The Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday held a press conference to launch the Taste of Australia 2025 program, highlighting a harmonious blend of Australian and Vietnamese culinary traditions.

This year’s program, running from March to April, will showcase the excellence of Australian products and a good combination of Australian produce and Vietnamese ingredients.

The program is aimed at marking one year since the signing of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.

Speaking at the media launch event, Deputy Consul General Brent Stewart said that the program would foster connections between Australia and Vietnam’s food and hospitality industries.

The event was held at Taste of Australia Champion Chef Ngo Thanh Hoa’s restaurant, East by Ngo Thanh Hoa, in District 3.

Chef Hoa conducted a cooking demonstration, showcasing the potential of blending Australian and Vietnamese ingredients.

He cooked a lamb dish using Australian-sourced lamb, with the combination with herbs from Vietnam such as basil, perilla, coriander, and green chili from Hoi An, creating a unique and special flavor.

Besides, he also introduced a dish pairing Australian fish with Vietnamese spices such as chili, onion, garlic, and turmeric, which are commonly used in many parts of the Southeast Asian nation.

These dishes perfectly encapsulated the culinary fusion defining the Taste of Australia 2025 program.

As part of the Taste of Australia 2025, he wished to bring a perfect combination of ingredients from both countries, contributing to the fusion of Australian and Vietnamese cuisine, chef Hoa shared.

“With Australian ingredients and the familiar spices of Vietnam, we can create a modern and diverse menu, while staying true to the distinct flavors beloved by Vietnamese palates,” he stressed.

Chef Hoa was the first Vietnam MasterChef in 2013 and is a pioneer in modern Vietnamese cuisine.

With over 20 years of experience, he has earned a reputation for blending Vietnamese culinary traditions with premium Australian ingredients, creating innovative dishes that capture the essence of both cultures.

“Taste of Australia is not just a culinary festival, but also a platform to highlight Australia’s world-class food and beverage industries, foster business connections, and inspire cultural exchanges,” Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper told the media launch.

Vietnam and Australia share a long-standing partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and strong economic ties, she said.

Over the years, the collaboration has strengthened across trade, investment, education, and innovation, shaping an increasingly prosperous relationship.

Economic cooperation between the two nations continues to flourish, with bilateral trade reaching AU$22.1 billion (US$14 billion) last year. 

The Taste of Australia 2025 is expected to reflect the shared commitment to cultural and economic cooperation between the two nations.

This year’s program features a wide array of events, throughout March to April, including a hospitality promotion, a culinary competition, a trade and consumer expo, and a prestigious gala reception, all designed to bring Australian flavors to Vietnam.

One of the key attractions of the event will be a hospitality promotion, which will take place from March 13 to April 6.

Accordingly, the Taste of Australia 2025 is partnering with 29 of the best hospitality venues in Ho Chi Minh City, allowing diners to collect stamps from five different participating restaurants for a chance to win free tickets to the Taste of Australia Gala, slated for April 12.

Initiated in Ho Chi Minh City in 2016, Taste of Australia is the annual celebration of Australia’s world-class food and beverages in Vietnam to promote premium Australian produce to Vietnamese industry and consumers, as well as reinforce Australia’s reputation as a supplier of food and beverages that are high quality, safe, and sustainable.

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