Vietnamese Banh Mi Continues Its Global Culinary Journey
On March 23, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Magazine hosted a scientific conference entitled Vietnamese Banh Mi - Global Culinary Value, Spreading to Five Continents. This event aims to promote the beloved Vietnamese dish, Banh Mi, to a wider audience of tourists.
This conference forms part of the 3rd Vietnamese Banh Mi Festival, celebrating the dish that has become not only an integral part of Vietnamese culture but also an international sensation.
PGS,TS Huynh Quoc Thang, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, highlighted the significance of Banh Mi, noting that it has emerged from its roots in Western industrial society, particularly in France, to become a significant element of Vietnamese culinary culture. Thang explained, Banh Mi has become a part of Vietnamese culinary identity after over a century of cultural exchange. Its unique blend of flavors and textures reflects our heritage and has gained recognition around the globe.
As of March 24, 2025, Banh Mi has officially been in the Oxford Dictionary for 14 years, marking a milestone in its journey as a global dish.
The popularity of Banh Mi is also observed beyond Vietnam. Mr. Phon Chanh Phengphouvanh, a representative from the Department of Culture and Tourism in Vientiane, Laos, shared insights on the dish's presence in Laos, mentioning that it has been enjoyed there since the 1990s. Vietnamese immigrants brought Banh Mi to Laos, creating a fusion with local flavors. Banh Mi is loved by the people of Laos, and to further enrich their culinary culture, we need to establish an experiential model for enjoying Banh Mi right here in Vientiane, utilizing authentic Vietnamese ingredients to maintain its original essence, Phengphouvanh stated.
He emphasized the importance of Vietnamese authorities strengthening their promotional activities regarding Banh Mi not only in Laos but across the world.
Equally enthusiastic about promoting Vietnamese cuisine, Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, urged taking advantage of events like the Vietnamese Banh Mi Festival to elevate awareness of this distinctive food among international tourists. We should establish tour routes centered around Banh Mi, create special streets dedicated to it, and set up interactive experiences at museums to convey the unique stories behind this dish, the cultural values it embodies, and its evolution over time, Hoa remarked.
Echoing the excitement in the culinary community, the conference served as a platform for experts, chefs, and culinary enthusiasts to share their ideas and strategies about promoting Banh Mi globally. The discussions focused on collaborative efforts to ensure that Banh Mi, as an iconic dish, remains a point of pride for the Vietnamese people while also appealing to the evolving tastes of travelers and food lovers around the world.
With such a strong push from local authorities and international interest, Banh Mi is poised to continue its culinary conquest, encouraging more people to learn about and taste this remarkable sandwich that encapsulates the vibrant flavors and rich history of Vietnam.
