“Vietnamese food is well known internationally and is one reason tourists flock to the country every year,” said Hoang Thi Diep, Deputy Director General of the VNAT.

“The VNAT hope that the contest will be a good chance for executive chefs from all cities and provinces to showcase their talents and introduce traditional dishes from their regions,” Diep added.

About 150 chefs from more than 100 hotels in 20 localities registered to take part in the event. Each of them is allowed to present up to three dishes and asked to introduce the origin and influences of the dishes to the audience.

“With competitors from all three regions, we believe that many new and delicious dishes will be introduced,” Do Thi Hong Xoan, Director of the Hotel Department under VNAT, remarked. “We also hope some chefs will surprise us with their passion for food and bring back traditional dishes that have long since been forgotten.”

A small exhibition will also be organised where delegations from different regions will have a chance to present their specialities to the public.

“The contest is not only a chance for us to promote Vietnamese food and maintain its origin but also an opportunity for contestants to improve their knowledge and sharpen their cooking skills,” said Xoan.

“Despite the small award money reserved for the winners, the organisers believe attendance will be high due to the potential for chefs to gain recognition for their talent,” she added.

All dishes will be documented in a list which will then be used as the basis for tourism promotion and teaching activities in the VNAT’s colleges and cooking centres.