The festival drew thousands of Japanese visitors and members of the Vietnamese community in the Kansai region, offering a vibrant showcase of Vietnamese culinary and cultural heritage. It featured approximately 60 booths run by 15 member units of Saigontourist, presenting a wide variety of offerings.

Chefs joined hands with Vietnamese culinary businesses in Japan to create a lavish feast of over 50 signature dishes from Vietnam’s three regions. From humble street food to exquisite regional specialties, each dish was carefully prepared to retain its authentic traditional flavours, offering Japanese visitors, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends a rich and flavourful experience of Vietnamese cuisine.

To make the experience accessible and enjoyable, food coupons were priced at a flat rate of JPY700, allowing guests to sample a variety of dishes across all food stalls.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Pham Huy Binh, chairman of Saigontourist and head of the Festival Oganising Board, noted that the festival is a testament to Saigontourist’s commitment to promoting the essence of Vietnamese culinary culture to the world.

This inaugural international edition aims to promote Vietnamese tourism and foster cooperation between Saigontourist, Vietnam Airlines, Japanese localities such as Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, and potential investors and partners, he said.

Vietnam has been honoured with prestigious accolades from the World Culinary Awards, including the title of “Asia’s Best Culinary Festival” for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024) and “World’s Best Culinary Festival” for two consecutive years (2023, 2024).

Bringing this celebrated festival brand to the international stage marks a strategic move, affirming both the global stature and cultural influence of Vietnamese cuisine, according to the CEO.

As part of the event, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka, in collaboration with Vietnamese community associations in Kansai, organised several public service activities, including free consular consultations, citizen support services, and the promotion of Vietnam’s image among Japanese locals and overseas Vietnamese.

Saigontourist Group to debut Vietnam culture and cuisine festival in Japan

VOV.VN - The Saigontourist Group Vietnam Culture & Food Festival 2025 is set to take place abroad for the first time from June 14 to 15 at Osaka’s Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, serving as a way to connect Japanese locals, overseas Vietnamese, and international visitors.