From a small farm in Muang Fuang to the ASEAN stage: the journey of Bounlam Meethong

From a small village in Vientiane Province (Lao PDR) to the international stage of the ASEAN Skills Competition, Bounlam MEETHONG’s story is one of determination and opportunity. Thanks to vocational training supported by the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, she transformed her future, gaining practical skills that led to national recognition and a promising career in hospitality. Her journey highlights how strengthened skills development systems can empower young people, create pathways to employment, and inspire entire communities.

At just 20 years old, Bounlam MEETHONG has already travelled far beyond anything she imagined growing up in Phong Beng village, Muang Fuang District, Vientiane Province. Born into a family of farmers, she spent her childhood studying, helping in the fields and dreaming of opportunities her family’s modest income could not easily provide. The turning point came when the Technical College of Vientiane Province visited her village as part of its student recruitment community and outreach campaign.

Teachers presented training options in a range of subject areas, including tourism and hospitality, and the employment pathways they could open. “They explained what we could learn and how it could lead to a stable job and career. I felt inspired, ” she recalls. She enrolled in a higher diploma in Hospitality, specialising in restaurant operations, at the College’s Vang Vieng campus in October 2023.

At the college, Bounlam entered a professional training environment that was being enhanced through support from the STAF programme. Improved facilities, better trained teachers and a close partnership with The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant, an on-campus, real-world training facility, were shaping students’ learning experiences, ensuring more practical and industry-relevant training.

Bounlam learned everything from table set-ups, barista and bartending skills to international and Lao cuisine, hygiene and safety, and customer service – and quickly put these skills into practice. She began working part-time at The Academy after class, stepping into the kitchen, first as an assistant cook and then as a chef, and sometimes also helping to serve VIP guests. 

Bounlam's dedication stood out. Encouraged by her teachers, she entered the college’s skills competition in professional cookery and won first place among 25 participants. This qualified her for the National Skills Competition in April 2025, where she competed against nine young chefs from across the country and earned second place at national level!

During the award ceremony, top performers, including Bounlam, were selected to represent Lao PDR at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 – a regional skills competition in which young people from all ASEAN countries compete in various fields such as professional cookery, hospitality skills, engineering, information technology and more, showcasing excellence in vocational skills and promoting regional cooperation. It was an opportunity that took Bounlam abroad for the first time in her life. With guidance from her teachers, she prepared intensively before flying to the Philippines in August 2025.

After three days of high-pressure cooking competitions, she earned the Best of Nation Award, recognising her as the highest-performing Lao competitor across all skill categories. 

Her return home was met with pride and enthusiasm. Teachers, friends and community members celebrated her achievement, and she received many messages from young people asking about her path, her studies and how she had progressed so quickly. To them, especially those who may be vulnerable or marginalised for various reasons, she offers simple and sincere advice: 

After graduating, Bounlam secured a position at Yuzhou Smart Hotel in Vientiane Capital, part of an international hotel chain. As the hotel prepares to open fully, she currently works in procurement while assisting the kitchen team when needed. Once operations expand, she will transition to a chef role. Her starting salary – six million kip per month, with accommodation and meals provided – is an important step towards financial independence.

Her success inspired her younger sister to pursue vocational training and a career in hospitality as well. She recently completed a three-month Level 1 Certificate in food and beverage service – also supported by the STAF programme – and now works in a boutique hotel in Vang Vieng.

Bounlam speaks with pride about her journey and is clear about the role her education has played. 

Her journey – from a small farm in Muang Fuang to the ASEAN Skills Competition stage – shows how strengthened vocational skills development systems, supported by the STAF programme, can create opportunities that transform lives, families and communities.

The STAF programme is cofinanced by the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union. It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports, and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.