Dr Sounthone Sayachack (fourth from right), Suanesavanh Vignaket (right) and business leaders cut the ribbon to launch the Lao Food Festival at Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane. - VT
VIENTIANE: The Lao Women’s Union and the Women’s Business Association on Tuesday (Jan 24)jointly launched the annual Lao Food Festival at Chao Anouvong Park in its alfresco setting by the Mekong River, this year taking the theme “Tasting Lao food, visit Laos 2024”.
The event was graced by the Vice President of the National Assembly, Dr Sounthone Sayachack, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Suanesavanh Vignaket, the spouses of top government leaders, representatives of foreign embassies in Laos, sponsors, and women business operators.
Chairperson of the Executive Board of the Women’s Business Association and the festival’s Organising Committee, Chanthachone Vongsay, said the event aimed to foster solidarity and cooperation among women entrepreneurs across the country, as well as encourage local people and foreign visitors to sample, buy and take home the delicious and diverse Lao food products on offer.
“The festival also aims to improve women’s food preparation skills and the quality of their products, especially in terms of hygiene and presentation, so they appeal to more customers and raise the profile of Lao food as a unique brand in the international market,” she added.
The festival runs for five days from Jan 23 to 27, with stalls open from 9am to 10pm each day. There are 180 stalls, including 165 offering various types of Lao food, from regional specialties to traditional dishes and desserts, and 15 stalls selling handicrafts.
There will also be live performances, demonstrations of Lao sweet making, a talk on small business management and marketing, a fruit carving contest, and a Lao dessert sale, among other activities.
This is one of the most popular events on Laos’ social calendar and is sure to attract a large number of visitors, especially as it is taking place during the Asean Tourism Forum in Vientiane this week. - Vientiane Times/ANN
