BÌNH ĐỊNH — The second Bình Định Culinary Culture Festival will take place in Quy Nhơn City on May 1-3.

This exciting event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, National Reunification Day on April 30 and International Labour Day on May 1.

According to Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s festival aims to honour, preserve and promote the rich culinary heritage of Bình Định Province, where traditional dishes serve as a delightful bridge connecting local communities with visitors from around the globe.

With a deep passion for preserving culinary traditions, the festival presents a unique opportunity to showcase the 'hometown flavour'  of the north east coastal area, through renowned specialties such as bánh ít lá gai, tré rơm, bún song thằn and nem chợ Huyện. These dishes will be available for visitors to try, prepared live by talented local chefs, alongside culinary teams from famous hotels in the province.

Attendees will be inspired by the captivating cultural and historical stories behind each ingredient, preparation technique and artistic presentation.

The festival is set to feature over 55 booths, including four representing the culinary delights of Thailand, South Korea and Japan. Additionally, participants from provinces such as Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk, Nghệ An and HCM City will bring their unique flavours. 

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this event is a fantastic opportunity for restaurants, hotels and catering businesses both within and outside the province to engage, share experiences, and learn about modern service styles and processing trends while preserving traditional flavours. This collaborative spirit aims to enhance service quality and foster innovation in the culinary industry.

A stand-out feature of the festival will be the culinary demonstration area, where guests can watch chefs showcase their skills, from preparing ingredients to the cooking itself, all while enjoying engaging narratives about the origins and cultural significance of each dish.

The fusion of traditional and modern, local and international cuisine at the festival exemplifies Bình Định’s openness, dynamism and unique identity.  The festival also serves as a powerful message about Bình Định - which is more than just a storied 'land of martial arts' and a 'realm of poetic literature', but is also a vibrant place where culinary excellence and warm hospitality converge.  VNS