# Vietnam culinary and seasonal tourism development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-culinary-and-seasonal-tourism-development > Updated: 2026-10-10T13:59:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Vietnam is expanding its tourism sector through culinary and seasonal experiences. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigontourist Group Food and Specialty Festival has seen increased attendance, drawing nearly 80,000 visitors. This festival has received international recognition, including being named the ‘Best Food Festival in the World’ for the period between 2023 and 2025. Complementing these large-scale festivals, local chefs are launching targeted initiatives such as the Flavorhood Season 2 program at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel. This program features various international cuisines to encourage longer visitor stays and increased spending. In the Mekong Delta, tourism is also being adapted to natural cycles. The annual ‘floating water season’ is being marketed as a cultural experience, where tourists participate in traditional fishing and navigate flooded fields, shifting the perception of seasonal flooding from a natural disaster to a unique travel opportunity. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: Ho Chi Minh City chefs launch global culinary program Four international chefs are collaborating on a culinary program at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel to boost tourism and offer diverse global flavors in Ho Chi Minh City. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ho-chi-minh-city-chefs-launch-global-culinary-program ### 2026-10-10: Vietnam promotes culinary tourism and Mekong Delta seasonal experiences Ho Chi Minh City is leveraging culinary tourism to drive growth, highlighted by the award-winning Saigontourist Food Festival, while the Mekong Delta promotes seasonal flooding as a unique cultural experience. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-promotes-culinary-tourism-and-mekong-delta-seasonal-experiences --- Cite as: Vietnam culinary and seasonal tourism development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-culinary-and-seasonal-tourism-development