We met and had an interesting conversation with Mr. Pham Huy Binh - Chairman of Saigontourist Group, Head of the Organizing Committee, about the first time Saigontourist Group brought the 'international version' of the Saigontourist Group Food Culture Festival and Delicious Dishes to be held abroad to serve Japanese people, overseas Vietnamese and international friends.
Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of Saigontourist Group, Head of the festival organizing committee
Reporter: It is known that this is the first time Saigontourist Group has brought the Saigontourist Group Food Culture Festival and Delicious Dishes abroad, specifically to Osaka, Japan. Can you share your feelings about this important milestone?
Reporter: Saigontourist Group's Food Culture and Delicious Food Festival has achieved great success in Vietnam with many prestigious international awards. So, what prompted Saigontourist Group to bring this festival to Japan for the first time, sir?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: As many people know, the Saigontourist Group Food Culture Festival has become an annual, large-scale and unique culinary cultural event in Vietnam. We have been honored to receive recognition from the World Culinary Awards with the awards "Asia's Best Food Festival" for three consecutive years 2022, 2023, 2024 and "World's Best Food Festival" for two consecutive years 2023, 2024.
This success has motivated us to bring the unique cultural and culinary values of Vietnam closer to international friends. Japan is a country with a long-standing culture and a special respect for cuisine. We realize that Osaka is not only a potential market, but also a place with diverse and high-quality raw materials that can be combined and blended, through the professionalism of 50 Saigontourist Group chefs, we are sure to bring the most unique and quintessential flavors of Vietnam to Japanese diners, international guests, and the Vietnamese community in Osaka and neighboring provinces. Moreover, the Vietnamese community in Japan is also very large, and we wish to bring them a warm and cultural space of our homeland.
Besides Vietnamese cuisine, there are also many selected cultural and artistic programs.
Reporter: Preparing for an international event is certainly much more complicated than organizing one domestically. How has Saigontourist Group prepared to ensure the success of the Festival in Osaka?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: That's right, organizing a large-scale culinary cultural event abroad requires careful and comprehensive preparation in many aspects. We have established a specialized organizing committee, closely coordinating with partners in Japan to plan in detail for each item.
Regarding cuisine, we have selected 15 leading members of Saigontourist Group to bring more than 50 special dishes, representing the culinary quintessence of the three regions of North - Central - South. Our talented chefs have spent a lot of time researching, preparing ingredients and ensuring the standard flavor of each dish. We are also very pleased to receive the participation of Vietnamese culinary businesses in Japan, which will enrich the choices for attendees.
In terms of culture, we have prepared traditional musical instrument performances to exchange culture and art between artists of the two countries. In particular, the participation of young Vietnamese singers loved by Japanese youth such as Xuan Nghi, Da Lab band and Japanese artists promises to create a vibrant and attractive atmosphere.
In addition, we also focus on cultural experience activities such as instructions on making traditional cakes, folk games, stilts, bamboo dancing, artistic fruit and vegetable carving, artistic coconut leaf tying, artistic mixing performances, and entertainment and bingo performances, etc. to create a festive atmosphere for visitors to directly experience and explore Vietnamese culture. We also pay special attention to logistics, security and communications to ensure the event runs smoothly and is a great success.
Saigon bread is one of 50 delicious Vietnamese dishes introduced at the festival.
Reporter: With more than 50 traditional and unique Vietnamese dishes introduced, does Saigontourist Group have any specific message to convey through this diverse culinary "feast"?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: Through more than 50 dishes introduced by 50 talented chefs of the Saigontourist Group system, we want to convey the richness, sophistication and uniqueness of Vietnamese cuisine, especially the number 50 also symbolizes the milestone of the 50th anniversary of the group's establishment (1975-2025). We hope that, when enjoying these dishes, Japanese people and international friends will have a deeper insight into the diversity of Vietnamese culinary culture, thereby arousing curiosity and desire to explore the country and people of Vietnam.
Reporter: The event not only focuses on cuisine but also has a variety of cultural and artistic activities. How do you evaluate the role of cultural factors in promoting Vietnamese tourism?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: We believe that culture and cuisine are two inseparable factors and play a key role in promoting tourism. Cuisine is an important part of culture, a bridge for tourists to explore and understand more about the customs and practices of a country. Art performances and cultural experiences will bring deep and unforgettable impressions to tourists, thereby creating a strong ripple effect. Recreating a vibrant Vietnamese cultural space right in the center of Osaka will help visitors feel a colorful and hospitable Vietnam.
Reporter: In addition to promoting cuisine and culture, the event also includes activities to promote Vietnam - Japan tourism. What do you expect from this activity in promoting tourism cooperation between the two countries?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: Vietnam - Japan tourism promotion activities are an important part of the festival. We hope to create a forum for tourism businesses of the two countries to meet, exchange information, seek cooperation opportunities and build attractive tourism products to serve the increasing needs of tourists. Japan is a key tourism market of Vietnam as well as Saigontourist Group, and we believe that, through this event, the cooperation relationship in the tourism sector between the two countries will grow stronger and stronger.
Reporter: The coupon ticket price of 700 yen for each dish seems very attractive. Can you share more about this policy and the benefits it brings to attendees?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: We want to create the best conditions for everyone to easily access and enjoy delicious Vietnamese dishes. The coupon price of 700 Yen (equivalent to about 110,000 VND) for each dish or a combo of 1 dish and 1 drink is a very reasonable price, especially when compared to the cost of eating in Japan. This price allows attendees to freely choose and experience many different dishes without worrying too much about the cost.
Many delicious dishes are prepared and directly served to customers by 5-star chefs of the Saigontourist Group system.
Reporter: Finally, do you have any message for the Japanese people, the Vietnamese community in Japan and international friends about the Saigontourist Group - Vietnam Food Culture Festival 2025 in Osaka?
Mr. Pham Huy Binh: We would like to respectfully invite Japanese people, overseas Vietnamese and international friends to attend the Saigontourist Group – Vietnam Food Culture Festival 2025 at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, Osaka on June 14 and 15, 2025. This is a great opportunity for you to explore a miniature Vietnam right in the heart of Osaka, enjoy delicious food, experience unique cultural features and interact with the friendly and hospitable Vietnamese community. We believe that the festival will bring memorable culinary and cultural experiences to everyone.
Reporter: Thank you very much and wish Saigontourist Group much success with this special event in Osaka!
With the participation of 15 leading member units of Saigontourist Group, the Saigontourist Group - Vietnam Culinary Culture Festival 2025 in Osaka brings a sumptuous "feast" with more than 50 delicious dishes, rich in the flavors of the three regions of North - Central - South Vietnam to introduce to the Japanese people, overseas Vietnamese and international friends. Along with that, Vietnamese culinary businesses in Japan also contribute to enriching the culinary experience for attendees. Participating units include: Rex Saigon Hotel, Grand Saigon, Majestic Saigon, Caravelle Saigon, Continental Saigon, Kim Do, De Nhat, Saigon - Da Lat, Saigon - Ha Long, Saigon - Morin, Hoa Viet Joint Venture Company, Binh Quoi Tourist Village, Saigontourist School of Tourism and Hospitality (STHC), Saigontourist Travel Services Company and Saigon Exhibition and Fair Joint Venture Company (SECC).
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xuat-khau-dac-sac-le-hoi-am-thuc-va-van-hoa-viet-nam-den-voi-nhat-ban-185250605222015163.htm
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