International Food Festival serves up global flavors in Hanoi
The International Food Festival 2020 was held at Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound in Hanoi on December 6, with the participation of nearly 150 pavilions run by members of the ASEAN Community, international agencies, cultural centres and foreign relations departments of Vietnamese localities and businesses.
 |
| The event is sponsored by Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, spouse of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. |
 |
| The annual cultural and charity fundraising, hosted by the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps, aimed to enhance cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among countries. |
 |
| It also aimed to introduce Vietnam to international friends via embassies and foreign cultural centres, and to help local enterprises and provinces to promote their brands and products. |
 |
| Mexico's Ambassador Sara Valdes Bolaño said he believes the festival creates a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy food and culture from different countries, while helping participating parties enhance their mutual understanding. |
 |
| Visitors also had a chance to enjoy musical performances, participate in a cooking contest, and purchase traditional handicrafts from many countries. |
 |
| Musical performance. |
 |
| At annual International Food Festival, the Singapore Embassy showcased Singapore's diverse culinary heritage, with Hainanese chicken rice, kacang puteh, teh tarik and bandung. |
 |
| In addition, the festival also had a humanitarian purpose, with the donations and contributions from participating organisations and individuals and proceeds to be donated to charitable activities implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
 |
| So far, the previous festivals throughout the years raised nearly VND 3.1 billion (USD 133,545), which was donated to handicapped people, orphans and the poor. |
 |
| In recent years, the organisers have donated funds for the construction of Binh Thuat Kindergarten in the northern province of Yen Bai, a new bridge in the southern province of Long An, and 10 scholarships for students in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, among others. |
 | Vietnam - Australia friendship football tournament 2020 Vietnam - Australia friendship football tournament 2020 was launched on December 4 in Hanoi. |
 | 102nd National Day (Great Union) of Romania marked in Hanoi The Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) just held a gather in Hanoi to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ... |
 | Foreign runners electrified ahead of Hanoi midnight marathon Hours before VnExpress Marathon (VM) Hanoi Midnight, excited foreign participants are full of expectations for the special event. |
Related Stories
Overseas Vietnamese
Promoting Connecting Role of Vietnam’s Overseas Representative Agencies
On January 11 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Public Security held a meeting with Heads of Vietnam’s overseas representative missions appointed in 2025. At the meeting, General Luong Tam Quang, Member of the Politburo and Minister of Public Security, emphasized the bridge-building role of Vietnam’s overseas representative missions in strengthening coordination between security and foreign affairs, with a view to ensuring national security, safety, and interests in the new situation.
January 12, 2026 | 14:58
Friendship
People-to-people Diplomacy is A Pillar of Vietnam’s Diplomacy
The Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a conference to review people-to-people diplomacy work in 2025 and deploy tasks for 2026 on the morning of December 30 in Hanoi.
January 01, 2026 | 07:09
Recommended
Friendship
International Friends Congratulate 14th Congress of Communist Party of Viet Nam
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, many people’s organizations and friendship associations that are friends and partners of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations have sent letters, cables and messages of congratulations to the Party, the State and the people of Viet Nam.
January 13, 2026 | 15:28
Friendship
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam: The 14th National Party Congress to Lead Vietnam into a New Phase of Rapid and Sustainable Growth
On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh shared with VietnamTimes Magazine her assessments and expectations regarding the significance of the Congress. The Ambassador expressed her confidence that the Congress will set forth sound strategic orientations, ushering Vietnam into a phase of rapid and sustainable development, while further deepening the great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.
January 12, 2026 | 11:26
Friendship
Vietnam-Chile: Linking People-to-People Exchanges with Local Connectivity and Concrete Cooperation Models
On January 8 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association (the Association) held a conference to review its activities in 2025 and outline orientations for 2026. The conference identified a key focus on promoting Vietnam-Chile cooperation in a practical and effective manner, linking people-to-people exchanges with local connectivity and concrete cooperation models.
January 10, 2026 | 13:11
Focus
Strong Innovation to Enhance the Substantive Effectiveness of People-to-People Diplomacy in 2026
On January 9 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) convened the 14th Conference of its Presidium, 6th term, to review the results of activities in 2025 and outline key directions and tasks for 2026.
January 10, 2026 | 10:17
Friendship
Quang Ninh Union of Friendship Organizations in 2026: Organizational Strengthening
The Quang Ninh Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference on January 8 to review activities in 2025 and deploy its work program for 2026, with a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy and preparing for its 6th Congress for the 2026-2031 term.
January 09, 2026 | 14:00
Friendship
10 Highlights of Vietnam’s Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2025
The year 2025 closed with 10 outstanding highlights of the culture, sports and tourism sector, ranging from institutional breakthroughs, national-scale exhibitions, landmark milestones in journalism and culture, UNESCO-recognized heritage, Vietnam’s global cultural initiatives, a boom in arts and cinema, impressive sports achievements, to record-breaking growth in tourism.
January 08, 2026 | 15:13
Focus
Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Reviews 2025 Performance, Sets Tasks for 2026
The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference to review its work in 2025, set tasks for 2026 on January 6 in Ha Noi.
January 07, 2026 | 09:08
Friendship
Ho Chi Minh City Outlines Four Focuses to Strengthen People-to-people Diplomacy
Ha Thanh, President of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered these remarks at the Conference reviewing people-to-people diplomacy in 2025 and setting directions and tasks for 2026, held on December 30 in Hanoi.
January 05, 2026 | 08:08