Meet the Lamphet family, who launched Pottery House Lao Food Tours in Luang Prabang’s Chan Nua Village, a small community that has been throwing clay pots for 400 years.
“We started Pottery House Lao Food Tours in cooperation with the Luang Prabang Tourism Department because we feel like the jewels of Laos are found among the people, who call it home,” Mr Lamphet said.
“Through our pottery tour, we hope to bring visitors into contact with these people, their culture, history, and food.”
The Lamphet family is driven by a passion to preserve the disappearing lifestyle of their village.
“Our hope is to use these tours to preserve the tradition of our village and provide a sustainable way of life for families, while showcasing to the world the special things that make us proud to call Laos home.”
Learn Ancient Pottery Making
Mr Lamphet noted that ancient Lao kings selected Chan Nua Village for its pottery-making skills. Early uses of the pots included fermenting fish and storing water. Today, families produce everything from decorated planters to terra-cotta roof tiles by using hand-made techniques passed down through generations.
“We started our company in part to help preserve this amazing history, as it’s slowly fading away with only six families still using these techniques,” he explained. “On a tour, visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at these ancient techniques, and also have an opportunity to get hands-on with the clay.”
Mr Lamphet added, “The village’s skilled pottery makers help guide visitors to an up-close-and-personal, truly Lao cultural experience. How many people can say they’ve made Lao pottery using ancient techniques? You will.”
Eat Traditional Lao Food
The tours conclude with the Lamphet family cooking up sampling of traditional Luang Prabang specialties like khaipan (fried river weed), grilled fish, eggplant dipping sauce, and spicy papaya salad.
“One of the highlights of Laos is the delicious food cooked, as always, with lots of love,” Mr Lamphet said. “All the ingredients come from local sources and, depending on the season, they might even come from our very own organic garden.”
Experience Village Tours
Chan Nua Village, located just across the river from Luang Prabang, offers half-day Pottery House Lao Food Tours that kick off at 08:30 and 13:30 with a hotel pick up.
“Local English-speaking guides lead the laid-back experience, and we hope all visitors leave feeling like friends and family,” Mr Lamphet said, adding that the village provides Western-style restrooms and clean drinking water.
The itinerary begins with a 90-minute tour of the village pottery center, while learning about traditional Lao life. Next comes an hour-long demonstration of pottery techniques by local families, followed by a hands-on opportunity for each guest including kids. The tour ends with a Lao meal.
Mr Lamphet believes Pottery House Lao Food Tours delivers what tourists demand. “Visitors come to Laos because they want to see untouched Southeast Asia. They want to see untamed beauty. They want to see a place and people that can change the way you see the world. We know our pottery tour will help you walk away from Laos feeling like you found what you were looking for.”
