The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ha Noi took part in the 2018 International Food Festival organized by the Service Department for Diplomatic Corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Viet Nam on 9 December 2018, for the 6th consecutive time.
The International Food Festival has become an annual event increasingly attracting the participation of many Embassies, foreign cultural centres and organizations in Viet Nam, domestic and international businesses, as well as representations from various provinces of the country, showcasing their products. There were 130 stalls run by 90 different entities, including the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ha Noi.
The Festival attracted over five thousand people, mostly Vietnamese, in spite of the bad weather conditions.
Sri Lanka Pavilion offered hoppers, Ceylon Cinnamon, handicrafts and handloom products. Further, a Sri Lankan garment factory in northern Viet Nam also provided winter jackets to be sold for charity. The Sri Lanka pavilion was also decorated to promote Sri Lanka tourism.
Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Spouse of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam and Honorary Chairwoman of the ASEAN Women's Circle of Ha Noi who heads the organizing committee, awarded a Certification of Appreciation for the contributions made by the Embassy of Sri Lanka. A cook book, containing recipes of participating countries were also published and launched for the first time on this occasion. The book contains two Sri Lankan food recipes – kiribath and vambotu moju.
At the food festival, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, together with other Ambassadors and spouses were invited to join a special event "Master Chef of South” a Vietnamese cooking competition hosted by Madame Mai Thị Hạnh, Spouse of former Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.
The funds raised through the event are to be donated to charity projects identified by ASEAN Women's Circle.
