The event marks the first time representatives of Hanoi cuisine will compete at one of Asia’s leading professional culinary contests.

During the ceremony, team members offered incense in tribute to the country’s cultural traditions while expressing their determination to introduce the essence of Hanoi cuisine to international friends.

At the event, Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, said participation in the regional culinary competition carries professional significance and contributes to promoting Vietnamese culture and the country’s image abroad.

According to Nguyen Tien Dat, cuisine has long gone beyond food itself to become part of cultural identity and a special language connecting people around the world. Cuisine is now among the key factors attracting tourists, especially international visitors, many of whom come to Vietnam not only for its landscapes but also to experience the cultural values embedded in traditional dishes, Dat emphasized.

“When international visitors think of Vietnamese cuisine, they think of sophistication, harmony and cultural depth. Hanoi cuisine, meanwhile, is known for its elegance, refinement and the distinctive character of a thousand-year-old capital,” he said, citing dishes such as Hanoi pho (Hanoi-style noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), nem (fried spring rolls), cha ca (grilled turmeric fish with dill) and egg coffee as culinary specialties that have helped strengthen the appeal of Hanoi and Vietnam to international visitors.

Nguyen Tien Dat added that building, developing and promoting a talented team of chefs helps advance the profession while also introducing Vietnamese culture and the country’s image to international friends.

Ha Hai Doan, Chairman Ha Noi Professional Chef's Guild under the Hanoi Tourism Association, expressed confidence that the team will achieve positive results in Thailand under the guidance of experienced coaches and through the chefs’ talent, determination and passion for the profession.

He went on to say that the dishes prepared for the competition will highlight culinary techniques while conveying stories about Vietnamese culture and the elegance and refinement associated with Hanoi people.

The Hanoi chefs’ team was officially launched on January 23, 2026, bringing together talented chefs from across the capital. The initiative aims to promote Hanoi and Vietnamese culinary culture while helping chefs learn modern international culinary techniques and trends. The coaching board is led by chef Nguyen Cong Chung, executive chef of Sheraton Hanoi Hotel.

Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2026 will take place in Bangkok from May 26 to 30, featuring competitions among leading chefs from across Asia, where participants will demonstrate culinary skills, creativity and the distinct culinary identities of their countries.

Vietnamese chefs bring home 15 medals at Culinaire Malaysia

VOV.VN - The Vietnamese national chef team has won one gold, six silver and eight bronze medals, along with an individual cup, at Culinaire Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia’s leading biennial culinary competitions.