Vietnam promotes culinary tourism and Mekong Delta seasonal experiences

Ho Chi Minh City is positioning culinary experiences as a central driver for tourism growth. The Saigontourist Group Food and Specialty Festival 2026 attracted nearly 80,000 visitors, an increase of over 10,000 compared to 2025. This event has been recognized as the ‘Best Food Festival in the World’ for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025 and the ‘Best Food Festival in Asia’ from 2022 to 2025.

In the Mekong Delta, the annual flooding season, locally referred to as the ‘floating water season,’ is being transformed into a unique cultural and tourism experience. Rather than viewing the rising waters solely as a natural disaster, local farmers are inviting tourists to participate in seasonal activities. These experiences include navigating small boats through flooded fields, learning traditional fishing methods like setting crab traps, and enjoying seasonal local delicacies prepared by residents.