The fair has more than 600 stands and an on-site cooking programme so each country can introduce its traditional dishes.

It started with two kinds of Vietnamese spring rolls made from sweet potatoes and basa fish.

For many visitors as well as businesses attending the 2010 MIFB, it was also a real treat to have canned instant chao (rice porridge) made by Vietnam’s Minh Trung company. The dish has been very popular with consumers from Russia, the Republic of Korea, China, Brazil, Europe and Africa.

Dao Tran Nhan, an official from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that taking part in food fairs like this will help to promote Vietnam’s products and drive up the country’s exports.

However, he warned, Vietnamese enterprises must pay more attention to food safety and conform to GAP standards in order to remain competitive and secure a firm foothold in the international market.