Khammuan to Host Food Festival in November

Source: Vientiane Times

A raft of colorful events will form the backbone of a Lao food festival and product exhibition scheduled for November 1-5 in Thakhaek district, Khammuan province.

The provincial Governor, Mr Vanxay Fongsavan, said there will be a range of interesting activities on offer such as sports contests, displays of ethnic customs, local food, and arts.

A total of 150 stalls displaying goods from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand will aim to attract investment in Khammuan and draw more visitors from Laos and other countries to the province to stimulate economic growth.

Business and production groups will advertise and sell their goods and services and hope to form business partnerships with other producers taking part in the event, Mr Vanxay said.

The Lao food festival and product exhibition will serve to improve Lao products, especially the packaging of traditional Lao snacks which are unique, delicious, and healthy, develop brand recognition, and build the reputation of Lao food in the regional and global arenas, he added.

The event is also seen as an opportunity to encourage producers to diversify their product range and improve their standards, as well as promote their products more strongly within Laos and attract more trade and investment through the Visit Laos Year 2024 program in Khammuan province, according to the Paxason Daily newspaper.

Khammuan is home to a plethora of natural wonders including the caves Tham Nang Aen, Tham Pha Nha, Tham Pha, Tham Konglor, and Tham Xebangfay.
Sites such as Kamphengyak, otherwise known as the Giant Wall, and the Sangsou and Nam Sanam waterfalls are equally magnificent.

Phou Phamarn Hill offers adventure activities such as zip lines, a canopy walkway through the trees, and hikes led by guides through forested areas to observe wildlife.

Visitors to Khammuan should also make sure they sample some of the area’s tasty snacks. Khaonompan, which is flour mixed with beans and coconut, khaokhop – a sticky rice cake – and mam, which is pork or beef mixed with onions, chilli and herbs, are especially popular.

Also of interest to visitors are locally-made goods such as rice baskets made from woven bamboo, as well as clothing and other items made from naturally dyed cotton.

According to Khammuan authorities, the province has 198 officially designated tourist attractions of which 139 are nature-based, 30 are of cultural interest, and 29 have historical associations.