New round of teacher training underway: bakery in Vientiane, Bartending in Luang Prabang

The next team of expert trainers from Vietnam’s Hue Tourism College arrived last week to continue their efforts in strengthening vocational education for the tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR.

In Vientiane Capital, they are helping 15 teachers from around the country to upgrade their skills through a 12-day bakery course, including hands-on, technical, and theoretical knowledge, emphasising professional skills, food safety, creative techniques and how to teach these skills to their own students.

Meanwhile in Luang Prabang, another group of 15 teachers are undertaking bartending training, improving essential skills in mixology, drink knowledge, customer service, responsible alcohol service with an additional focus on improving environmental practices within bar operations.

This activity builds on Luxembourg’s long-term support of Hue Tourism College from 1999 through to 2013 and highlights the college’s successful transition from a beneficiary of capacity-building support to a provider in the region. By transferring their expertise to Lao teachers, the initiative aims to elevate the quality of vocational training in Lao PDR, ensuring that Lao students receive education that meets international standards. This not only raises the quality of training but also improves employment prospects for young people in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

This successful example of South-South cooperation highlights how long-term investments can continue to deliver impact well beyond their initial scope, showcasing LuxDev’s commitment to sustainable development and regional collaboration.

This initiative is part of the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, and implemented by LuxDev in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports.