Vietnam's Fish Sauce Festival attracts global food lovers

This first-of-its-kind festival drew the curiosity of many foreign tourists passing through downtown HCMC

Maria, a French tourist visiting for the first time, stumbled upon the festival while exploring the Nguyen Hue and Le Loi intersection. At first, she mistook the stalls for an outdoor food court but discovered the event was dedicated to fish sauce.

Maria and her boyfriend explore Vietnamese dishes at a fish sauce festival on Nguyen Hue Street, HCMC, October 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

Maria shared that she's no stranger to fish sauce, as she often visits Vietnamese restaurants in France where most dishes are seasoned with this condiment. She also uses fish sauce to cook various Asian dishes.

"In France, I usually buy fish sauce at Asian supermarkets, sometimes at Vietnamese stores, for around US$3-4 a bottle," Maria said, adding that she might pick up a few bottles at the festival.

Thomas, another French tourist, said he frequently visits Vietnam and has known about fish sauce since he was young, as there are many Vietnamese restaurants in France. He and his friend happened to pass by the pedestrian street and decided to check out the festival, where they enjoyed banh xeo - crispy pancakes and banh can - mini pancakes with a sweet and sour fish sauce dip.

Thomas (R) enjoys Vietnamese mini pancakes banh can with a sweet and sour fish sauce dip at the fish sauce festival on Nguyen Hue Street, HCMC, October 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

Thomas said Vietnamese fish sauce is unique because it can create different flavors when combined with other ingredients like garlic, chili, sugar, and lime.

"Pure fish sauce is also very easy to eat and does not have a strong smell, making it perfect for cooking Asian dishes," he said.

The Fish Sauce Festival features over 150 booths showcasing and promoting products from fish sauce producers across the country.

The event has food stalls selling street food and regional dishes where fish sauce is the main seasoning, along with an area that re-creates the fish sauce production process. Throughout the five days, cooking demonstrations are held to promote and celebrate fish sauce for both locals and visitors.

Gian hàng ẩm thực tại lễ hội nước mắm tối 23/10. Ảnh: Bích Phương

Nguyen Van Dung, Ho Chi Minh City's Deputy Chairman, noted during the festival's opening that the event is more than a culinary celebration; it's a milestone showcasing Vietnamese cuisine's continued evolution and diversity.

"The city welcomes these events to promote Vietnamese products to global visitors," Dung added.

According to Ho Kim Lien, President of the Vietnamese Traditional Fish Sauce Association, the festival also honors the country's age-old fish sauce craft.

"When Vietnamese people use traditional fish sauce, they're supporting cultural heritage and local craft villages," she shared.