Quintessence of Vietnamese rice introduced to international friends

A Gala dinner themed Quintessence of Vietnamese Rice was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 7, as part of the 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE Ho Chi Minh City 2022).

The largest international tourism event in Southeast Asia was attended by former Vice President Truong My Hoa, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Phan Van Mai and many representatives of tourism organizations, localities and travel agents from over 25 countries and territories around the world.

It was co-organized by the municipal Tourism Department and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The Gala dinner, themed Quintessence of Vietnamese Rice, aims to introduce a vivid picture of a modern and youthful Vietnam that has still fully preserved its traditional values. Rice is also a common image representing the culture and cuisine of the Lower Mekong River countries.

The event was opened with a show of ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) by designer Sy Hoang in addition to dances and songs about rice and farmers.

The night also featured a host of culinary activities as well as music performances that re-enact Vietnam’s thousands-year history from the legendary beginning when dragon lord Lac Long Quan and beautiful fairy Au Co – believed to be the ancestors of Vietnamese – met.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that Ho Chi Minh City, as a special city of Vietnam, has potential in science and technology as well as advantages in commercial-service infrastructure and high-quality human resources. It has become an international gateway for trade, service, and tourism exchanges with countries in the region and the world, he noted.

"With over 300 years of establishment and development, HCM City has not only retained the unique traditional cultural values of Vietnam but also formed its own unique identities.

It is the generosity and gratitude of a land that have gathered residents from all parts of the country and abroad. It is a magically interwoven city of dynamic and modern life rhythms in a space filled with long-standing architectural and cultural values. It is a city always full of excitement, looking forward to the future but not forgetting to cherish the values of the past, and also a city with modern architecture intertwined with rivers, canals, biosphere reserves and Can Gio Sea.

It's a city where you can find any of the world's delicacies besides those from all over Vietnam," he said.

According to him, rice is not only the primary source of food for Vietnamese people but among the roots of Vietnamese civilization and culture.

Every place in Vietnam's S-shaped strip of land has the imprint of rice, from the local life style, habits, customs and beliefs. Rice is the silhouette of the homeland, patriotism and origin. Rice is present in everyday meals, in the offering tray dedicated to the ancestors or in festive delicacies. Rice accompanies the Vietnamese through the idyllic days as well as the stormy days, through the miserable as well as prosperity.

“The programme is the greeting from Vietnam - a beautiful, safe and friendly destination, where visitors can ‘live fully’ in every moment of their journey”, added Chairman Mai.

He also emphasized that the programme was also a greeting from Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic and exciting destination, to international friends.

“Rice is ‘heaven's pearl’, a sacred item generously bestowed by mother earth, containing the essence of nurturing each of us into adulthood. That pearl is also the beautiful gift of nature adorning the splendid picture of Việt Nam so that every visitor to the S-shaped country would be charmed with its images, melodies and tastes,” the chairman said.

Over the past 15 years, the ITE Ho Chi Minh City 2022 has affirmed its brand as one of the most prestigious and leading international tourism fairs in Vietnam and Asia.

The event also offered an opportunity for businesses to seek partners, as well as promote their products to both domestic and international consumers.

Vietnam is currently the second biggest rice exporter in the world, just behind India.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country exported nearly 4.2 million tonnes of rice in the first seven months of 2022, up 20.5% year-on-year.