Lao Food Festival marks 20 years, raises global awareness of Lao cuisine

The 2025 Lao Food Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a focus on promoting Lao cuisine globally, and is expected to generate 7 billion kip in revenue.

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism and Minister of Industry and Commerce browse goods on display at the Lao Food Festival.

The festival is organised by the Lao Women’s Union in partnership with the Women’s Business Association under the theme “20 Years of Lao Food Festival Success, Continuing to Advance Internationally”.
The event is taking place from January 22-26 at Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane and is open every day from 9am to 10pm.
Ms Naly Sisoulith, the wife of President Thongloun Sisoulith, attended the opening ceremony along with the President of the Lao Women’s Union Central Committee,  Mrs Aly Vongnobountham; the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket; Minister of Industry and Commerce, Malaithong Kommasith and other senior officials.
President of the Women’s Business Association and Chairwoman of the organising committee, Mrs Chanthachone Vongxay, said Lao cuisine reflects the lifestyle of the Lao people and the festival aims to preserve and promote Lao cuisine internationally.
“We have been organising this festival for 20 years. The main aim is to gather together both Lao and foreign food providers, including food vendors from across the country, and promote local dishes to wider groups of buyers,” she said.
“Our aim is to introduce Lao cuisine on the global stage. We are currently preparing the necessary documents, although the details remain undisclosed,” she added.
The festival is an opportunity for Lao food producers to expand their customer base, particularly among foreign visitors.
Ms Khanthong, a producer of traditional Lao herbal medicine, said participating in the festival has helped her reach more customers.

“This year, Chinese tourists have shown great interest in our products, which has inspired me to study the Chinese market and make plans to export to China in the future,” she said.
This year’s event features 180 stalls, including 165 showcasing Lao food and drinks, and 15 stalls selling handicrafts.
A talk titled “Lao Food for Health” and a cooking competition named “Bring Lao Food for Lunch” are included in the programme. The organisers aim to advertise Lao cuisine at international events and feature Lao food at the upcoming 4th General Assembly of the Lao Women’s Business Association.
The festival has received financial and material support from 38 sponsors, including Lao Brewery Company Ltd., Dao Heuang Company Ltd., and the Lao Agriculture Promotion Bank.
The President of the Central Executive Board of the Lao Women’s Union presented awards and certificates to sponsors in recognition of their contributions.
Members of the public have praised the Lao Businesswomen’s Association for organising the Lao Food Festival each year and for giving local producers an opportunity to overcome the financial challenges they face.
The festival not only boosts sales and public spending but also makes Laos and Lao culture more widely known in other countries, which in turn helps to strengthen tourism and the economy as a whole.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 27, 2025)