International tourists are introduced about Hueess food at the International Culinary Festival “Huế – Capital of Cuisine”. — VNA/VNS Photo

HUẾ — The International Culinary Festival “Huế – Capital of Cuisine” officially opened on December 18, emerging as a highlight event marking the close of the National Tourism Year – Huế 2025.

The festival brings together more than 50 food stalls from provinces and cities nationwide, alongside a strong international presence. Visitors are immersed in a lively culinary space featuring live cooking demonstrations, presentations of regional specialities and international dishes, high-quality OCOP products, and food models designed with export potential in mind.

A centrepiece of the opening ceremony was the official announcement that bún bò Huế (Huế beef noodle soup) has been added to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The recognition marks a significant milestone, underscoring the dish’s iconic value, cultural representativeness, and enduring place in Việt Nam’s culinary life.

Long synonymous with the former imperial capital, bún bò Huế has transcended its local origins to become a celebrated culinary brand at home and abroad. The dish frequently appears in international travel publications, overseas Vietnamese restaurant menus, and respected global food rankings. Known for its distinctive flavours, refined preparation, and deep cultural links to Huế’s history, bún bò Huế is widely regarded as a “culinary ambassador” promoting the image of Huế and its people to the world.

Trần Thị Hoài Trâm, Director of the Huế Department of Tourism, said the 2025 International Culinary Festival not only honours the essence of both traditional and contemporary cuisine, but also holds strategic importance in advancing the “Huế – Capital of Cuisine” brand. She noted that the city is gradually positioning gastronomy as a core pillar of its heritage economy, tourism sector, and cultural industries.

The festival is expected to inject fresh momentum into year-end tourism while attracting high-quality visitors. It also supports Huế’s ambition to soon join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, further consolidating its status as a distinctive cultural and tourism hub of Việt Nam and the region.

The International Culinary Festival “Huế – Capital of Cuisine” runs from December 18 to 21. — VNA/VNS