Hoi An International Food Festival – Festivals in Hoi An Vietnam

Hoi An International Food Festival is an annual event taking place in Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will provide visitors all information about it.

You may also like: Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival

• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD

• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team

• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others

History of Hoi An International Food Festival

Hoi An International Food Festival 2016

Here are important information that visitors should know about the 1st Hoi An International Food Festival (2016):

– Dates: 14th to 20th March 2016

– Location: An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An

– Participants: the festival hosted 12 international chefs from 12 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Russia, India, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, and Mauritius. These chefs were members of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).

– Format:

- The international chefs partnered with 12 local Hoi An restaurants (such as Cargo Club, Morning Glory, and Hai Café).
- During the week, the international chefs recreated their traditional dishes, making use of locally sourced Vietnamese ingredients and herbs.
- The participating restaurants were often decorated to reflect the culture of the guest chef’s home country.
- Activities included cooking shows, dish creations by the international chefs, and cooking technique exchanges between the foreign and local chefs.
- Local Hoi An dishes like Mi quang noodles, Cao lau noodles, and chicken rice were also showcased.

– Goal: the event was designed to give visitors a chance to try food from around the world while enjoying a festival atmosphere, promoting Hoi An’s culinary value, and providing a platform for local chefs to learn from international experts. The festival’s success paved the way for it to become an annual event.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2017

Here are important information that visitors should know about the 2nd Hoi An International Food Festival (2017):

– Dates: the festival primarily took place from March 22 to March 26, 2017.

– Location: the main activities, including the opening and closing ceremonies, were held at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden.

– Participants:

- It featured 12 international chefs from the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), representing a new group of countries compared to the first festival.
- Countries represented included Germany, Sweden, Slovenia, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Russia, Mauritius, Greece, the United States, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and India.
- Notable chefs included Chef Viktor Belyaev, who worked for the Kremlin for 30 years, and Chef Dr. T Publis Silva from Sri Lanka.
- The President of WACS, Thomas Andreas Gugler (the festival founder), was also in attendance.
Key highlights & activities:
- “Vietnam’s food capital” recognition: at the opening ceremony on March 22, the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) officially awarded Hoi An with a Certificate of Honour, recognizing it as one of Vietnam’s food capitals.
- Local immersion: the visiting chefs participated in tours of the local Hoi An Market to select fresh herbs and ingredients for their dishes, emphasizing the use of local produce.
- Culinary demonstrations: the chefs showcased their countries’ specialties, often adapting them using local Vietnamese ingredients.
- Street party and awards: the festival concluded with an international street party and an awards ceremony for the chefs and participating restaurants at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2018

Here are important information that visitors should know about the 3rd Hoi An International Food Festival (2018):

– Dates: March 11 to March 17, 2018

– Theme: “Taste the World”

– Location: the main activities were held at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden

– Participants:

- It featured 12 renowned international chefs from various countries, including Switzerland, France, Japan, China, Spain, Netherlands, South Africa, Turkey, South Korea, Italy, Ecuador, and the Cook Islands.
- The chefs were all members of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS).
- The festival also included the participation of the Chairman of WACS, Thomas Gugler.

– Key highlights & activities:

- “Big Dish” area: a major highlight was a nightly event at the “Big Dish” area, where one typical chef from a participating country, selected by the WACS Chairman, would perform and prepare a signature dish.
- Cultural exchange: the primary focus remained on culinary exchange, giving local chefs from 12 Hoi An restaurants the chance to meet and share experiences with world-class experts.
- Immersive visitor experiences: visitors were offered a range of activities beyond just tasting, including:
  - Experiencing the culinary space at the booths of each country.
  - Sightseeing and purchasing food materials at the Hoi An Market.
  - Participating in a culinary forum.
  - Visiting the renowned Tra Que Vegetable Village.
- Entertainment: the festival incorporated diverse street programs, performances by foreign music bands, and a culinary carnival to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2019

Here are important information that visitors should know about the 4th Hoi An International Food Festival (2019):

