As part of the official celebrations for Festival Hue and the Vesak Festival 2026, the Vietnam Tourism Association, in partnership with the Hue City Tourism Association, hosted the Hue Expanded Vegetarian Culinary Competition on May 26, 2026. This prestigious national event gathered top-tier educational institutions, luxury hotels, renowned restaurants, and professional chefs from across Vietnam.

Outperforming established hospitality venues and seasoned regional culinary teams, the delegation from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT) outstandingly claimed Second Place. This remarkable achievement showcases the exceptional expertise, creativity, and professional caliber of the students and faculty from the Culinary Arts and Science program within the Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts.

Centered on the theme "Hue Expanded Vegetarian Culinary Art," the contest honored the rich heritage of Hue’s plant-based cuisine while promoting healthy, eco-friendly, and sustainable tourism products. Competing teams were required to execute a flawless three-course vegetarian set menu (appetizer, main, and dessert) for four guests. Alongside the cooking phase, teams delivered a live defense detailing their menu’s core concept, cultural significance, nutritional profile, and commercial viability within the modern food and beverage industry.

To achieve this top tier finish, the HUIT team poured months of rigorous preparation into theme research, menu development, ingredient sourcing, aesthetic plating, and presentation skills. Their final menu beautifully balanced flavor, nutrition, and visual artistry while conveying a powerful message of sustainable living and cultural preservation.

This victory stands as a testament to the high-caliber, practical training at HUIT and the Faculty of Tourism and Culinary Arts. By seamlessly blending academic theory, scientific research, and hands-on practice, the program continues to empower students with the real-world competence and vocational skills needed to thrive in competitive global markets.

Securing a national podium finish adds another proud milestone to HUIT’s growing reputation in major professional arenas. Congratulations to our talented team for bringing home this exceptional victory! Their success will undoubtedly inspire the Faculty to keep elevating its training quality, driving culinary innovation, and conquering future professional stages.