Culture comes alive at Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival

Organised by Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, this year’s festival is themed "Hanoi Connects the World" and builds on the success of its three previous editions. The event runs for three days, from November 29 to December 1, with booths operating from 9am to 10pm.

The festival features participation from 16 embassies representing countries such as Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Laos, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, South Korea, France, Italy, and Venezuela. It also includes eight provinces and cities: Ha Giang, Son La, Lang Son, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, and Quang Binh. Over 80 booths showcase a vibrant collection of international and regional culinary offerings.

The launching event of the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024 took place at Thong Nhat Park on November 29. Photo: Ho Ha

A key highlight this year is the “Digital Pho Hanoi” programme, designed to preserve and promote the city’s traditional pho as a creative cultural product in the digital era. This initiative ensures that Hanoi’s iconic dish thrives while expanding its global reach.

Throughout the event, participants from Hanoi, international delegations, and local provinces aim to celebrate, preserve, and promote regional specialities. Visitors can explore Hanoi’s rich culinary heritage through traditional dishes while engaging in activities that highlight the city’s unique culture. The festival also serves as a platform for sharing and reinforcing Hanoi’s heritage, strengthening its position on the global culinary map.

During the opening ceremony, Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People’s Committee, said, “Through this event, organisations, individuals, and artisans have the opportunity to connect and promote their products while experiencing the unique culinary traditions of various countries. It also offers the public and tourists a chance to engage in folk games, enjoy both traditional and modern cultural performances, and interact with renowned chefs and artisans who transform ingredients into culinary masterpieces full of national identity."

The 2024 festival also marks a significant milestone in Hanoi’s culinary heritage. Alongside traditional crafts such as Me Tri’s green rice flakes, Phu Thuong’s sticky rice, and Quang An’s lotus tea, “Hanoi Pho” has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

“This recognition is a source of pride for artisans and food lovers alike,” Ha said. “The inclusion of pho in the national heritage list provides a legal foundation to protect and promote the cultural value of Hanoi’s pho.”

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