Craving British food and drink? Nearly 100 products land in Vietnam

The campaign, running from August 24 to September 7, is organized by the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in partnership with Annam Gourmet Vietnam.

According to the organizers, the selection was curated to meet the growing demand and tastes of Vietnamese consumers, while giving them an opportunity to discover the breadth and diversity of the UK's food and drink offering.

From generations-old cheesemaking traditions and iconic British teas to classic condiments found on dining tables across the UK, the products have transcended their origins to become favorites among consumers worldwide.

The collection is available at all Annam Gourmet stores in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with in-store tasting events scheduled at six major Annam Gourmet stores on August 29-30 and September 5-6.

“Through The GREAT British Selection, we are pleased to give consumers in Vietnam more opportunities to discover British flavors, while supporting the continued growth of trade between our two countries, particularly in the food and drink sector,” said Alexandra Smith, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, at the campaign's launch in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.

“This campaign comes at an exciting time as the UK and Vietnam continue to deepen our partnership in agriculture, food, and drink.

“Building on the success of British products already available in the market, we are proud to be further opening the market and introducing an even wider range of British products to Vietnamese consumers, including seafood, pork, and poultry.”

Ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Smith suggested that Vietnamese consumers consider British products to enjoy with friends and family, ranging from confectionery to appetizers featuring British flavors.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This year's festival falls on September 25.

Often associated with children, the festival features lanterns, lion dances and family gatherings, with mooncakes being one of its most iconic treats.

'Defined by Heritage, Selected for Quality'

More than a product showcase, The GREAT British Selection also celebrates the traditions, culture, and craftsmanship behind British food and drink, the organizers noted.

Smith highlighted some of the stories behind products whose traditions stretch back centuries.

“Take British cheese, for example,” she said. 

“Britain produces more than 700 varieties of cheese and exports around 200,000 tonnes each year.

“Many are still made using techniques passed down through generations of cheesemakers.

“Products such as Cheddar from Wyke Farms or Clawson are part of a tradition that has helped make British cheese famous around the world.”

She also shed light on British condiments, with Colman's Mustard having been adding a little extra punch to British meals since 1814 and remaining a staple on dining tables more than 200 years later.

Meanwhile, Lyle's Golden Syrup has become so iconic that its packaging holds a Guinness World Record for the world's oldest branding still in use.

But heritage alone is not enough, Smith said, adding that the reason British products continue to earn the trust of consumers around the world is the commitment to quality.

“When you choose British food and drink, you are choosing products produced to some of the world's highest standards in food safety, animal welfare, and sustainability,” she stated.

“Quality sits at the heart of everything we produce. That's what we mean when we say, ‘Defined by Heritage. Selected for Quality.’”

Trade deals help British food reach Vietnamese consumers

Matthew Albon-Crouch, UK Agriculture Attaché in Vietnam, said that trade agreements are creating more opportunities for British goods to access the Vietnamese market.

“The UK has just joined CPTPP as well, and that means that tariffs across lots of food and drink products will be reduced slowly over the next few years,” he said.

“So British products like these are becoming cheaper and cheaper thanks to our trade arrangement.”

According to the UK government's trade guidance on food and drink exports to Vietnam, the UK has two free trade agreements with Vietnam: the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which entered into force in 2021, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes 12 countries and entered into force between the UK and Vietnam in 2024.

Joining CPTPP means more than 99 percent of current UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for tariff-free trade, making it cheaper for UK businesses to ship their goods to Vietnam, according to the guidance.

The tariff reductions include key UK food and drink products such as chocolate and dairy.