An international culinary festival opened in Section B of 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday evening, luring thousands of local and foreign diners.

The “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival, which will run through Saturday, is the 10th annual festival of its kind held by the municipal Department of Tourism as part of the city’s promotional program.

According to the department, the event offers a diversity of typical dishes from various countries around the world through attractions such as on-site food processing, the "5 Star Chef" mini-festival, a test for the establishment of a Vietnamese Guinness record in vegetarian dishes and a competition for bartenders in the city.

There are about 120 booths from 60 businesses including hotels and restaurants, representing cuisine from more than 20 countries and territories around the world, said the department.

It is also a fascinating playground with various cultural activities such as ethnic art performances, folk games, and other art forms introducing the costumes and traditional music of many neighboring countries in the region, according to the department.

The organizer expects to welcome 300,000 visits during the event.

A foreign cook makes a type of wrapped Malaysian food at the Banana Leaf Saigon booth at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

A Vietnamese visitor waits for his food at a Thai food booth at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

Diners wait their turn at a grilled food booth at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

A foreign man tastes a kind of Vietnamese traditional wine at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

Local visitors choose their favorite types of sushi at a booth selling Japanese food at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

A local woman (R) takes sauce used with her spring roll from an employee at a booth selling Vietnamese food at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

Vietnamese visitors look for their food at a booth selling Indian food at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

A Vietnamese man (L) talks with his foreign friend while downing beer at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

A Vietnamese woman (R) chooses the ingredients for her meal at a booth selling Vietnamese hotpots and grilled food at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

Local and foreign visitors wait for their egg pan cakes at a booth selling Taiwanese food at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

Foreign visitors pay for their portions at a booth selling American burgers at the “Taste of the World 2015” culinary festival. Photo: Thoai Tran/Tuoi Tre News

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