Three chefs from Pakistan at a stall of the festival (Photo: VNA) There were over 100 stalls run by 35 embassies, foreignrepresentative agencies, and units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs anddepartments of external affairs from localities across Vietnam.
The annual event offers an occasion for cultural exchangeand mutual understanding between nations and introducing Vietnam tointernational friends. It also raises funds to support disadvantaged people,including orphans, people with disabilities, and needy women, with donations nearing5 billion VND (212,089 USD) after nine editions.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th edition, Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, the spouse of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, saidthe festival has attracted an increasing number of embassies, foreign culturalcentres, as well as local departments of external affairs and businesses overthe years.
This year’s event marks the 55th foundinganniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN (1967-2022),she said, calling the 10-member bloc a common home of close to 700 millionpeople in the region.
On behalf of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic corps inHanoi, Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi expressed his pleasure to participatein this cultural and culinary event, which demonstrates the solidarity andcloseness that ASEAN has always pursued.
"We connect and unite for the advancement of the people," hestressed.
The diplomat said cuisine connects and can also be a driving force of economic growth for countries, making animportant contribution to the economy and diplomacy./.
VNA
