Lao Ambassador: ASEAN women are ‘cultural ambassadors’ through cuisine

On November 21, delegates rehearsed the cultural performances ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival. (Photo: Thành Long)

What motivates the Embassy to continue participating in the International Culinary Culture Festival 2025? Having accompanied the Festival for many years, what does Your Excellency expect this year’s event to contribute to the promotion of your country’s culinary culture?

We are profoundly motivated by the festival's beautiful theme, "Trip of Flavours," which aligns perfectly with our diplomatic and cultural mission. Food is a universal language of friendship and understanding. For Laos and Vietnam, our relationship is a special one, built on deep historical ties and a shared border. Participating in this festival allows us to move beyond formal diplomacy and connect with the Vietnamese people heart-to-heart through the shared experience of our food.

Lao food reflects our country’s identity, its simplicity, harmony with nature, and the warmth of Lao hospitality. By joining this year’s festival, we wish to contribute to the rich cultural diversity of the event while offering visitors an authentic taste of Lao food. We hope that through this platform, the Vietnamese and international friends will gain a larger appreciation of Lao culinary heritage, from traditional dishes such as larb, khao niaw, and tam mak hoong, to our unique use of local herbs and fresh ingredients. Ultimately, we expect the festival to strengthen people-to-people connectivity, enhance cultural understanding, and further promote tourism and cultural exchanges between Laos and Vietnam.

H.E. Mrs. Khamphao Ernthavanh, Ambassador of Laos to Vietnam.

During the preparation process, what advantages and challenges did the Embassy encounter in bringing your homeland's cuisine closer to the Vietnamese people?

In preparing for the festival, the Embassy benefited greatly from the close support of our Vietnamese partners, as well as the growing curiosity of Vietnamese people toward Lao cuisine. The geographical proximity of our two countries and the availability of similar ingredients also made it easier to present dishes that stay true to their original flavors.

However, we also faced some challenges of bringing specialty ingredients from Laos which require careful planning to maintain authenticity. Additionally, ensuring that Lao dishes are adapted to local taste preferences while preserving their traditional character required thoughtful consideration.

Despite these challenges, the preparation process has been a rewarding opportunity to bring the soul of Lao cuisine closer to Vietnamese friends.

The booth of the Lao Embassy is always bustling with young visitors. (Source: Lao Embassy in Vietnam)

Lao dishes at the 2024 Food Festival. (Source: Lao Embassy in Vietnam)

In your opinion, how does the International Culinary Culture Festival 2025 contribute to strengthening friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding between Vietnam and other countries?

The International Culinary Culture Festival 2025 plays an important role in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Vietnam and other countries around the world which consider as a masterful exercise called “soft diplomacy”.

Food is a universal language that transcends borders, and when nations share their culinary traditions, they also share their history, values, and way of life. The festival provides a vibrant platform where embassies, cultural institutions, and local communities can engage directly with one another.

It encourages meaningful conversations, sparks curiosity, and allows visitors to experience global cultures in a warm, approachable atmosphere. For Laos, this festival not only deepens Lao-Vietnam relations but also introduces our culinary identity to international friends, thereby fostering stronger people-to-people connections and cultural exchange.

Laap (Larb) is a famous and delicious dish from Laos. (Source: Indie Traveller)

How would you describe the role of women diplomats in promoting people-to-people exchanges? In your opinion, what makes ASEAN women similar to and different from women in other regions when it comes to fostering cultural and culinary exchanges?

Women diplomats play a vital and unique role in promoting people-to-people exchanges. Their strengths in communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity enable them to build trust, nurture partnerships, and facilitate dialogue - elements that are essential for effective diplomacy. In the realm of cultural and culinary exchanges, women diplomats often act as storytellers and cultural ambassadors, helping to present their nations’ heritage in relatable and engaging ways.

ASEAN women share a deep appreciation for community, family values, and cultural preservation. These qualities naturally support their efforts in promoting traditional cuisines, arts, and cultural practices. What distinguishes ASEAN women from other regions is their ability to balance modern diplomatic roles with traditional cultural responsibilities, often drawing from rich multicultural backgrounds.

While women around the world contribute significantly to diplomacy, ASEAN women frequently rely on communal collaboration, hospitality, and resilience - traits rooted in Southeast Asian cultural identity. At the same time, like women in other regions, they bring professionalism, creativity, and leadership to international cultural exchanges.

Tam Mak Houng (Lao papaya salad) attracts young Vietnamese. (Source: esabai.com)

Do you have any memorable stories or impressions related to the festival that you would like to share?

One of the most memorable impressions from the festival is the genuine excitement and warmth expressed by Vietnamese and international visitors when discovering Lao dishes, some for the very first time. Many guests shared personal stories of traveling to Laos or expressed their desire to visit after tasting our cuisine. Their enthusiasm affirmed the power of food as a connector between nations.

Another touching moment from the festival was witnessing the joyful curiosity of young Vietnamese students. I recall a group gathered at our Lao booth, intently watching our chefs prepare the tam mak hoong (papaya salad). They were fascinated by the process and their faces lit up with recognition, comparing its zest to their own "nộm đu đủ". That moment, full of laughter, questions, and shared flavours, perfectly encapsulated the festival’s spirit. It was not merely about serving food, but about sparking a conversation, a connection between the younger generations of our two nations, ensuring that our special friendship will continue to be nurtured for years to come.

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