HCMC – The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) has launched the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2025 (VBSIW 2025).
Supported by the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi and the Consulate General of Italy in HCMC, and jointly organized with the Association of Italian Professional Sommeliers (ASPI) and the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA), the contest aims to deepen local expertise in Italian wines and strengthen cultural and trade relations between Vietnam and Italy.
The launch event, held on May 31, gathered nearly 50 guests, including Italian Consul General in HCMC Enrico Padula, wine importers, distributors, food and beverage professionals, and industry experts.
In his opening remarks, ICHAM Chairman Michele D’Ercole emphasized the rising demand for Italian wines in Vietnam. He noted that wine is a key sector in Italy’s export strategy, with Vietnamese consumption of Italian wine increasing steadily in recent years. D’Ercole described the competition as more than a tasting event, positioning it as a platform for knowledge sharing and cultural exchange.
Italian Consul General Enrico Padula highlighted the competition’s role in promoting Vietnam-Italy relations. He praised the deep knowledge Vietnamese sommeliers have developed about Italian wines, from grape varieties to production methods. He added that the event would provide a prestigious platform for sommeliers to demonstrate their skills and elevate public awareness of Italian wine culture.
The competition will include preliminary and training rounds in June, semifinals on July 8 in Hanoi, Danang, and HCMC, and the final and gala event on July 25 in HCMC.
Candidates must be sommeliers, bartenders, or food and beverage professionals aged 21 to 40 with at least one year of experience. Knowledge of Italian wines is preferred.
The winner will receive the VBSIW 2025 title, a training course in Italy, a trophy, a certificate, and sponsor gifts. Runners-up will be awarded scholarships and certificates.
Italy was Vietnam’s second-largest wine supplier in 2024, with imports exceeding US$20 million. The competition is expected to help Italian wines gain a stronger foothold in the growing Vietnamese market.
Italy was the second-largest wine exporter to Vietnam in 2024, with value at over US$20 million. As Vietnam’s appetite for wine continues to grow and the food and beverage sector becomes increasingly sophisticated, VBSIW 2025 is expected to further strengthen the presence of Italian wines in the market.
The competition is part of the broader A Taste of Italian Wines initiative launched in 2022 by ICHAM. Since its inception, the program has organized a series of masterclasses and tasting tours. These activities have played a key role in building bridges between Italian wine producers and Vietnam’s professional community.
VBSIW 2025 represents the next step in promoting Italian wine culture in Vietnam and nurturing a new generation of skilled sommeliers.
