World Culture Festival in Hanoi Raises VND 2.5 Billion for Flood Victims
	Closing Ceremony of the First World Culture Festival in Hanoi

This year’s festival, themed “Trip of Flavors - A Journey of Taste Across Continents,” celebrated the distinctive values of Vietnamese and international cuisines while showcasing the image of a friendly, creative, and deeply integrated Viet Nam.

A baked pastry prepared by a Sri Lankan chef at the Festival. (Photo: People's Newspaper)

The 2025 edition was meticulously prepared and marked the largest scale to date: 128 booths from 50 embassies, 20 provincial foreign-affairs agencies, 8 units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with various international organizations and enterprises. According to the organizers, the event welcomed nearly 20,000 visitors who explored and enjoyed hundreds of diverse dishes from across continents.

With its open, vibrant layout and numerous innovative activities, the Festival not only honored culinary excellence but also underscored the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening friendly ties, promoting multilateral cooperation, and spreading the image of a modern Viet Nam.

Hoang Thu Nga, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the International Culinary Culture Festival 2025. (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

Hoang Thu Nga, Deputy Head of the Festival’s Organizing Committee, noted that following the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ leadership, the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps worked closely with relevant units to organize a more expansive, structured, and creative edition. “The Festival offers a ‘miniature world culinary map’, where visitors can embark on a taste journey from Asia to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Every dish tells a cultural story, serving as a bridge that helps people better understand the world around them,” she emphasized.

According to Hoang Thu Nga, cuisine has long transcended material value to become a cultural symbol - a “common language” that connects people. For this reason, the International Culinary Culture Festival has played, and continues to play, the role of a “soft bridge” in diplomatic activities, where each booth acts as a cultural ambassador and each dish embodies the identity of a nation.

Energetic and engaging Russian friends showcasing the culture and cuisine of their country. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

In the context of deepening global integration and increasing international uncertainties, events like this Festival hold special significance: they not only create spaces for connection and discovery but also help reinforce friendship and mutual understanding between Viet Nam and international partners. The rich culinary experiences, infused with cultural interaction, conveyed the message of a hospitable, creative, modern yet culturally rooted Viet Nam.

For the first time, the festival integrated extensive digital technology to enhance visitor experience. The “Digital Interaction Corner” provided a booth map, information on signature dishes from each country, highlights of the event, and various modern multimedia experiences.

International visitors enjoy the culinary spaces at the Festival. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Alongside this were creative activities such as the Borderless Culinary Diary, Fashion Food Show, Global Beer Fest, the ASEAN Shared Home Space, the Global Culinary Avenue, and the Three Regions of Viet Nam zone - together forming a multi-layered showcase where cuisine intertwined with music, fashion, culture, and technology, offering the public a fully immersive experience.

Taking place during the lively end-of-year festive season, the International Culinary Culture Festival 2025 became a standout cultural-diplomatic event in Hanoi, attracting widespread interest from locals, tourists, and the diplomatic community. It was not only a “world tour through taste” but also an opportunity for the public to truly experience the soft power of cuisine in connecting people and spreading global cultural values.

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