VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign tourists may not be attracted to Vietnamese food through TV shows without tasting them, said Ly Huy Sang, deputy director of Minh Long 1 Co. Ltd.

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Speaking at a talk show held by Tuoi Tre newspaper Tuesday, Sang said a large number of international tourists come to the country, so the best way to promote Vietnamese food is to make use of hotels and restaurants to approach foreign visitors.

Hotels and restaurants can help promote local food to foreigners. To do this, the quality of food should be improved first, he noted. “We will have to work harder to improve the quality of Vietnamese food at restaurants and hotels to create a good impression on foreign diners.”

Sharing Sang’s view, food expert Bui Thi Suong, Vietnamese cuisine ambassador, said exchanges and stories are needed to bring food to diners but most Vietnamese chefs are not good at English, so they have a hard time telling stories about their good dishes.

However, Sakal Phoueung, chairman of the Escoffier Vietnam Association, said the English speaking skill is not a major problem with the global promotion of Vietnamese food. Chefs should demonstrate knowledge and experience in the process of preparing food Vietnamese-style and their spirit is also what matters.

In specifics, Vietnam needs food experts and chefs with a deep understanding of Vietnamese cuisine and a wealth of experience to talk about Vietnamese dishes on foreign TV channels.

Organizing cooking contests is also important because they will create an opportunity to invite foreign TV channels or magazines specializing in food to come and report, thus helping promoting Vietnamese food.

Phoueung also suggested Vietnam should not put pho (noodle soup served with beef or chicken) first when it comes to making Vietnamese cuisine known globally. Cha gio (fried spring rolls) and goi cuon (spring roll) should be chosen for promotion instead to pave the way for exporting rice paper.