The Lao Disabled Women Development Center (LDWDC) is a non-profit organization located on the banks of the Mekong River in Vientiane. Run by and for women with disabilities, it combines vocational training, accommodation, and a workshop-boutique open to visitors. A short but enriching visit offers insight into a lesser-known side of Laotian society while directly supporting the work of the artisans.

Why visit the LDWDC

Unlike a conventional museum or craft shop, the center functions as a living space. Women in the program reside here during their training, and the exhibition hall showcases their creations alongside pieces made by other artisans from across Laos. Purchasing a woven textile, a recycled paper notebook, or a bag sewn on-site directly funds the program.

The visit particularly appeals to travelers interested in inclusion, traditional craftsmanship, and social enterprise. It pairs easily with an excursion to Buddha Park, located just a few kilometers further along the same road.

History of the center

The story began in 1990, when Madame Chanhpheng Sivila founded a small group of women with disabilities dedicated to sewing and pattern-making. The initiative addressed a simple reality: at that time, women with disabilities in Laos had almost no access to vocational training.

In 2002, the group formalized and officially became the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. The organization is now recognized by the Laotian Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor, and collaborates with several national and international NGOs to advance the rights of people with disabilities.

Two core pillars continue to guide its work: vocational training and community support.

What to see and do

The exhibition hall

The exhibition hall is freely accessible with no admission charge. You'll find woven textiles, recycled paper items, locally sewn clothing, and decorative objects, all produced by the trainees or partner artisans from various provinces across Laos.

Workshops and guided tours

The center offers several paid options, settled on-site:

• Suksaa Tour: guided tour of approximately 35 minutes to understand how the center operates and meet the trainees.
• Surn Tour: craft workshop of approximately 60 minutes (weaving, sewing, or recycled paper-making, depending on availability).
• Traditional lunch on-site, prepared by the trainees.
• Baci ceremony, a Laotian blessing ritual offered to visitors.

Training programs

The program runs for six months. Trainees stay in the center's dormitories; medical expenses and meals are covered, and each receives a monthly allowance of 50,000 kips for personal expenses. The curriculum covers a broad range of skills:

• Sewing and needlework
• Weaving
• Paper-making and recycled paper crafts
• Computer skills
• Business management
• Lao and English languages
• Women's rights and health care

Content is tailored to each trainee's abilities and to employment opportunities beyond the center.

Practical information

Address: 100, Thadeua Road, Hadsayfong District, Vientiane.

Phone: 021 812 282 (subject to change).

Official website: laodisabledwomen.com

Hours: weekday opening; weekend visits by appointment. Best to confirm hours before visiting.

Admission: exhibition hall and general access are free. Guided tours and workshops are offered at modest rates, listed on-site and payable in kips.

How to get there

The center is located approximately 400 meters after the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, on the road leading to Buddha Park. From Vientiane's main bus station, take line 14 (green and white, air-conditioned) heading toward the Friendship Bridge and Buddha Park. The fare is modest. The bus makes a brief stop at the border before continuing. By tuk-tuk or taxi from central Vientiane, expect around twenty minutes depending on traffic.

Nearby attractions

Several sites work well for a combined half-day visit:

• Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan): park featuring Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, a few kilometers to the south.
• Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife: wildlife care center, on the same road.
• Mekong Eden Farm: ecological farm on the Mekong, ideal for extending a nature-focused day.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

The LDWDC fits naturally into a Vientiane itinerary focused on culture and encounters. To integrate this visit into a larger circuit across Laos, see our Laos travel suggestions.