BINH DUONG (VNS)  — The second Chiec Thia Vang (Golden Spoon) competition to identify the country's best chefs and dishes was launched on Tuesday by Binh Duong-based Minh Long I Company and the Business Studies and Assistance Centre.

The contest aims to discover traditional dishes and their backgrounds from each region and honour professional chefs who research into nutrition and introduce Vietnamese specialties and healthy dishes, Ly Ngoc Minh, the company's general director and chief organiser, said.

The first round will kick off on May 21 in Can Tho City, and then the competition will go on to Kien Giang, HCM City, Binh Duong, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Ha Noi, and Lao Cai.

The final is scheduled to take place in December in Binh Duong.

Cash prizes and awards worth VND3 billion (US$142,850) are on offer with the winner getting VND1 billion ($47,600).

The contest is supported by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism and Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry who are seeking to build a Viet Nam "cuisine map." — VNS