🇻🇳 Foreign Tourists Delight in Vietnam’s First Traditional Fish Sauce Festival

Ho Chi Minh City – The first-ever Traditional Fish Sauce Festival in Vietnam is drawing the attention of many foreign visitors, who are enjoying local dishes enhanced with the country’s signature condiment – nước mắm.

Held from October 23 to 27 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the festival features over 150 stalls showcasing regional specialties, street food, and traditional fish sauces from across Vietnam. The event celebrates the cultural and culinary importance of fish sauce and aims to introduce it to international audiences.

🇫🇷 A Taste of Vietnam for International Visitors

Maria, a French tourist visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, stumbled upon the festival while walking through downtown. Initially mistaking it for a regular food court, she was surprised and excited to find a full event dedicated to fish sauce.

“I often eat Vietnamese food back in France and know how common fish sauce is in the cuisine. I even use it myself when cooking Asian dishes,” Maria said. She mentioned buying fish sauce from Asian supermarkets in France for around 3 to 4 euros per bottle and plans to bring some authentic Vietnamese bottles home.

🍽️ Culinary Exploration at the Festival

Thomas, another visitor from France, is no stranger to Vietnamese cuisine. He’s visited Vietnam multiple times and grew up eating Vietnamese food in France. He and his companion discovered the festival by chance and were delighted to try banh xeo and banh can, both served with tangy, sweet-and-sour fish sauce.

“Vietnamese fish sauce is special because it pairs well with garlic, chili, lime, and sugar to create different flavors. It’s surprisingly easy to eat and not as strong-smelling as some may think,” Thomas explained.

🧂 Promoting Traditional Vietnamese Craft

Beyond the food stalls, the festival also includes zones that recreate the traditional fish sauce-making process, offering insights into Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. Cooking shows and cultural performances add vibrant energy to the event, attracting both locals and tourists.

According to Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the fish sauce festival is not only a celebration of gastronomy but also a significant step in promoting Vietnam’s culinary tourism.

“We welcome such events that highlight our culinary culture and showcase Vietnamese products to the world,” Dung said during the opening ceremony.

Ho Kim Lien, President of the Vietnamese Traditional Fish Sauce Association, added that the festival helps honor the craft villages and encourages people to preserve this cultural treasure.

📈 Why It Matters for Vietnam’s Culinary Tourism

The festival marks an important milestone in elevating Vietnamese cuisine on the global stage. With growing interest from foreign visitors, events like this help bridge cultures through food and promote sustainable, authentic culinary practices rooted in tradition.