, exchange, give away. something that Thailand cannot do But if it is not recommended to buy back to Thailand. because the Thai Customs Department Limit alcoholic beverages entering the country to no more than 1 liter.
It is recommended to use kip instead of baht when shopping in Lao PDR. because it will be cheaper than paying with Thai money As for the use of credit cards in supermarkets The cashier should be asked first. Some places add an additional service charge of 3% and currency conversion risk of 2.5%.
Visit shopping malls in Lao PDR from time to time, as well as see the investments of various capital groups, but also know which Thai products are popular. to the point of being sold in Lao PDR and products imported into Lao PDR that may not be found in Thailand
At least I have seen change and growth. from this capital to step into a more modern way of life
