VIENTIANE, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- An annual Lao Food Festival has been launched here to attract foreign visitors to experience local food products and promote Lao food in the international market.
The festival runs for five days from Tuesday to Saturday with the theme of "Tasting Lao food, visit Laos year 2024," said Lao national TV on Wednesday.
Chairperson of the festival's organizing committee Chanthachone Vongsay said that the event aimed to foster solidarity and cooperation among women entrepreneurs across Laos, as well as encourage local people and foreign visitors to taste, buy and take home the delicious and diverse Lao food products.
"The festival also aims to improve the quality of food products, especially in terms of hygiene and presentation, so they appeal to more customers," she added.
There are 180 stalls at the event, including 165 offering various types of Lao food from regional specialties to traditional dishes and desserts, and 15 stalls selling handicrafts.
Live shows such as Lao sweet making and fruit carving will be held, as well as a discussion on small business management and marketing, and a Lao dessert sale, among other activities.
The festival is one of the most popular events in Laos and attracts many visitors as the ASEAN Tourism Forum is being held in the capital city, said the report.
