For most travellers local street-food will form one of the lasting memories from a trip to Indochina. The Laoation variety shares many characteristics with neighbouring Thailand, but also combines these flavours with influences from approximately 160 different ethnic groups who contribute to the complex ethnology of Laos.

This tour starts in the mid-afternoon and runs deep in to the evening. Whilst the focus is on food, it also offers a fascinating insight in to the culture of Vientiane and Laos as a whole.

We start in Lam Pai-Bay Tong, a rustic restaurant/cookery school down a quiet side street close to the Mekong River. The experienced Head Chef, Chandra, will lead a cookery class, focusing on seven local dishes using traditional ingredients and techniques. There is no need to take notes because you will be given your own recipe book, enabling you to recreate your favourites once home. Later it is time to relax and enjoy the feast which you have created together.

The evening then progresses with a walking tour, strolling through Chao Anou Park and the Night Market, both on the banks of the Mekong. Adventurous foodies can sample a huge range of local snacks along the way, with your guide on hand to explain what you are eating (or you might not want to know!).

Your guide can also recommend places to end the day with a drink – either chic wine bars or lively karaoke bars which are very popular with locals. However, our recommendation is to simply pull up a plastic chair and enjoy a BeerLao with the locals on the street.