International food festival thrills gastronomy lovers in Hanoi
The 10th international food festival, an annual event by the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps since 2014, took place in Hanoi on December 11, offering visitors myriad dishes from different cultures.
Three chefs from Pakistan at a stall of the festival (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 10th international foodfestival, an annual event by the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps since2014, took place in Hanoi on December 11, offering visitors myriad dishes fromdifferent cultures.
There were over 100 stalls run by 35 embassies, foreignrepresentative agencies, and units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs anddepartments of external affairs from localities across Vietnam.
The annual event offers an occasion for cultural exchangeand mutual understanding between nations and introducing Vietnam tointernational friends. It also raises funds to support disadvantaged people,including orphans, people with disabilities, and needy women, with donations nearing5 billion VND (212,089 USD) after nine editions.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th edition, Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, the spouse of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, saidthe festival has attracted an increasing number of embassies, foreign culturalcentres, as well as local departments of external affairs and businesses overthe years.
This year’s event marks the 55th foundinganniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN (1967-2022),she said, calling the 10-member bloc a common home of close to 700 millionpeople in the region.
On behalf of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic corps inHanoi, Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi expressed his pleasure to participatein this cultural and culinary event, which demonstrates the solidarity andcloseness that ASEAN has always pursued.
"We connect and unite for the advancement of the people," hestressed.
The diplomat said cuisine connects and can also be a driving force of economic growth for countries, making animportant contribution to the economy and diplomacy./.
The International Food Festival took place in Hanoi on December 8, featuring nearly 130 pavilions run by members of the ASEAN Community, international agencies, cultural centres and foreign relations departments of Vietnamese localities and businesses.
The 2020 International Food Festival, the eighth of its kind, was held in Hanoi on December 6, as one of cultural exchange, cuisine and fundraising activities hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship Year.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Three chefs from Pakistan at a stall of the festival (Photo: VNA) 
