That Luang Festival to preserve traditions while boosting post-Covid economic recovery

Vientiane authorities are inviting businesses from China, Thailand and Vietnam to take part in the trade fair, which will take place on November 4-8 on the sidelines of the annual That Luang Festival.

Representatives of various parties attend a media conference on Wednesday on the That Luang Festival and trade fair, which will take place in Vientiane from November 4-8.

The organising committee told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that the trade exhibition aims to boost economies alongside preserving Laos’ cultural traditions.
“This year, the festivities and the trade fair will involve more exciting activities after being cancelled for the past two years because of the Covid pandemic. We have invited businesses from Vietnam to participate in the event as part of activities to mark this important year in relations between our countries,” the Director of the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department, Mrs Vanmany Phimmasane, said.
Vietnamese businesses will represent Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang, while exhibitors from Nong Khai province in Thailand and some from Kunming and Hunan province in China have also been invited to participate in the trade fair.
“We expect that turnover in the sale of products will amount to billions of kip,” Mrs Vanmany said.
Also present at the press conference were officials from the Vientiane Administration Office, Vientiane Police Office, Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Xaysettha district Office, and business representatives.
The organising committee said the trade fair will exhibit Lao-made products, enabling festival goers to buy locally made goods and provide an opportunity for businesses to build connections and set up strategic markets.
The event will also serve to strengthen the capacity of local businesses to improve their products so they become more widely accepted among Lao consumers.
“This will build confidence among local consumers and help in the development of value-added products that can generate a larger income for businesses,” Mrs Vanmany said.
The trade fair is also seen as a platform for SMEs to exchange ideas and lessons learnt, including businesses operating around Laos and those from other countries.
There will also be an exhibition of tourism products together with new innovations and an exhibition on the railway, expressways and logistics parks, as well as displays of products made in Vietnam alongside goods made under Laos’ One District, One Product scheme. These will be on display at the That Luang esplanade and That Luang festival ground.
At least 800 stalls will display and sell goods, including a wide range of food, drinks and general consumer products.
The main religious activities will begin on November 4 and end on November 8 and will include the traditional the wax castle procession, almsgiving, and hockey match.
In addition to the trade fair, there will be cultural performances, an exhibition of traditional Lao houses and a giant wax castle to mark the revival of the festival following its cancellation because of the Covid pandemic, according to the Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism Department.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 21, 2022)