The Academy Pakse breaks ground: new training hotel and restaurant to boost hospitality skills in southern Lao PDR
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The Academy Pakse breaks ground: new training hotel and restaurant to boost hospitality skills in southern Lao PDR

Laos 09.06.2026 Project

The Academy Pakse breaks ground: new training hotel and restaurant to boost hospitality skills in southern Lao PDR
The Academy Pakse breaks ground: new training hotel and restaurant to boost hospitality skills in southern Lao PDR
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A milestone for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in southern Lao PDR has been reached with the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of The Academy Pakse Training Hotel and Restaurant, which is set to be built on the Pakse City campus of Champasak Technical-Vocational College. Supported by the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, this initiative reflects a strong commitment to strengthening skills development in key economic sectors.

A hands‑on training facility to build skills and careers

Inspired by the success of The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant in Vang Vieng, the Pakse facility is designed to provide a real-world, practical and hands-on hospitality training environment, equipping local youth with industry-relevant skills and opening new career pathways in tourism – one of the country’s most dynamic and labour-intensive economic sectors – while, at the same time, generating revenue from its operations to support long-term sustainability.

The Academy Pakse Training Hotel and Restaurant will offer immersive learning opportunities for students, working under the guidance of experienced teachers, to master food production, food and beverage service, as well as front office and accommodation operations, in the 10-bedroom facility. It will also feature meeting room facilities, a full-service restaurant, a coffee shop, as well as teaching, production and bakery kitchens.

The construction, outfitting and operation of the facility are estimated to cost EUR 2 million and are supported by the STAF programme, which is implemented by the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, and financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union (EU).

Voices from the ground-breaking ceremony on 3 June 2026

The Academy Pakse Training Hotel and Restaurant stands as an investment in our youth and our community. By following the successful model established in Vang Vieng, we are confident that this new facility will not only elevate professional standards in hospitality but also create meaningful opportunities for students throughout Champasak and beyond.

Mr Phomphone PHANDANOUVONG, Vice Chairman

Champasak Provincial Administrative Committee

Despite ongoing challenges facing the education sector, investment in infrastructure is desperately needed to maintain and increase motivation for both teachers and students.

Mr Robert DE WAHA, Regional Representative

LuxDev Asia Office

The Academy Pakse will provide modern, high-quality training facilities that will equip learners with practical skills that are directly relevant to the labour market, particularly in the tourism sector, which drives local economic development.

Mr Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d’Affaires

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the Lao PDR

The European Union is deeply committed to empowering youth. As part of the STAF programme, a Team Europe initiative under the EU Global Gateway, this project unites Laos, the EU, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and other partners in a shared mission: building skills for sustainable growth.

H.E. Mark GALLAGHER, EU Ambassador to Laos

Closing remarks

The investment in The Academy Pakse Training Hotel and Restaurant, alongside previous investments in similar facilities in Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, demonstrates the commitment of the Ministry of Education and Sports to strengthening the TVET system and equipping Lao youth with the skills and knowledge to elevate tourism and other sectors, and to support the country’s socio-economic development.

Dr Daravone KITTIPHANH, Vice Minister of Education and Sports

The new Academy Pakse is scheduled to be completed in July 2027, with a soft opening planned for October 2027.

About the programme

The six-year (2023–2028) STAF programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports together with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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