Mission Completed: Spice Route Festival 2026 Connecting Cultural Food Routes in the Mekong Region

Spice Route Festival 2026

The Spice Route Festival, held on 17–18 January 2026, successfully brought together cultural food traditions from across the Mekong region. The event featured two discussion forums, one Chef’s Table dinner with chefs from four countries, 10 workshops, 5 food demonstrations, and 4 spice booths, showcasing the diversity of spices, cuisine, and cultural heritage.

International Partners from the Mekong Region

The project sincerely thanks partners from four Mekong countries, including:

• Dr. Song Lei and Dr. Yaya Yin from the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China
• Kye Mon Lwin and Phyo Zar Thwin from Kokkoya Organics, Myanmar
• Anousone Phimmachanh from Tiddin Social Enterprise, Laos
• Dr. Prateep Panyadee and Dr. Ratchuporn Suksathan from the Botanical Garden Organization of Thailand

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was presided over by Ms. Pennapa Kanchana, Inspector General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Associate Professor Dr. Suriyajarat Techatanaminaskul, Vice President of Maejo University, delivered the welcome remarks.

Special Forum

A highlight of the festival was the forum titled “Special Forum on Connecting Cultural Food Tourism Routes in the Mekong Subregion Countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.” The discussion brought together distinguished representatives from diplomatic missions and regional authorities to exchange perspectives on cultural food tourism in the Mekong region.

Regional Collaboration

The event also received valuable support from government agencies, tourism organizations, business associations, media partners, chefs, researchers, artists, and community networks from across the Mekong region, celebrating the shared heritage of spices, cuisine, and cultural tourism.