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| On November 21, delegates rehearsed the performance program at the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival. (Photo: Jackie Chan) |
What motivates the Embassy to continue participating in the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival? Having accompanied the Festival many times, how does the Ambassador expect this year's event to contribute to promoting the country's culinary culture?
We are deeply inspired by the meaning of the Festival, which is very much in line with the diplomatic and cultural mission that Laos is pursuing. Cuisine is a common language of friendship and understanding. Laos and Vietnam are two countries with a special relationship, bound by a long history and a common border. Participating in the Festival is an opportunity for us to go beyond the framework of official diplomacy, connecting with the Vietnamese people through a close experience through food.
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Lao cuisine reflects national identity, simplicity, harmony with nature and warm hospitality. Through the event, we hope to contribute to the cultural diversity “picture”, and at the same time introduce to Vietnamese and international friends the typical flavors of Laos.
We hope that the public will gain a better understanding of Lao culinary heritage, from traditional dishes such as larb, khao niaw, tam mak hoong, to the use of typical herbs and fresh ingredients. Ultimately, we hope that the event will enhance people-to-people exchanges, promote cultural understanding and contribute to promoting tourism and cultural exchange between Laos and Vietnam.
During the preparation for the festival, what advantages and challenges did the Embassy encounter in bringing Lao cuisine closer to the Vietnamese public?
During the preparation, we received close support from our Vietnamese partners, with the growing interest of the Vietnamese public in Lao cuisine. The close geographical location and the similarity of ingredients make it easier for us to introduce dishes that retain their original flavors.
However, we also faced some difficulties, such as transporting some special ingredients from Laos, which required careful planning to ensure the accuracy of the dish. Besides, considering adjusting the dish to suit local tastes, while still maintaining the traditional identity, was also a challenge. However, the whole preparation process was a precious opportunity for us to bring the “soul” of Lao dishes closer to our Vietnamese friends.
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| Lao dishes at the 2024 Food Festival. (Source: Lao Embassy in Vietnam) |
According to the Ambassador, what role does the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival play in enhancing friendship, cultural exchange and promoting mutual understanding between Vietnam and other countries?
The 2025 International Gastronomy Festival is of great significance in promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Vietnam and international friends, an effective form of “soft diplomacy”. Cuisine is a language that transcends all boundaries; when countries share culinary culture, they also share history, values and ways of life.
The festival creates a colorful space where embassies, cultural centers and localities directly interact. The event encourages dialogue, arouses curiosity and helps the public approach global cultures in a friendly, close atmosphere. For Laos, this is not only an opportunity to deepen the Laos-Vietnam relationship but also an opportunity to introduce Lao culinary identity to international friends, thereby promoting people-to-people and cultural exchange.
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| Laap (Larb) is a famous Lao dish. (Source: Indie Traveller) |
How does the Ambassador assess the role of female diplomats in promoting people-to-people exchanges? According to the Ambassador, what similarities and differences do ASEAN women have compared to women in other regions in promoting cultural and culinary exchanges?
Female diplomats play a unique and important role in promoting people-to-people exchanges. Their strengths in communication, empathy and cultural sensitivity help them build trust, nurture partnerships and promote dialogue, the core elements of effective diplomacy. In the field of cultural and culinary exchanges, female diplomats are often “storytellers” and “cultural ambassadors”, helping to convey the country’s heritage in an intimate and vivid way.
ASEAN women share a common appreciation for community, family and traditional cultural values, qualities that effectively support the mission of promoting cuisine, arts and national identity. What sets ASEAN women apart is their ability to balance modern diplomatic roles with traditional cultural responsibilities, nurtured by a rich multicultural background. Like women in other regions, they also bring professionalism, creativity and leadership to international cultural exchanges.
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| Laotian dish Tam Mak Houng (papaya salad) attracts young Vietnamese diners. (Source: esabai.com) |
Can the Ambassador share a memorable memory or impression from his previous participation in the festival?
One of the most lasting impressions is the enthusiasm and friendliness of Vietnamese and international visitors when enjoying Lao cuisine. Many are experiencing it for the first time. Many visitors said they had been to Laos or expressed their desire to visit soon after tasting our food. That enthusiasm affirms the power of cuisine in connecting peoples.
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| The Lao Embassy's booth is always crowded with young diners. (Source: Lao Embassy in Vietnam) |
Another memorable moment was the curious delight of the Vietnamese youth. I remember a group of students standing around the Lao booth, attentively watching the chef prepare tam mak hoong (papaya salad). They compared the familiar spicy flavor with the Vietnamese papaya salad, their eyes filled with delight. That moment filled with laughter, questions and sharing of flavors fully expressed the spirit of the festival, not only enjoying the food, but also starting conversations and connections between the young generations of the two countries, contributing to fostering the special friendship between Laos and Vietnam in the future.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-lao-phu-nu-asean-co-nhung-pham-chat-lan-toa-hieu-qua-van-hoa-qua-am-thuc-335140.html
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