Hanoi reaches out to "Asian Culinary City"

– Hanoi continues to make its mark on the global culinary map when it was honored as “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025”. This title not only affirms the attraction of the Capital but also affirms the stature of Vietnamese culture in the international arena.

Hà Nội vươn tầm — *La Vong Fish Cake dish taken by Lee DongBeom (Korean tourist) in Hanoi . Photo: VGP/Minh Anh*

At the 6th World Culinary Awards held in Italy, Hanoi was honored as “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025”. At the same time, Vietnam won the “Asia’s Best Culinary Destination 2025” award, while Capella Hanoi restaurant was named in the “World’s Best Brunch Spot” category.

This is the third consecutive year that Hanoi has been named in one of the world’s most prestigious culinary awards – a testament to the strong influence of Vietnamese cuisine on the global culinary map. Ms. Rina van Staden, Director of the World Cuisine Awards, affirmed: “The 2025 winners demonstrate a spirit of constant innovation, honoring creativity and elevating the global culinary experience. Hanoi is a typical example of the harmony between tradition and modernity, between local flavors and professional service style”.

According to the Information Center (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), along with Hanoi, the Vietnamese Cuisine Culture Festival - Delicious Vietnamese Dishes of Saigontourist Group was also awarded the "World's Leading Food Festival 2025". Three consecutive victories show that Vietnamese cuisine not only attracts tourists with its unique flavors but is also being professionalized and upgraded to become a key cultural economic sector.

From pho, bun cha, nem ran to banh mi, egg coffee, Hanoi cuisine brings together the quintessence of many regions, combining sophistication in preparation and a balanced philosophy in each dish. With fresh ingredients, harmonious seasoning and rustic yet beautiful presentation, Hanoi cuisine conquers even the most demanding diners.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice President of Hanoi Tourism Association, said: “Hanoi cuisine has gone beyond the role of a tourism support industry. It is the soul, a cultural ambassador telling the story of the people, history and life of the capital. Each dish carries the message: Hanoi does not need to be embellished to be attractive, but simplicity is what makes it classy.”

The resilience of “Event City” and sustainable development strategy

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, in the first 10 months of 2025, the capital welcomed more than 28 million visitors, an increase of nearly 22% over the same period. Of which, 6.17 million were international visitors, the highest number in the past 5 years. Total revenue from tourism reached nearly 9,930 billion VND.

Ms. Dang Huong Giang, Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism, said: “We identify cuisine as a pillar in the strategy of developing cultural and creative tourism. The title of “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City” is a worthy reward for the efforts to position Hanoi’s tourism brand with cultural heritage, experiences and unique flavors.”

In recent times, Hanoi has continuously organized large-scale events such as the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2025, the World Culture Festival, the Hanoi Beverage Festival, and the Vietnam-France Cuisine Week, attracting millions of visitors. Each event is not only an opportunity to promote the image but also a space for artisans, chefs and businesses to express their creativity, contributing to improving the quality of culinary tourism products.

Among them, the Hanoi Beverage Festival 2025 at the Tay Ho Cultural and Creative Space is considered a memorable highlight. With more than 80 booths recreating ancient culinary spaces, from lotus tea shops, egg coffee to beer trading, the event attracted over 20,000 visitors, most of whom were international tourists. This model combining heritage and creative experiences is considered a new direction to help Hanoi "rejuvenate" its culinary brand, bringing tradition into the modern flow.

Not stopping there, Hanoi is implementing the communication campaign “Essence Convergence”, introducing typical tourism products associated with cuisine, culture and creativity. In parallel, culinary tours such as “Flavors of the Old Quarter”, “The Story of Hanoi Pho”, or “Sweet Night of West Lake”… are being exploited by travel agencies, gradually becoming typical products attracting international visitors.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat: “The appeal of Hanoi does not lie in luxury, but in very familiar values such as a bowl of pho in the morning, a cup of coffee in the afternoon, a meal in the old quarter. If properly planned, preserved and communicated, street food will become a soft brand, creating a distinct competitive advantage for the capital.”

Keeping the spirit, reaching international level

From a cultural perspective, Hanoi cuisine is a symphony of memory and creativity. Dishes such as Thanh Tri rice rolls, La Vong fish cakes or Bat Trang village dishes have just been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritage, affirming the lasting value of folk knowledge.

Mr. Lee DongBeom, a Korean tourist who has been to Vietnam many times, shared: “During a recent visit to a restaurant near Hoan Kiem Lake, I had the opportunity to enjoy Cha Ca, a famous traditional dish of Hanoi. The dish is made from freshwater fish, fried until golden brown, served with herbs, dill, green onions, rice noodles and a rich dipping sauce.

As a Korean in his 40s, I found this dish very tasty thanks to the soft and fragrant fish. Although it is a freshwater fish, the fish meat is firm, clean, and has no unpleasant smell. The combination of fresh herbs and vegetables enhances the natural flavor of the fish. The combination of flavors – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and fragrant with herbs – is truly memorable. This is one of the best dishes I have ever tried in Vietnam, and I would definitely want to try it again. Cha Ca has left a deep impression on me as a unique part of Hanoi’s rich culinary culture.”

Mr. Taka from Japan shared: “It has been more than ten years since I first came to Vietnam. Because of work, I often eat Vietnamese food, and among the dishes in Hanoi, my favorites are pho and the famous bun cha. Hanoi pho is quite different from other provinces — the broth and saltiness are perfectly balanced, the aftertaste is light and refreshing. It is a taste that I can enjoy every day without getting bored. Hanoi bun cha is also very special. The spice of the grilled meat, combined with the slightly sweet fish sauce and fresh vegetables, creates an addictive blend. When fried dishes are added, the contrast in textures further enhances the overall flavor. I also find it interesting that many Vietnamese dishes use rice instead of wheat flour. The combination of chewy and crunchy textures, along with the flavors that complement them, makes Vietnamese cuisine truly unique and appealing.

Besides the appeal of traditional culinary culture, Hanoi also proves its integration capacity when a series of international standard restaurants have been established. Capella Hanoi, Tam Vi, Home Moc, or Hibana by Koki are highly appreciated by experts for their creativity in "retelling" the story of Vietnamese cuisine in modern culinary language.

Time Out magazine (UK) recently ranked Hanoi second in the list of 10 cities with the best street food in Asia in 2025, just after Penang (Malaysia). According to this magazine, "the value of Hanoi's cuisine lies in the simplicity of the sidewalks, where the best dishes are created in the simplest spaces".

From street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants, from a simple bowl of pho to a luxurious brunch at the Capella Hotel, Hanoi is creating a multi-layered culinary picture, where the past and present intersect, where tradition and creativity flourish together.

Hanoi cuisine today is not just about taste, but also about the way the city tells its story through the language of taste and memory. The title “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025” is not only a source of pride, but also a commitment of Hanoi on the journey of preserving, developing and bringing Vietnamese culture to the international level.

With a creative promotion strategy, systematic planning and sustainable vision, Hanoi is gradually realizing its goal of becoming the “Capital of Asian Cuisine” – where every bowl of pho, every plate of bun cha, every cup of coffee carries within it the story of a vibrant, elegant and unique city.

Source: Government Electronic Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/ha-noi-vuon-tam-thanh-pho-am-thuc-chau-a.html