Dates: from April 11 to April 14, 2019
Location: The main venue was the An Hoi Sculpture Garden
Theme: “Cao Lau Challenge”
Participants:
- The festival featured a group of 10 international chefs from various countries, including Germany, Japan, France, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
- The event was supported by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), whose president, Thomas A. Gugler, was involved in promoting the festival and the idea of Vietnam becoming the “Kitchen of the World.”
Key highlights & activities:
- Cao Lau challenge: the central theme was a unique challenge focused on Hoi An’s most famous dish, Cao Lầu (a local pork noodle dish). The international chefs were tasked with preparing Cao Lầu according to their national or personal style, remixed with their own flair, to serve to visitors. More information about Cao lau noodles
- Cultural showcase: the festival provided a platform for visitors to not only try Hoi An’s traditional dishes but also to enjoy the variations cooked by international chefs.
- Entertainment: in the evenings, there were artistic performances, street parades, and music from different countries, maintaining the festive and engaging atmosphere of previous years.
- Goal: the event served to further introduce and promote Hoi An’s unique local cuisine and culture to both domestic and international visitors, building on the city’s recognition as a “Cuisine Capital of Vietnam.”

Hoi An International Food Festival 2020

The Hoi An International Food Festival 2020 (which would have been the 5th edition) was cancelled or indefinitely postponed due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the key points regarding the planned event:

Planned dates: the festival was originally scheduled to take place in late March – early April 2020.
Reason for cancellation: the Vietnamese government, including local authorities in Hoi An, began implementing measures to suspend or cancel large public gatherings, cultural, and tourism events in early 2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Pre-planned event: like previous years, the 2020 festival would have been a high-profile, multi-day event featuring:
- International chefs (typically around 10-12) who are members of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS).
- Cooking demonstrations and special themed dinners at various local restaurants.
- A celebration of Hoi An’s local cuisine, particularly signature dishes like Cao Lầu and Mì Quảng.

Because of the pandemic’s impact on international travel and large festivals, the consistent, annual format of the Hoi An International Food Festival that ran from 2016 through 2019 was interrupted in 2020. The next major international culinary event in the region was later held under the broader title of the Quang Nam International Festival of Gastronomy in 2023.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2023

The Quảng Nam International Food Festival 2023 was a significant event held in Hội An to celebrate and promote the local culinary and cultural heritage.

1. The Planned “International Food Festival – Quảng Nam 2023”

This was the initially announced, large-scale international event.

Theme: “Quang Land with the culinary quintessence of four directions” (or “Quang Nam with the world’s culinary quintessence”)
Original dates: August 31 – September 3, 2023
Location: An Hội Statue Garden, Hội An city
Main goal: to honor, preserve, and promote Quảng Nam’s unique cuisine and tourism image
Key highlights (planned):
- An exhibition space featuring over 85 booths with local and international cuisine, as well as OCOP (One Commune One Product) specialties.
- Culinary demonstrations by about 26 renowned artisans and culinary experts showcasing typical Quảng Nam dishes.
- A ceremony to announce the inclusion of “Mì Quảng (Quang noodles) processing in Quang Nam Province” in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Note: some sources later reported that this specific August-September event was postponed for a “more suitable time.”

2. The Follow-up “1st Quảng Nam Culinary Culture Festival” (The Event That Took Place)

Theme: “Quảng Nam specialties”
Dates: December 30, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Location: Sông Hoài Square and An Hội Sculpture Garden, Hội An City
Focus: it was the first of its kind under this name, focusing heavily on promoting traditional Quảng Nam food like Mì Quảng (noodles), Cao Lầu (noodles), and Bánh Canh
Highlights:
- The festival’s opening ceremony on December 30, 2023, took place at Sông Hoài Square.
- A night program honoring the value of Quảng Nam culinary culture was held on January 1, 2024, in An Hội Sculpture Garden.
- It featured about 50 booths from districts within Quảng Nam and from neighboring Central Vietnam localities like Huế and Đà Nẵng.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2024

In 2024, the Hoi An International Food Festival doesn’t take place.

