From March 18 to 20, the Food & Hospitality Hanoi 2025 exhibition opened its doors to culinary enthusiasts, featuring the Italian Pavilion hosted by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Vietnam.

The pavilion showcased premium products from 16 leading Italian food companies, highlighting the richness and diversity of Italian cuisine.

The Italian Pavilion offered visitors a sensory journey through iconic Italian ingredients and dishes, including pasta, pasta sauces, pesto, tomatoes, pulses, vegetables, grains, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

Visitors also enjoyed authentic Italian specialties such as Ladyfingers, croissants, Panettone for Christmas, breadsticks, pizza dough, truffle-based products, and Sicilian delicacies like antipasti, jams, chestnut-flavored cream cheese, chocolate, and Ricotta.

In addition to gourmet food items, the exhibition presented a variety of Italian wines and high-quality food processing and distribution services within the Ho.Re.Ca. (Hotel, Restaurant, Catering) sector.

Expanding Italy’s presence in the Vietnamese market

Mr. Fabio De Cillis, Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Vietnam, shared that ITA has participated in the Food & Hospitality Hanoi exhibition for several years. According to him, the event is a golden opportunity for Italian companies to introduce and promote their products.

With the increasing variety of high-quality Italian goods entering the Vietnamese market, Mr. De Cillis expressed hope that prices would gradually decrease, making Italian products more accessible to local consumers.

He emphasized that Italian businesses are not only penetrating the restaurant sector through networks of gourmet food importers and distributors but are also reaching larger retail markets such as Mega Market, Tops, and AEON, where many Italian products are already available.

A fusion of Italian and Vietnamese cuisine

Mr. De Cillis highlighted the unique potential for Italian products to harmonize with Vietnamese culinary traditions. For instance, balsamic vinegar can be used as an alternative to lime in traditional pho, while Italian wines pair wonderfully with various Vietnamese dishes.

The Italian Trade Agency hopes that introducing high-quality Italian ingredients will encourage more Vietnamese consumers to explore and embrace the essence of Italian cuisine, enriching their culinary experiences.

Strengthening ties between Italy and Vietnam

Italy is renowned for its culinary heritage, rooted in the rich traditions of the Mediterranean. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and regional cooking techniques, Italian cuisine has captivated food lovers worldwide.

Vietnam and Italy established diplomatic relations on March 23, 1973, and over half a century later, the partnership continues to thrive. Italy is Vietnam’s largest European Union trading partner and third-largest EU partner overall, while Vietnam remains Italy’s most significant trade partner within ASEAN.

The continued cultural and economic collaboration between the two countries fosters a stronger connection, both in the culinary arts and beyond.

Kim Anh