Seoul (VNA) – Vietnam has joined nine other ASEAN countries to showcase its besttraditional dishes at the ASEAN Culinary Festival 2018 which is currently underwayat the COEX Convention Centre in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, from November 29to December 1.

This year,Vietnam will bring the country’s iconic “pho” noodle soup and fried springrolls, or “nem ran”, to the festival.

The ASEANCulinary Festival 2018 features a live cooking show with celebrity chefs fromthe RoK and Malaysia. There will also be cuisineand beverage booths that will present information on gastronomy tourism in variousASEAN nations.

The event hasbeen annually held by the ASEAN-Korea Centre since 2016 to give Koreans abetter understanding of the traditional cuisines and culinary skills of ASEANcountries which are top priorities of the RoK’s New Southern Policy.

The food festivalis expected to foster cultural exchange between the RoK and ASEAN member states,creating closer ties among their peoples that will pave the way for more Koreanvisitors travelling to Southeast Asian nations.

According to theASEAN-Korean Centre, ASEAN member states welcome around 7 million touristarrivals from the RoK each year, who come not only for popular touristdestinations but also to taste local foods. Da Nang is emerging as one of thedestinations most favoured by Koreans.

“Nem ran” (or “cha gio” as it is known in southern Vietnam) is a tasty, traditionaldish. It is so popular that it is hard to attend a Vietnamese wedding, funeral,or Tet (Lunar New Year) party without seeing a tray loaded with these deliciousspring rolls.

Meanwhile, the “pho” noodle soup originated from Hanoi beforeit was brought to the south where people added their own influences to thedish.

A bowl of “pho” containsflat, soft rice noodles dipped in a fragrant beef or chicken broth flavoredwith different condiments. It is served with beef or chicken, shallots, andchili and lime to taste.

This year, travel site Rough Guides named “pho” among theworld’s top 15 foods that are easy on a globetrotter’s pocket, while the dishwas also listed as the world’s 20th best foodexperience by the travel publisher Lonely Planet.–VNA