Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Tran Duc Mau praised the initiative to organise the festival which, he said, was an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to introduce its culture and gastronomy to German people, a way of bringing the two nations closer to each other.

Director of the Maritim Hotel Khaus Elftmann said he would like to have further opportunities to introduce Vietnam's culture to people in Germany.

The festival is being co-organised by Vietnam Airlines, Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh Tourism Company and the Maritim Hotel.