Water to drink for free in Luang Namtha, Laos
We realized there is a big problem with drinking water in Laos. The bottles are expensive and you produce a lot of waste by buying it. Fortunately there are smart people at least in Luang Namtha, the Mekka of trekkers in Northern Laos, where you can get it for free.
The place where you can get free drinking water for your bottles (really, for free) is Bamboo Lounge on main street of Luang Namtha, some 100 metres from Night market. As they write on their web:
We provide it for free to anyone in town who wants it. All travelers be encouraged to bring in their bottles and refill them with our purified, clean drinking water to reduce plastic waste. We hope that this practice will also remind travelers to refill their water bottles where possible elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
We are happy to help the nature to recover and of course – we have it much cheaper as if buying the bottles.
Is that all about water in Bamboo Lounge? No!
Most of all, Bamboo lounge is not only restaurant with free dispenser, it is much more. They are training restaurant for local people, supporter of eco-tourism in the area, supporter of local schools etc.
To help make a difference in this little corner of Northern Laos, come and hang out in their training restaurant. Eat, drink and be merry, speak to Lao staff in English, support the community program, while enjoying some western food!
Good luck Bamboo lounge!
Thanks very much Maros for your kind words and for appreciating the efforts we’ve gone to, to provide free water and reduce plastic waste and to upskill local people. Much appreciated.