The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has just announced that it will be implementing a new price control policy, in Vientiane Capital, on the following popular menu items in restaurants: pho, kao piek, kao pat, and kao latna.
The notice, dated 25 May, and signed by the DG of the Office of the Industry and Commerce Ministry Bansathi Thepavong, stated that the aforementioned one-dish menus (aharn jarn diew) should not exceed 15,000 kip. In the event that the customer would like a customized dish with extra serving sizes or special items, he/she may negotiate the price directly with the vendor.
The MOIC has asked the Vientiane Department of Industry and Commerce and the Vientiane Department of Information, Culture and Tourism and other relevant bodies to cooperate and ensure compliance among restaurant vendors.
The new policy is part of the government’s efforts to curb inflation and ensure that average citizens are able to pay for food and that food vendors are able to earn a fair profit from their businesses.
Food vendors that need to alter their prices must seek approval from the Vientiane Department of Industry and Commerce, by detailing the costs of their ingredients and materials.
