The 2024 International Food Festival is scheduled to take place at the Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi on December 7 and 8, with the participation of over 60 nations and territories.

The fest, having ‘Gastronomy of Unity' as its theme, will showcase banh mi from Vietnam’s three regions, indicating the variety of Vietnamese cuisine through one of its most iconic dishes.

Banh mi is a Vietnamese baguette filled with pate, cold cuts, herbs, cucumber, chili sauce, and pickles.

Hoang Thai Ha, chairman of the Trade Union of the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps and deputy head of the festival’s organizing board, told a press briefing on Thursday to introduce the event that it will popularize the culinary beauty of participating nations.

The event will also honor the cultural allure of Vietnam, promote cultural diplomacy and the nation’s image, and enhance the Southeast Asian nation’s spirit of international cooperation.

A display of banh mi from Vietnam’s three regions will be among the highlights.

Despite all being called banh mi, the tastes of the dish's versions differ greatly between the southern, northern, and central regions. Similarly, many other Vietnamese dishes vary tremendously by region.

Other dishes sure to be a hit include cha gio (spring rolls), pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), and numerous regional specialties from Hanoi and the northwestern, central, and southern parts. 

Visitors will also be able to sample Vietnam’s wide range of spices and condiments, including fish sauce.

“Chefs have created multiple dishes seasoned with fish sauce to suit foreigners’ tastes while maintaining the distinctive features of Vietnamese cuisine,” said Le Thi Thiet, a member of the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association and chairwoman of the Nam Dinh Culinary Culture Association.

The International Food Festival has been held annually since 2014, attracting the participation of embassies from many nations, foreign cultural centers, localities, and enterprises.

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