"The festival is a way of experiencing various aspects of Vietnamese culture through food," said Vietnamese Ambassador to Seoul Vu Ho during the opening ceremony of the festival at Seoul Children's Grand Park, west of the capital, last Saturday. "If you travel to Viet Nam, you will be surprised by the sheer variety of phở across the country, as each region has its own style and local flavors," Vu Ho boasted.
"This comforting food makes me feel like being at home," said Hoang Thanh Hiend, the 20-year Vietnamese student studying at Seoul Women's University.
"My kids love rice noodles," said Park Chan-gyu who visited the festival with his daughter and son. “It’s quite satisfying to enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes without spending a lot,” he added.
Duong Duc Huan, a Vietnamese chef with over 30 years of experience working at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his pleasure in showcasing his country's culinary delicacies to Seoulites and other gourmets.
The festival also featured energetic performances by famous Vietnamese singers such as Hamlet Trương, Phùng Khánh Linh, and Ricky Star, along with several sideline events like cooking classes, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture.
