The event is expected to be a major highlight in promoting culturally and historically rich products, while also contributing to Ho Chi Minh City’s economic, tourism, and cultural development.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has officially announced that the Yen Festival will take place from December 12 to 14.

Under the official name “Yen Festival - HCMC 2025,” the event honors this local delicacy, promotes exports, and builds the city’s high-quality bird’s nest brand, aiming to establish the festival as an internationally recognized annual event.

The opening ceremony, along with the exhibition and hands-on experience areas, will be held along Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Visitors will be immersed in unique interactive models, offering a dynamic experience of the living environment of swiftlets and the formation of edible nests. A dedicated zone will also simulate a modern birdhouse, recreating the natural habitat of swiftlets through realistic sound and lighting systems.

The former Tax Trade Center area will host a commercial exhibition zone featuring bird’s nest products, culinary showcases, and food tasting events. Between 50 and 70 booths from businesses and participating organizations are expected to offer promotions, shopping vouchers, and a free sampling area (Tasting Zone), all designed to introduce and stimulate interest in Vietnamese bird’s nest products.

In addition to exhibitions, the festival will include a variety of engaging activities that blend trade promotion, business networking, and culinary and cultural celebration.

Key highlights will include the culinary showcase “Nature’s essence in every dish,” where renowned chefs will demonstrate their skills in preparing bird’s nest dishes in both modern fusion and traditional styles.

The event will also host several themed seminars and panel discussions, including “Solutions for producing bird’s nest products to international standards” and “Boosting bird’s nest product sales through e-commerce platforms,” aiming to enhance cooperation, product quality, and digital distribution channels.

To build momentum ahead of the main festival, the Department of Industry and Trade and its partners have organized two competitions to spark creativity and raise public awareness. The “Creative Packaging and Branding for Bird’s Nest Products” contest supports businesses in improving design and brand recognition to meet international standards. Meanwhile, the “Vietnamese Bird’s Nest Cuisine - Nature’s Essence” competition showcases the nutritional value of bird’s nest dishes and promotes culinary innovation and industry growth.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle and celebrating the ecological and cultural heritage of the Can Gio swiftlet region, the city will also host the “Vietnamese Bird’s Nest - Strong Steps for Golden Health” running race in Can Gio district.

Yen Festival - HCMC 2025 is not only a tribute to one of the city’s signature products but also a vital opportunity to expand international markets and boost official export channels.

Quoc Ngoc