Flavors Conference 2026: 3 Shifts Set To Shape Vietnam’s F&B Industry

Vietnam’s F&B Industry: Continued Growth, New Choices

According to NEXPO, Vietnam’s F&B market still holds significant room for growth, driven by urbanization, an expanding middle class, and increasingly diverse consumer demand. The middle class is projected to account for 26% of the population by 2026, creating further momentum for dining and experience-led consumption.

At the same time, consumer expectations are evolving. Health, ingredient provenance, experience, and sustainability are playing a greater role in dining choices. Meanwhile, more than 50,000 F&B outlets closed in the first half of 2025 alone, suggesting that while growth opportunities remain, competition is becoming increasingly demanding.

Moving forward, businesses will need a deeper understanding of the shifts taking place across consumer tastes, dining behavior, and the wider business landscape.

Since 2020, Flavors Conference formerly known as the Vietnam F&B Conference, has served as an annual platform for the F&B community to exchange perspectives on the movements shaping the industry. While previous editions explored resilience, growth, and innovation, Flavors Conference 2026 looks ahead to the shifts that could define the market’s next chapter.

Returning on October 10, 2026 at Le Méridien Saigon, this year’s conference will bring together founders, operators, chefs, brands, investors, and industry experts to explore three major shifts shaping Vietnam’s F&B industry: The Changing Palate, The Changing Diner, and The Changing Playing Field.

What Will Flavors Conference 2026 Explore?

The Changing Palate

Consumer tastes are evolving faster than ever. Trends can emerge and fade within months, while every decision to introduce a new menu item comes with growing cost and operational pressures.

Through The Changing Palate, Flavors Conference 2026 will bring together industry experts to explore how tastes are evolving, from sensory science to health-driven consumption, and how businesses can distinguish short-lived hype from shifts worth investing in.

The Changing Diner

Today’s diners are looking beyond what is on the plate. Experience, atmosphere, and trust increasingly influence where and how they choose to eat.

The same consumer may look for an affordable lunch while being willing to spend considerably more on a memorable evening experience. Through The Changing Diner, the conference will examine changing consumer behavior and how businesses can build loyalty in a market where diners have more choices than ever.

The Changing Playing Field

As tastes and diners evolve, the F&B business landscape itself is entering a new phase of competition.

From cost pressures and operational standardization to M&A, franchising, and digital transformation, businesses are being pushed to adapt at an increasingly rapid pace. Through The Changing Playing Field, Flavors Conference 2026 will explore practical perspectives on operations, growth strategies, and sustainable development in a constantly evolving market.

What To Expect At Flavors Conference 2026

Leading Voices from Across The F&B Industry

One of the defining features of Flavors Conference each year is its lineup of industry leaders, experts, and people directly shaping the F&B landscape.

In 2024, the conference brought together dozens of speakers from across the industry, including Thue Quist Thomasen of Decision Lab, Summer Le of Nén, Nguyễn Trung Dũng of Dh Foods, Trần Nhật Quang of Là Việt, as well as international content creators Sonny Side and Andrew Fraser. Vietcetera’s official 2024 materials also featured founders and executives from Pizza 4P’s, KAMEREO, CloudEats, Big CTY Life Restaurant Group, and other businesses across the F&B ecosystem.

Continuing that spirit, Flavors Conference 2026 will bring together leading voices from across the industry to share perspectives on the changes shaping the future of food and drink in Vietnam.

Conversations Grounded In Real-World Experience

Rather than focusing on conventional success stories, Flavors Conference 2026 is designed around conversations grounded in data, real-world experience, and practical takeaways.

Perspectives From Across The F&B Ecosystem

Flavors Conference brings together voices from across the F&B ecosystem, including chefs, brands, operators, media professionals, investors, founders, and industry experts.

This diversity allows each topic to be examined from multiple perspectives, offering a broader picture of the changes unfolding across the industry. This approach is also consistent with Flavors’ 2026 positioning as a platform connecting the people, ideas, and experiences shaping Vietnam’s food and drink culture.

A Platform For The F&B Community To Connect

Beyond the talks and panel discussions, Flavors Conference creates opportunities for the F&B community to meet, exchange ideas, and build new connections.

For businesses, brands, and industry professionals, the conference offers a platform to meet potential partners, share experiences, and explore new opportunities for collaboration as the industry continues to evolve. Vietcetera’s official 2026 materials similarly position the conference as a space for networking, collaboration, and new partnerships.

Join Flavors Conference 2026 to explore the shifts shaping Vietnam’s F&B industry and take away practical perspectives for the road ahead.

Flavors Vietnam 2026 is Vietcetera’s annual F&B platform dedicated to the people, ideas, and experiences shaping Vietnam’s food and drink culture.Under the theme “Thời Vị – The Flavors of Our Time,” the program brings together a series of activities designed to connect the F&B community, celebrate meaningful contributions, inspire new ideas, and contribute to the future of Vietnam’s F&B culture.As part of Flavors Vietnam 2026, Flavors Conference 2026 will bring together founders, operators, chefs, brands, investors, and industry experts to explore three shifts shaping Vietnam’s F&B industry: The Changing Palate, The Changing Diner, and The Changing Playing Field.Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, October 10, 2026
Venue: Le Méridien Saigon, 3C Ton Duc Thang Street, Ho Chi Minh CitySpecial thanks to the sponsors and partners of Flavors Conference 2026: Gold Sponsor: Royal Arctika; Bronze Sponsor: SpeedPOS; Venue Sponsor: Le Méridien Saigon.To learn more about Flavors Conference 2026 and register for the event, please visit the official event website.