Pilot Testing of the Spice Route Tourism in Laos

The project organized a pilot field trip to test the Spice Route tourism route in Laos from 22–25 October 2025, covering Vientiane Capital and Xiangkhouang Province. The trip aimed to explore the potential of local gastronomy, spice farms, and traditional markets as part of cultural and culinary tourism development.

Activities included visiting local markets, learning traditional food preparation such as Jaew Bong chili paste, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site Plain of Jars, and experiencing local cuisine while engaging with local entrepreneurs. The pilot trip aimed to evaluate the potential for developing a Spice Route and Gastronomy Tourism network in the Mekong region.