Int’l Food Festival: Gastronomy of Unity

At the 2024 International Food Festival, guests savored dishes from over 60 countries and territories, with more than 130 booths representing 45 foreign agencies, international organizations, and 18 Vietnamese localities. 

The festival draws a large number of visitors. Photos: Linh Pham/The Hanoi Times

Each booth showcased unique dishes and provided insights into the cultures and traditions of each country at the annual event took place on December 7-8.

World-class chef David Sahib Israfilov (Don David) delighted attendees with Azerbaijani specialties such as dönər, beef, lamb and chicken shishlik, and lula kebabs.

David Sahib Israfilov (Don David) prepares lamb chop kebab, one of Azerbaijan's most beloved dishes featuring lamb grilled over a barbecue, imparting a rich flavor from the smoke of burning coals.

“Through these dishes, we share the essence of our culinary flavors and stories about the history and cherished traditional values of the nation,” shared Don David, a famous representative of the World Barbecue Association. He stressed the importance of authentic taste as any combination or adjustment impacts the quality of food.

Driven by this passion, Don David is exploring opportunities to open a restaurant in Vietnam, aiming to introduce authentic Azerbaijani flavors to the country he deeply admires. The renowned chef has traveled extensively across Vietnam, visiting places like Sa Pa, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vung Tau to experience both the destinations and local cuisine. 

Visitors wait for some typical Azerbaijani dishes.

Explaining his decision to expand from his big restaurant in Moscow to opening another in Vietnam, David said that while people can find restaurants offering international cuisines in many places, it's not the case in Vietnam, diners sometimes can't find food from all countries here. "That's why I plan to open another restaurant to present authentic Azerbaijani cuisine not only to foreigners working in Vietnam but also to the locals," he shared. 

Indeed, Don David’s view that food bridges cultures comes to life at the 2024 International Food Festival. The event celebrates global culinary diversity and emphasizes food as a universal language, enabling people from different cultures to connect and find common ground. Remarkably, the Embassy of Azerbaijan was recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its outstanding contributions to the festival.   

Nguyen Thanh Van and her daughter Dang Vy Hieu Anh are eager to try Azerbaijan chicken kebab wrapped in lavash.

Nguyen Thanh Van from Hai Ba Trung District said she had tried some kinds of kebabs and wanted to bring her daughter Dang Vy Hieu Anh to taste some Azerbaijani traditional food.  

Indian stall with samosa, a fried pastry snack, usually with a filling of spiced potatoes.

Some soup typical of Haiti.

Kazakhstan stall showcases food and traditional costumes.

Sourvenirs from Russia.

ActionAid booth promotes products made by vulnerable groups.

Cuba stall highlights mojito.

Cyan Michel, who has been in Vietnam for more than 10 years and running a restaurant in Hanoi, promotes food from Mexico, Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, Palestine stall promtes connection.

Hanoi's impression 

At the decade-long festival, Hanoi pho, bun cha, and banh mi are honored as typical for the thousands-year city, especially after Hanoi pho was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.   

Hanoi's chefs make a big load of bread at the festival.

As an effort to introduce Hanoi’s traditional dishes to other places nationwide and worldwide, the city’s chefs offered visitors true tastes of pho, bun cha, and traditional kinds of cake and jam while performing cooking arts and showcasing the craftsmanship at the two-day event. 

Bui Nguyen Duc from Nam Tu Liem District promotes Hanoi's pho (rice noodles soup with beef or chicken) and bun cha.

Bui Nguyen Duc a kid MC who came to record videos for a TV show said he expected to promote Hanoi pho and bun cha – the two dishes typical in Hanoi to international friends. 

Young Hanoians in Vietnamese traditional long dress (ao dai).

Meanwhile, several TV shows and bloggers highlighted the festival's theme of "Gastronomy of Unity," promoting its diverse culinary offerings and cultural connections.

The festival also provides locals an opportunity to promote their culture.