The ‘Laofood’ project, developed by a group of Laotian students who are studying at the Kon Tum City-based Da Nang University Campus, has advanced to the ongoing final round of the Da Nang Startup Runway 2018.

‘Laofood’ group members want to start up their own business in Da Nang

Jointly organised by the Da Nang University of Economics and Ireland’s Cork Institute of Technology, the annual contest aims to encourage contestants to promote their creativity in startup activities, and to take the initiative in bringing their ideas to fruition.

The contest is open to university and junior colleges students from some of the central regional cities, namely Da Nang, Hue, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 2 June.

During their stay in Viet Nam, ‘Laofood’ group members realised that the country is now home to a large number restaurants offering South Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes, but there is the dearth of Laotian food, especially ingredients and restaurants. This fact inspired the group to pursue their dream of making the distinctive Laotian cuisine spread around Viet Nam, and other parts of the globe.

The Lao food is really distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines, showing off simple processing steps and tasting very delicious. But interestingly, there are many similarities between Vietnamese and Lao cuisines. Like the Vietnamese, Laotians like salty, sour and spicy (and a little sweet), for instance.

The staple that distinguishes Lao cuisine from that of its South-East Asian neighbours is sticky rice (khao niao), which is eaten with every meal. Protein is never the focus. Sticky rice is the centerpiece of every meal, and the next important aspects are vegetables and dipping sauces.

So why do the group want to develop their ‘Laofood’ project in Da Nang? Third-year student Vilason Saiyakone, the leader of the ‘Laofood’ project, said one of the main reasons is that Da Nang is an ideal place to develop restaurants exclusively offering Lao food serving hundreds of Laotian living here, and anyone who loves the culinary culture of the landlocked, stunning country.

Moreover, these Laotian youths are very impressed by the growing startup movement in Da Nang, and in Viet Nam as a whole, with many startup development funds and support policies.

Under their project, the Laotian contestants want to introduce such appetizing dishes in Lao which are most preferred by Vietnamese gourmets as sticky rice, Laap, Khausoy, Lao noodles, and cracklings wrapped with raw vegetables.

Some ingredients for the mouth-watering foods are imported from Laos to deliver the “true” taste of their delegacies, but others can be hand-picked right in Viet Nam.

In spite of its low investment capital, ‘Laofood’ boasts its high practicality.

The Laotian competitors are planning to open a restaurant serving a variety of Lao foods in Da Nang in the coming time.

In particular, a home delivery service will be launched, allowing busy customers to try the delicious dishes without needing to visit the restaurant.