HCMC – A culinary festival featuring more than 500 dishes opened in HCMC on March 26, bringing together around 50 hospitality units nationwide.
The Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture Festival 2026 is being held at Van Thanh Tourist Area through March 29. It showcases regional cuisine from across Vietnam, including northern, central and southern specialties, as well as seafood, royal-style dishes and vegetarian options.
Organized by Saigontourist Group, the event introduces a “culinary journey” format instead of a traditional booth-based fair. The venue is arranged into themed spaces representing different regions and culinary traditions, guiding visitors through a structured experience.
Each zone combines food presentation with cultural elements, aiming to highlight culinary heritage through staged displays and performances. Organizers also integrated tourism promotion activities, including travel consultations and tour offerings, within the event space.
An international section includes participation from foreign entities such as the Dutch and Thai consulates. The organizers noted that international elements are designed to complement Vietnamese cuisine.
Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, chairwoman of Saigontourist Group, said that the festival is being developed into a cultural and tourism brand for HCMC and Vietnam, with expanded scale and international reach.
The event has been recognized by the World Culinary Awards as the “World’s Best Culinary Festival” for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, and “Asia’s Best Culinary Festival” from 2022 to 2025.
The festival runs daily from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission tickets cost VND200,000 per adult, including service coupons, while children under 1.2 meters enter free. Activities include booth competitions and thematic discussions on promoting Vietnamese cuisine and sustainable tourism.
