Ho Chi Minh City to open fourth Vietnamese Banh Mi Fest

Banh mi, a type of Vietnamese baguette filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables, is a popular dish in Vietnam.

The festival, themed ‘Vietnamese Banh Mi - A Global Culinary Value Spreads Across Continents,’ was officially announced by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association on Thursday, in collaboration with the Vietnam Culinary Conservation, Research and Development Center.

This year’s event will feature up to 150 booths, with nearly 100 already registered.

Notably, the 2026 edition will see participation from members of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, said Nguyen Thi Khanh, chairwoman of the association.

The involvement of French enterprises will not only enhance the international character of the festival, but also create a cultural exchange space between Vietnam and France, which share historical links in the development of bread, she said.

The festival grounds will be designed with immersive and visually striking installations, including an entrance gate featuring a mascot combined with lotus motifs and the Eiffel Tower, all crafted from banh mi.

Visitors can also expect a large airplane structure made out of banh mi, exhibition areas tracing the evolution of banh mi, and live performance spaces.

The fest will also set a record for 50 vegetarian dishes served alongside banh mi.

Beyond culinary experiences, the festival will host trade promotion activities, panel discussions, competitions such as the Pagett Awards, and a startup support initiative that will distribute banh mi carts to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Food safety placed as top priority

Food safety will be placed as the top priority during the event, according to the organizer.

All participating vendors are required to complete legal documentation and adhere to strict hygiene standards throughout preparation, processing, and storage.

The organizing board has pledged to closely monitor compliance and take firm action against violations.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety confirmed that under directives from the municipal People’s Committee, it had implemented a comprehensive inspection plan.

Monitoring will be conducted before and during the festival to ensure food safety and prevent potential foodborne illnesses.