06/08/2013
Special Report 1:
Where do you go shopping ? Where do you like to go shopping ?
We’ve got no place to go for shopping in Vientiane
Citizens in Vientiane don’t have many places for shopping to kill time and spend their money. Usually we only have several places like streets around Mekong River, Talasaot’s small shops and even China Town. Products from these places can not satisfy our Vientiane locals nowadays as we become richer and richer.
As a historical city with a long history, Vientiane welcomes millions of tourists every year. During the same time, the incomes of locals have increased greatly. Then where do they go eating, shopping, watching movies and what do they think of these places? To find out the answer we interviewed some citizens randomly.
Interviewee1: young white collar Nui, Nationality: Laotian, Place: Office, Date: July, 12nd
Q: Do you go shopping in Thailand often? Usually which city do you choose? Name the frequency and the places you go.
A: Ordinarily, I go to UdonThani like 2 to 3 times a month with my mom. Moreover, I go to Bangkok once every two months. There are several big shopping places in Undo Thani, such as Central Plaza, IT Plaza and UD Town. I spend money on foods, clothes and make-ups mainly.
Q: How much do you spend on consuming each time?
A: Usually it’s only a casual weekend to me. I spend around 1000-2000 THB. Maybe 3000 THB is I intend to buy clothes.
Q: What do you believe Vientiane lack of nowadays?
A: I insist that we need places for us youth to kill time and hang around. At present, I can only consume in Thailand, which is quite far away from Vientiane even when I have a car. My biggest wish is that my friends and I can kill time together near my home in the coming future..
Interviewee2: middle-aged businessman Peter, Nationality: Laotian, Place: Office, Date: July, 11th
Q: Do you go shopping in Thailand often? Usually which city do you choose? Name the frequency and the places you go.
A: UdonThani of course. I choose it since it provides me with lots of choices. Regularly I go there for shopping twice a month. Central World is my favorite.Besides shopping and eating, I enjoy watching movies with family or get myself relaxed by walking around.
Q: What do you buy? How much do you spend every time?
A: Just daily goods and electric equipment such as cell phones or computer. I normally bring 10000 THB with me.
Q: Where do you consume in Vientiane?
A: I go to Moonthelight, Khong View for gathering with friends.
Q: What do you believe Vientiane lack of nowadays?
A: Large-scale modern shopping places of course. Vientiane is the capital and we are getting richer now. Why do we have to spend money in Thailand? A walking street in my motherland is what Vientiane needs most. I will go there every week if we’ve got one.
Interviewee3: diplomatic personnel Anderson, Nationality: Confidential, Place: Office, Date: July, 25th
Q: Do you go shopping in Thailand often? Usually which city do you choose? Name the frequency and the places you go.
A: I go to Bangkok once a month since it’s a city with multiple choices. I spend most of my time walking in the central district with family members, shopping and killing time. We go to Paragon, MBK and Weekend Market, which is very interesting.
Q: What do you buy? How much do you spend every time?
A: Daily goods such as clothes, books and so on. My wife goes there for her hair styling. 1000 USD is enough.
Q: Where do you go in Vientiane?
A: Kop Jai Der, I-beam and bars along the Mekong River. But I don’t shop here. I shop in Thailand and Malaysia.
Q: What do you believe Vientiane lack of nowadays?
A: High-level shopping districts which can provide us international brands to choose from. Moreover, natives in Vientiane are getting wealthier which means big shopping districts can find their future here. It’s time for Vientiane to have a one-stop place for everything they need. A shopping mall is totally not enough.
Although the business climate along Mekong River is surfacing, the middle class of Vientiane still have to shop in Thailand while they live in Laos.
Thus, what Vientiane currently needs most is a modern shopping complex. A fancy place with one-stop service is what we Vientiane citizens look forward to. We will continue to discuss this topic on this Friday’s Vientiane Times.
