Vietnamese booth attracts attention at the 2025 International Charity Fair in Colombo (Sri Lanka)
WVR - On November 23, the Vietnamese Embassy and community in Sri Lanka participated in the 2025 International Charity Fair at the Galle Face Hotel.
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| Products at the Vietnamese booth were quickly sold out at the 2025 International Charity Fair in Colombo. |
This annual event draws significant interest from numerous diplomatic representatives, international organizations, expatriate communities in Colombo, as well as local businesses and residents. This year’s fair featured over 100 booths from various countries, showcasing a colorful array of global culture and cuisine.
The Vietnamese booth stood out with its vibrant national identity, highlighted by the red of the Vietnamese flag and traditional attire such as the red star shirts and áo bà ba. Signature Vietnamese products like phở, spring rolls, coffee, instant noodles, dried bananas, dried jackfruit, coconut candy, and bánh ít, along with handicrafts like bamboo dragonflies and leather wallets, garnered special attention from visitors.
Many were eager to taste spring rolls and phở, both considered “culinary ambassadors of Vietnam” in Sri Lanka. Notably, coffee products sold out quickly, leaving latecomers expressing regret at missing out.
Several visitors mentioned they had learned about Vietnamese products through local Vietnamese restaurants in Colombo, acquaintances, media, or during trips to Vietnam, and were excited to enjoy them at the fair or purchase them as gifts.
In an interview with Daily Mirror, Ambassador Trịnh Thị Tâm stated, “The International Charity Fair is a meaningful event that fosters cultural connections and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and other international friends. Vietnam participates annually, showcasing the most typical and unique cultural and culinary products. We are delighted to see the fondness of Sri Lankan and international friends for Vietnamese cuisine and handicrafts. This indicates that the Vietnamese brand, especially its cuisine, has become familiar and favored in Sri Lanka.”
According to Nguyễn Mai Trinh, Head of the Vietnamese Community Liaison Committee in Sri Lanka, “The fair is an opportunity for the Vietnamese community to showcase the Vietnamese spirit. As expatriates, we all wish to contribute to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people to international friends. This year, the community and the Embassy collaborated meticulously, creating a beautiful, recognizable, and proud image. Participating in the fair is not only about selling products to raise funds but also about connecting the community and spreading Vietnamese culture in the host country.”
With meticulous preparation, an impressive display space, and products rich in traditional flavors, the Vietnamese booth continued to be a highlight of the International Charity Fair in Colombo. It affirmed the appeal of Vietnamese culture and cuisine to international friends, contributing to the promotion of tourism and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people connections between the two countries.
According to Sri Lankan statistics, in the first 10 months of the year, an average of 300 Vietnamese tourists visited Sri Lanka each month, while 1,000 Sri Lankan tourists visited Vietnam. The upcoming launch of a direct flight route is expected to significantly boost these numbers.
Proceeds from sales will be sent by the Embassy and community to support flood victims in Vietnam and contribute to several charitable activities in Sri Lanka.
Some images from the Fair.
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(Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka)
