Free booths for ODOP products at boat racing festival
Introduction:Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department plans to promote local produce by allowing One District One Product calls ODOP vendors to set up exhibition booths free-of-charge during the Vientiane boat racing festival.
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Story: The festival will be organised in around two weeks time, from October 6 to 9 in Chanthabouly district. The actual boat races will take place on October 9 following the last day of Buddhist Lent but the festival will get underway on October 6 as market stalls and makeshift snack stands fill the riverside streets.
According to an official from Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department this year will be different from previous years because there will be an area for local product booths at the centre of the event area. The cost of the remaining booths will be 2.5 million kip to 3 million kip, depending on their location. However the committee was unable to put a figure on the exact number of booths to be exhibited.
This year, there are four companies with a concession over the festival area that will be responsible for equipment, decorations and reservations. There will be various souvenirs, textiles, foods and snacks and other products available at the festival.
Hundreds of food stalls will line the streets along the Mekong River offering something simple to a full meal with dining tables set up for the customers. The most popular items for the festival attendees are no other than sticky rice in bamboo famously known as Khao Laam and grilled chicken on a stick or Ping Kai.
It is t he biggest and the most significant boat racing festival in Laos. Held at the end of Buddhist lent known as Ork Phansa in Vientiane, on the Mekong River, the Vientiane Boat Racing Festival is held every year, starting from the 15th day of the 11th month according to the lunar calendar.
Source: Lao National Television News in English
Broadcast on September 30, 2014
