HCMC — Nguyen Huu Toan has been named Vietnam’s Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2025 (VBSIW) after winning the country’s inaugural competition dedicated to Italian wine expertise.
The finale of the VBSIW competition took place on July 25 in downtown HCMC, concluding a two-month journey aimed at elevating the sommelier profession in Vietnam. Over 60 applications were received, with 38 selected for regional semifinals held in Hanoi City, Danang City, and HCMC.
Toan, a candidate who represented Danang City, competed in the final round alongside Tran Thanh Tu of HCMC and Tran Trung Kien of Hanoi, who secured second and third place, respectively.
All three finalists advanced through eight challenges, including blind tastings, service tasks, scenario handling, and visual recognition exams.
Giuseppe Vaccarini, president of the Association of Italian Professional Sommeliers (ASPI) and a jury member, highlighted the evolving role of sommeliers as storytellers of wine history and culture. “Being a sommelier requires more than knowledge; it takes passion and the ability to deliver a memorable experience,” he said.
As the grand prize winner, Toan earned a commemorative trophy, a certificate, a scholarship to sit for the ASI Level 2 exam, and a 10-day study tour in Italy. The ASI exam is an international professional assessment for sommeliers, testing their advanced knowledge of wines, spirits, and service, and aiming to certify those capable of head sommelier roles
The two runners-up were awarded scholarships and certificates to further their professional development.
At the event, Michele D’Ercole, chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM), said the competition was a platform for young Vietnamese sommeliers to develop their professional skills and connect with industry players, including distributors, importers, and Italian producers.
Meanwhile, Consul General of Italy in HCMC Enrico Padula emphasized that the event celebrates not only talent but also cultural exchange, noting the deep heritage behind Italian winemaking. He described the event as a significant milestone in ICHAM’s efforts to bring Italian wines closer to Vietnamese consumers.
The competition aims to enhance local expertise in Italian wines while fostering stronger business and cultural ties between Vietnam and Italy. VBSIW 2025 represents the next step in promoting Italian wine culture in Vietnam and nurturing a new generation of skilled sommeliers.
Organized by ICHAM, the competition is part of a broader initiative titled “A Taste of Italian Wines,” launched in 2022. The program is supported by the Italian Embassy in Hanoi, the Italian Consulate General in HCMC, the ASPI, and the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA).
