International Culinary Culture Festival 2025: Palestinian Ambassador shares his delights

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama affirmed that the nternational Culinary Culture Festival 2025 is an opportunity to exchange and learn about the culinary cultures of various countries. It is also a venue for international friends residing in Hanoi to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture. (Photo: Thanh Long)

More than 120 booths from Embassies, Consulates, foreign cultural centers, local Departments of Foreign Affairs, domestic businesses, and international organizations will participate in the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival, taking place over two days from November 22-23 in Hanoi.

On this occasion, The World and Vietnam Report interviewed Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama about the significance of this year's Festival.

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How does the Ambassador evaluate the significance of the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival with the theme "Trip of flavours - A journey of flavours around the world"?

The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Vietnam, along with other foreign embassies operating in Vietnam, is very excited and proud to have been invited to participate in a meaningful cultural event in the heart of Hanoi, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

For me, Vietnam places great importance on culture and always considers it a solid foundation for developing relationships between the S-shaped country and other nations worldwide. Therefore, the upcoming cultural event in Hanoi will be a meaningful opportunity not only for foreigners living and working in Vietnam but also for many Vietnamese people.

This is an occasion to exchange and learn about the culinary cultures of various countries. It is also a venue for international friends residing in Hanoi to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture.

Therefore, this is an extremely meaningful event, and we always accompany the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in such activities.

What unique features will the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Vietnam bring to this International Culinary Culture Festival, and how is the preparation going, Ambassador?

Since the inception of the culinary festival in Hanoi organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Vietnam has participated every year.

As I mentioned, this is a meaningful event that provides an opportunity to explore and learn about the culinary cultures of various countries, especially Vietnamese culinary culture. This year's festival is even more special as all the funds contributed by the embassies for the event will be used for charitable purposes. Therefore, I am extremely proud to participate in such activities, through which we can send meaningful gifts to orphans and families in special circumstances.

I highly appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we will continue to accompany the Festival to make the atmosphere of Hanoi in the coming autumns more vibrant, opening opportunities for the Vietnamese people to delve deeper into the culinary cultures of various countries.

International Food Festival 2024. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Currently, as I know, more than 50 embassies will participate in the International Culinary Culture Festival. This is a significant number, reflecting the interest of international friends. As for the Palestinian Embassy, this year we will bring some typical Palestinian dishes such as Falafel, Hummus, and a dish that many Vietnamese people are interested in and want to learn about, Maqluba.

Maqluba is a popular, familiar dish in every Palestinian family. It includes vegetables, rice, chicken or lamb, beef; mixed together and eaten with salad or yogurt.

For me, the cuisine of each country reflects its culture and agricultural conditions. Palestine is the homeland of olives, so all Palestinian dishes will include olives. This vegetable is particularly beneficial for health.

I am confident that through the dishes we display and introduce, Vietnamese people will have the opportunity to learn more about a determined nation fighting for freedom. Therefore, I hope Vietnamese friends will visit our booth to learn about the country and especially Palestinian cuisine.

Could the Ambassador send a wish to this year's Culinary Culture Festival?

I believe that with the efforts of the organizing committee and the enthusiastic participation of the embassies, this year's International Culinary Culture Festival will be a great success.

I also wish all those involved in the preparation and organization abundant health, and I wish this festival in Hanoi a splendid success.

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