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The annual Taste of Australia festival in Ho Chi Minh City continues to reinforce its role as a bridge linking cultural and culinary exchanges with economic cooperation between Vietnam and Australia. Since Taste of Australia 2025, the two countries have reported positive progress in expanding and implementing major free trade agreements, including the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These frameworks are described as providing a foundation for strengthening commercial opportunities between the two economies.
This year’s festival includes multiple activities: a culinary promotion program at participating restaurants from March 28 to April 26, the Taste of Australia Exhibition on April 18, and a Gala Night on the same day. Organizers said the event not only showcases Australian agricultural products, foods and beverages, but also serves as a forum to connect businesses from both countries.
At the Gala Night on April 18, Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said Taste of Australia has become a distinctive culinary meeting place with cultural value, while also functioning as an effective platform for linking the business communities and people of Vietnam and Australia.
Mr. Cuong noted that Ho Chi Minh City has opportunities to deepen cooperation with Australia across several fields, including high-tech agriculture, the food processing industry, logistics, education, innovation, and sustainable urban development.
The 2026 edition is described as special because it is the final Taste of Australia during the tenure of Ms. Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City. She expressed appreciation for support from city authorities and the public, and said the program is an important occasion to strengthen business connections, promote cultural exchange, and bring high-quality Australian products closer to Vietnamese consumers.
The Taste of Australia Exhibition is highlighted as the main event, featuring about 90 partners and sponsors from both countries. The exhibition showcases a range of agricultural products, foods, and beverages. The program’s ambassador, chef Sam Tran, is also noted for bringing culinary innovations that combine Australian ingredients with Vietnamese preparation styles.
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