International Food Festival opens in Hanoi

NDO – The International Food Festival 2020 was held at Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound in Hanoi on December 6, with the participation of nearly 143 pavilions representing embassies, foreign relations departments, non-governmental organisations and foreign cultural centres in Vietnam.

The event, the eighth of its kind, was among the cultural exchange, cuisine and fundraising activities hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship Year.

The event offered chances to promote culture and cuisine of countries as well as Vietnamese regions, and to support the disadvantaged via a fundraising activity.

On showcase at 143 pavilions were traditional dishes, local specialties, books, publications, souvenir and craft products of countries worldwide and Vietnamese regions.

Visitors also had a chance to enjoy musical performances, participate in a cooking contest, and purchase traditional handicrafts from many countries.

In addition, the festival also had a humanitarian purpose, with the proceeds and donations and contributions from participating organisations and individuals to be donated to charitable activities implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A total of nearly VND3.1 billion (US$133,700) was raised in previous editions of the event, which has beendistributed to people with disabilities, orphans, poor women and those in extremely difficult situations.

The main sponsors of the food festival in previous two years were also honoured on the occasion.