Handmade | Direct from the villages | Using traditional skills | Natural dyes | Eco-friendly


Preserve and promote Lao village crafts, create employment opportunities for villagers - mostly women - and reduce poverty.
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TaiBaan


TaiBaan was started by PADETC, a Lao NGO, as a fair trade social business that works with traditional handicraft artisans to preserve and promote Lao village crafts, create employment opportunities for villagers - mostly women - and reduce poverty.

TaiBaan was originally named Saoban. In 2020, Saoban was renamed TaiBaan to reflect rebranding needs of the company. TaiBaan means ‘village or a community of villages’ in the Lao language.

TaiBaan supports more than 15 village crafts groups of many ethnic communities across 10 provinces of Laos.

When you buy from TaiBaan Crafts, you provide employment and training for the artisans, and the profits stay in the village communities.


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Our artisans


TaiBaan works with hundreds of artisans across ten provinces in Laos. Many of our artisans lived through the American War and Secret War of the 1960s, and experienced firsthand the upheaval of the revolution in 1975. In rural areas and among various ethnic groups, craft making provided a source of income and stability.


Their stories (click on the photos below), demonstrate individuals and communities with remarkable talent and resilience.

What people say...


  • A social enterprise that works with traditional artisans to preserve and promote Lao village crafts. Beautiful products all made with love and with a strong social mission. Will highly recommend to take a look if you are looking for some traditional handmade gifts for yourself or love ones!

  • Great store that gives back to the community, only reason it won't be 5 star is I am concerned about the industry of making souvenirs out of UXO material. Edit: After finding out where the material comes from thanks to the owners reply (see below) they deserve 5 stars. Also we love the recycled shopping bag.

  • Good variety and stock of scarves, weavings, bags, clothing, and crafts directly supporting Lao village craftspeople. Also found CDs of traditional Lao music and homemade soaps. Prices reasonable.

  • Many "real "Lao products to choose. Good for souvenir and yourself. Recommend.

  • Nice variety of handmade items with explicative signs. Bags, scarves, table runners, silver accessories, cosmetics. Prices are very reasonable and they accept card payments. Wish had more space in my backpack! :)

TaiBaan