Hoi An International Food Festival 2025

In 2025, the Hoi An International Food Festival doesn’t take place.

Other Festivals & Cultural Events in Hoi An

Besides the Hoi An International Food Festival, visitors can visit these festivals in Hoi An:

+ monthly festivals: Hoi An Lantern Festival (Full Moon Festival, Light Festival)

+ yearly festivals: First Full Moon Festival (Tet Nguyen Tieu), Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), Dragon Boat Festival (Tet Doan Ngo), Hung Kings Festival, Lunar New Year (Tet Festival, Tet Nguyen Dan), Hungry Ghost Festival, An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival, Cold Food Festival (Tet Han Thuc), Hoi An International Food Festival, Corn Festival, Long Chu Festival, the Buddha’s Birthday (Le Phat Dan), Vu Lan Festival, Balloon Festival, Cau Bong Festival, Cau Ngu Festival, Hoi An – Japan Cultural Exchange,…

Best Food Tours in Hoi An Vietnam

Here are the best food tours with local guide in Hoi An Vietnam:

– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Lantern Boat Ride & Night Market

– Hoi An Private Food Tour

– Hoi An Night Walking Food Tour (Best Food Tour in Hoi An)

– Hoi An Night Market Food Tour with Lantern Boat Ride

– Hoi An Morning Walking Food Tour with Local Market

– Hoi An Street Food Walking Tour

– Hoi An Vegetarian Food Tour

– Hoi An Vegan Food Tour

– Hoi An History & Food Tour – Famous Landmarks & Specialty Dishes

– Hoi An Food Tour by Bike

– Hoi An Food Tour by Motorbike

Better to Know about Eating Local in Hoi An

– Local family-run restaurants always serve better local foods than tourist restaurants. Places inside small alleyways potentially are hidden gems. The price is even more affordable at these lesser known spots.

– Restaurants where you can see a queue or crowds, food or drinks there are absolutely better or safer than others. Vietnamese people also avoid places without people eating, such as roadside eateries.

– Hot foods are often safe to eat for non-Vietnamese people. Refuse cold food (especially ones sold on the street, markets) or things you don’t see people cooking.

– Make sure that you learn some basic Vietnamese words or sentences to order foods, such as xin chao (hello, hi), cho toi mot (something) (I want one…), toi an chay (I am vegetarian), khong cay (no spicy), cam on (thank you), tam biet (goodbye) or numbers (mot/one, hai/two, ba/three, bon/four, nam/five, sau/six, bay/seven, tam/eight, chin/nine, and muoi/ten).

– Ask any local people you know (tour guide, driver, hotel receptionists, bellmen, etc) to receive their recommendation for good places to eat local.

– Raw vegetables are popularly used in local dishes, such as noodles or noodle soup or sandwich. They are often washed by tap water or unwashed. If can not drink tap water, remove or refuse them. Likewise, in most iced drinks (such as coffee or herbal tea), people add ice made by tap water also.

– On the 1st day and 14th-15th days of each lunar month, Hoi An citizens eat vegetarians. Many local restaurants and street businesses will be closed by that.

– If you don’t eat pork or beef, due to diet or religious restrictions, be careful when want to try local food here, if don’t see the ingredient description. Pork and beef are very popular meats, so they will be in numerous dishes. Street vendors may say ‘no pork’ or ‘no beef’ for better business, but please check before buying!

– Consider joining a food tour guided by locals who know much better about dishes in the city, including things never mentioned in guidebooks or on the internet.

– If have an allergy (milk, egg, peanut, wheat,…), ask anybody you know before trying or search for ingredients on the internet. By the way, fish sauce is popularly used to marinate Vietnamese foods, so make sure that you know this information if you’re fish allergic.

– Food portion (or size) here is often not really big (locals prefer eating with their family at home). You may try double or some different dishes for main meals.

– If don’t see the price on the menu, please ask in advance to avoid overcharging, especially when you are not a local. In Vietnamese, how much is bao nhieu.

– Most popular cutleries are chopsticks and spoons. To know how to use it, browse here