Now in its 5th edition, Food&HotelVietnam2009 welcomed 7,784 trade visitors from Vietnam and abroad from 1-3 October 2009. It was 3 days of brisk business on the showfloor as trade professionals from Vietnam’s food and hospitality industry networked with 333 international exhibiting companies at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).

New this year at Food&HotelVietnam was FranchisingVietnam2009, an international exhibition on entrepreneurship for the hospitality and retail industries. Held alongside Food&HotelVietnam2009, visitors interacted with exhibitors with franchise offers for education, F&B and fashion industries.

Representatives from Hands On Co, Ltd (left) and Quality Kids Co. Ltd (right) explaining their company’s business models to press members

Show Statistics @ a Glance

• 7,784 trade visitors from Vietnam and aboard.
• 19 Buyer Delegations from Vietnam
• 333 international exhibiting companies from 30 Countries / Regions
• 9 International Group Pavilions – Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and U.S.A

7,784 trade visitors of which 95.4% from Vietnam were at Food&HotelVietnam2009 to gather the latest market intelligence and view new products and old favourites. Breakdown of visitors by Region as follows:

This year’s show saw no lack of buyer delegations on the hunt for quality products and supplies to improve their operational efficiencies and maximise profits. For many buyers in Vietnam, Food&HotelVietnam is a must-attend trade event. 19 Buyers Delegations turned up at the show, a testament to Food&HotelVietnam’s credible reputation as Vietnam’s most established international food and hospitality trade event.  

Some of the key companies / organisations who visited Food&HotelVietnam2009 included:

An Thai Trading Service Center * Big C Vietnam * CJ Bakery Vietnam * HAGL Plaza-Danang * Hotel Equatorial * Jujaegeun Bakery  * KFC Vietnam * Khaisilk Corporation * Kinh Do Group * Jollibee Vietnam * Mesa Group * Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam  * Mövenpick Hotel Saigon * Palm Song Be Golf Company * Park Hyatt Saigon Ramana Saigon * Saigon Tourist Holdings * Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers * Shop & Go JSC * Vietnam Air Caterers * Vietnam Lotteria Co. Ltd * Vinpearl Resort & Spa * Wrap and Roll Restaurants * Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Resort and many more!

This year’s event was the largest showing since Food&HotelVietnam’s debut in 2004. A record-breaking 333 international exhibiting companies from 30 countries / regions took part in Food&HotelVietnam2009; total exhibition area added up to over 9,000 sqm.

International exhibiting companies came from:

Australia * Belgium * Cambodia *Canada * Chile * China * Denmark * France * Germany * Hong Kong SAR * India * Indonesia * Italy * Japan * Korea * Malaysia * Philippines * Netherlands * Russia * Saudi Arabia * Singapore * Spain * Sweden * Switzerland * Taiwan * Thailand * Turkey * U.K * U.S.A * Vietnam

Exhibitors were pleased with the show’s turnout. Mr. Kenneth Verschooten, Marketing Manager of Unilever Foodsolutions Vietnam praised the show: “The visitor quality is good. We are happy to see many professional chefs who are our target buyers visiting the show. The Organiser has made a very good selection of visitors.” Ms. Sally Chua from Singapore’s Q’Son Kitchen Equipment Pte Ltd said: “We had quality buyers coming to our booth because they were attracted by the high quality stainless steel products that we offer. We sold all our equipment on display by the end of the second show day. We are very pleased as Food&HotelVietnam2009 has proved to be an extremely fruitful participation for us. We look forward to return again to Food&HotelVietnam in 2011.”

Among the exhibiting companies was USA’s Minnesota Department of Agriculture who exhibited for the first time at the show. Ms. Shannen Bornsen complimented the show and said: “As a first time exhibitor to Food&HotelVietnam, I was pleased with the steady buyer traffic at the show.  The buyers seemed genuinely interested in learning about U.S. products and finding new brands to bring to the market.  This show can be a good addition to companies’ marketing plans that focus specifically on Vietnam. “

Food&HotelVietnam2009 provided abundant business opportunities for 9 International Group Pavilions

Vietnam Barista Competition 2009
Organised by Singapore Exhibition Services and Kerry Ingredients, the inaugural Vietnam Barista Competition showcased the expertise, creativity and talents of 22 baristas in Vietnam. Competitors went through 3 days of competition under the watchful eyes of international judges.   Mr. Nguyen Quoc Viet from Vergnano Coffee emerged as the Champion and will represent Vietnam in the 2nd edition Asia Barista Championship during Food&HotelAsia 2010 (FHA) taking place from 20 – 23 April 2010.

Winners List:

Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2009

Vietnam Culinary Challenge, organised by Saigon Professional Chefs Guild, returned for its 3rd edition during Food&HotelVietnam2009. This year’s Challenge had the presence of internationally acclaimed chefs as judges. Featuring over 93 competitors from 36 companies/organisations across Vietnam, the competitors showcased their skills through 9 competition categories: Vietnamese Cuisine, Vietnamese Cuisine Display, Live Hot Cooking – Lamb Dish, Live Hot Cooking – USAPEEC Chicken, Live Hot Cooking – Fish and / or Seafood, Live Hot Cooking – Pasta Cooking, Cold Display – Individual Plated Appetizers, ANCHOR Dress the Cake, ANCHOR Plated Desserts and Fruit and Vegetable Carving.

A competitor put on the final touches to her masterpiece in the ANCHOR Dress the Cake competition

Executive Chef Rudolf Muller from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, one of the judges, with a winner at the Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2009

Ky Food & Foodstuff’s professional chefs combined competence with creativity emerged as the overall Grand Champion from a total of 93 competitors.

Other prize winners are:

Both Vietnam Barista Competition and Vietnam Culinary Challenge allowed contestants to show off their skills in front of an appreciative audience and added much buzz and anticipation over the three days.

Informative seminars held alongside Food&HotelVietnam2009, designed to support skills development of Vietnam’s food and hospitality industry, drew keen interest from local food and hospitality professionals.  Delegates who attended the Alsace Wine Seminar learnt about the origins and classifications of wines from the Alsace region in France, and how the wines can be paired with different cuisine.

The Australian Red Meat Food Safety Standard discussed on topical issues that surround meat and food safety, like temperature control, product handling, packaging and storage.

Food&HotelVietnam2011 will be back on 28 – 30 September 2011 @ Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC)