Over 100,000 visitors attend Vietnam culture, food festival in Japan

The festival, hosted by leading Vietnamese tour operator Saigontourist Group, welcomed locals, international tourists, and Vietnamese expatriates from across Osaka, Kansai, and other parts of Japan.

The event also gathered Japanese politicians such as two members of parliament Moriyama Hiroyuki and Nishida Kaoru, Osaka City officials, and senior Vietnamese leaders.

A wide array of signature dishes from 15 top hotels, travel, and service brands under Saigontourist Group were featured at the event, along with cultural performances, traditional games, and art showcases.

As part of the festival, Saigontourist Group also hosted a Vietnam-Japan business networking event and tourism development partnership signing ceremony with major travel, aviation, and media firms in Kansai on June 14, aimed at boosting inbound tourism to Vietnam.

The festival marked the first international edition of the acclaimed ‘Mon Ngon Saigontourist Group’ (Saigontourist Group Delicacies) event, which was recognized by the World Culinary Awards as ‘Asia’s Best Culinary Festival’ for three consecutive years in 2022-24 and twice as ‘World’s Best Culinary Festival’ in 2023 and 2024.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha highlighted the festival as one of Vietnam’s largest culinary events ever held in the Kansai region.

“This festival not only introduces the vibrancy of Vietnamese culture and cuisine but also demonstrates Saigontourist Group’s professional event organizing capacity on an international scale,” he said.

Pham Huy Binh, chairman of Saigontourist Group and head of the festival’s organizing committee, shared that despite an off-season rainstorm on the first day, the second day saw a massive turnout, including many Vietnamese families traveling from distant prefectures.

“Even with unfavorable weather, the crowd's enthusiasm proves the strong appeal of Vietnamese culture and cuisine,” Binh said.

Following the success in Osaka, Saigontourist plans to take the festival to other global cities.

“Culture and cuisine are powerful bridges connecting Vietnam to the world and advancing sustainable green economic growth,” the Saigontourist chairman added.