Traditional foods, culture and customs will be highlighted at the Ha Thanh Food Festival due to be held from October 6 to 11 in Hanoi.

Pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish.

“This will be a special opportunity for visitors to discover the unique food culture of the North, Central and South of Vietnam, especially the specialties of the Hanoi people,” said Tran Thi Bach Yen, deputy director of the Hanoi Tourist Corporation responsible for organising this event.

Following the International Tourism Festival which will be held from October 2 to 5, Ha Thanh Food Festival is another important event held during the 10-day festival celebrating the anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Yen revealed that besides enjoying specialties of three regions in Vietnam and the world, visitors can also join in folk games and traditional performances as well as explore village markets selling many sophisticated hand-made products produced by skillful artisans.

“We will divide the site in many areas in which different regions will show their own cultures and specialties,” Yen said. “We will set up 3 markets following the model of Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi, Dong Ba Market in Hue City and Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. Here visitors can see old practices and customs of local people.”

Local and foreign companies working in travel, hospitality, food and beverage, art, and at embassies can all register to join this festival for free. Organisers have already received letters from 130 companies registering to set up their showcases at the festival.

With the experiences from the last World Food Festival held in Vung Tau City last month, Yen is confident that they will make this Ha Thanh Food Festival a successful one.

Ha Thanh Food Festival will be held at Ho Tay Water Park, Nghi Tam Street, Hanoi under the direction of the Hanoi People’s Committee and Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.