International Culinary Culture Festival 2026: When cuisine becomes a diplomatic bridge
On the morning of November 5, in Hanoi, the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps, under Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized a press meeting to provide information about the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026.
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| Delegates attending the press meeting about the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Attending the press meeting were Madame Le Nguyet Anh, spouse of Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; Mrs. Le Thi Thiet, Vice President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association; leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors and representatives from foreign embassies, organizations, local representatives, and businesses;…
At the press meeting about the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026, Director General of the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps and Head of the Organizing Committee Ngo Phuong Nghi stated that the festival, themed “Cultural Intersection - Beyond Flavors”, is not only an occasion to honour and promote the unique values of Vietnamese and global culinary culture but also an opportunity to boost cultural diplomacy, expand international cooperation, and spread the image of a friendly, creative, and integrated Vietnam.
With the spirit of going beyond flavours, the festival aims to explore the stories, identities, and cultural values conveyed through each dish, creating a multicultural exchange space between Vietnam and international friends. This year's event is meticulously prepared, with an expanded scale featuring nearly 100 culinary booths from embassies, consulates, foreign cultural centres, local Departments of External Affairs, and major enterprises.
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| Director General of the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps and Head of the Organizing Committee Ngo Phuong Nghi provides information about the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Head of the Organizing Committee Ngo Phuong Nghi stated that in 2026, the Organizing Committee will continue to collaborate with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to implement charitable activities in a practical, open, and transparent manner.
A highlight of the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026 is the direct participation of Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam, in charitable activities on the opening ceremony stage. This activity contributes to spreading the spirit of sharing and responsibility with the community, joining hands to support those in difficult circumstances.
According to Mr. Ngo Phuong Nghi, the program has received support from 98 Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad. The Organizing Committee hopes to continue receiving voluntary support and contributions from foreign embassies and participating units at the festival's opening ceremony.
The “Proud Vietnam” space – A story of roots and national culture
Taking place just two days before Vietnam Cultural Day (November 24), the International Culinary Culture Festival 2026 dedicates a special space named “Proud Vietnam”, recreating the distinctive features of cultural life, beliefs, and national traditions.
The highlight of this space is the altar to Heaven and Earth along with the offering and incense areas, arranged artistically, solemnly, and elegantly. Traditional offerings such as banh chung, banh giay, sticky rice with chicken, banh com, banh xu xe, and many regional specialties are selected and introduced, contributing to honouring the cultural identity and culinary essence of Vietnam.
Here, Madame. Ngo Phuong Ly and other delegates and guests will participate in traditional incense offering ceremonies, expressing gratitude to their roots while spreading the beautiful cultural values of the nation to international friends.
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| Mrs. Le Thi Thiet - Vice President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association, President of the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association provides information about the program. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Emphasising the culinary highlights at this year's festival, Mrs. Le Thi Thiet - Vice President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association, President of the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association affirmed that this year's festival particularly focuses on honouring the values of Vietnamese culinary culture in the process of international integration. In recent years, Vietnamese cuisine has been increasingly appreciated in the international market, with many dishes being recognized and ranked in impressive positions.
The festival will bring together elite Vietnamese culinary artisans, internationally awarded chefs, domestic super chefs, and young chefs striving to create, preserve, and spread the stories of Vietnamese culinary culture.
Regarding the dishes, Mrs. Le Thi Thiet stated that Vietnamese banh mi will be one of the notable highlights. This dish has recently received many positive reviews and has been widely promoted by young chefs to international friends through culinary competitions, achieving outstanding accomplishments.
Through the participation of artisans and craft villages, the festival will create a space that truly reflects the essence of Vietnamese culinary culture through traditional culinary heritage.
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| The International Culinary Culture Festival 2026 will gather elite Vietnamese culinary artisans and internationally awarded chefs. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Not only introducing dishes, the festival also focuses on conveying deeper values of culinary culture, from processing techniques, ingredient selection, the use of distinctive Vietnamese spices, to the history and cultural stories associated with each region.
Artisans, chefs, and super chefs will directly perform, introduce, and share with the public, especially international friends, about the origins, values, and identities of each dish.
This is also an opportunity for Vietnamese chefs to interact and exchange experiences with international chefs from countries participating in the festival, thereby promoting the integration and exchange of culinary cultures.
| The International Culinary Culture Festival 2026 is expected to take place over two days from November 21-22, at the Diplomatic Corps Area - 298 Kim Ma, Ngoc Ha, Hanoi. The program will serve as a cultural-diplomatic bridge, connecting culinary traditions through each dish, from traditional flavors to modern creativity, affirming the role of cuisine in fostering friendship and international cooperation. |
