ICHAM officially launches the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam – ICHAM officially launched the second edition of the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026 – VBSIW 2026 at Casa Italia in Hanoi.
Latest
 |
| Mr. Floris Lucio Panico, Acting Vice Chairman of ICHAM spoke at the event. (Photo: ICHAM) |
Organized under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi, the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City and Assocamerestero, in professional collaboration with the Associazione Sommellerie Professionale Italiana (ASPI) and the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA), the competition continues to serve as Vietnam's leading platform dedicated exclusively to Italian wines.
Part of A Taste of Italian Wines, the long-term project launched by ICHAM in 2022, VBSIW combines education, technical expertise, tasting and service skills, while promoting the heritage and culture of Italian wine among Vietnam's hospitality professionals.
The 2026 edition also marks an important milestone, as it will select Vietnam's first representative to compete at the Asia Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2027 (ABSIW 2027), the new regional competition created and organized by ICHAM.
The first edition of VBSIW attracted more than 60 applications nationwide, with 38 candidates competing across semi-finals in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, while the three regional finalists competed in the National Final before an audience of nearly 100 professionals from the wine, F&B and hospitality sectors.
Building on this success, VBSIW 2026 introduces a more flexible and advanced educational pathway. Its objective is not only to identify the national Champion, but also to prepare a Vietnamese representative with the knowledge, skills, composure and international communication ability required for ABSIW 2027.
Mr. Mattia Farris, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in Vietnam, stated: “VBSIW 2026 is more than a sommelier competition: it is a platform for training, professional exchange and the promotion of Italian wine culture in Vietnam. The growing interest in wine among Vietnamese consumers creates new opportunities for Italian producers. By strengthening the knowledge and skills of local wine professionals, VBSIW can help build a stronger and more sustainable presence of Italian wines in Vietnam, while bringing the expertise of Italian wine culture to a new generation of consumers.”
 |
| ICHAM officially launched the second edition of the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026 – VBSIW 2026 at Casa Italia in Hanoi. (Photo: ICHAM) |
Mr. Floris Lucio Panico, Acting Vice Chairman of ICHAM, emphasized: “Italy did not become a wine country because of its soil alone, but because generation after generation took the time to learn, to teach and to care. That is precisely what we are trying to begin in Vietnam.”
Representing technical partners, Mr. Tu Le Huy, Chairman of VSA, remarked: “From National Excellence to the Asian stage is more than the theme of VBSIW 2026. It represents a shared vision. At VSA, we hope to see more Vietnamese sommeliers confidently representing our country on regional and international stages, bringing with them not only professional excellence, but also the warmth, hospitality and cultural identity of Vietnam.”
The programme includes theoretical knowledge of Italian wines, blind tasting, wine service, food pairing, professional communication and Italian wine storytelling, following international sommelier standards. Scores from all three semi-finals will be consolidated nationally, with the top three candidates advancing to the National Final.
The VBSIW 2026 Champion will receive the official title, trophy and certificate, professional development opportunities, and the honour of representing Vietnam at ABSIW 2027.
The winner will also be awarded a professional study and immersion trip to Italy in November 2026, offering first-hand experience of Italian wine regions, producers, terroirs and winemaking traditions.
