‘Flavors Vietnam 2022’: Vietcetera, Mastercard Host Biggest Celebration Of Vietnam’s F&B Industry

Vietnam’s food and beverage scene has gone through evolutions over the years — from the emergence of new culinary innovations to the rise of trends and influences, and now to the challenges brought by the pandemic. All these have shaped the industry, and its players, into what it is now: resilient, ingenious, on fire.

As the local F&B industry continues to thrive amidst constant changes, it deserves to be celebrated in big, grand ways.

Vietcetera has always been a solid supporter of the industry, seeing its growth and the many transformations it has undergone to keep up with the social changes and discerning palates of both Vietnamese and pho-loving foreign consumers. In recognition of the F&B sector’s perseverance in taking its rightful place in the global culinary map, Vietcetera launched the Vietnam Food and Beverage Program in 2018. The event, which has now become an annual gathering of industry players, rising F&B professionals, and culinary enthusiasts, comprises conferences and awards ceremonies.

This year, to mark the third edition of the program, Vietcetera partners with Mastercard to create the biggest and grandest celebration of the food and beverage industry. ‘Flavors Vietnam’, as it’s now officially called, kicked off today in a hybrid format with both offline and online conferences joined by event sponsors, the Vietnamese media, and industry leaders.

The F&B program’s own evolution

The Vietnam Food and Beverage Program started small, with only two to five businesses joining its inaugural event in 2018. Industry leaders such as Anan Saigon, Tomatito, Mac Thi Buoi, and Pizza 4P’s took home the trophies for their headline-grabbing offerings and their inspiring allegiance to elevating the Vietnamese cuisine.

In November 2020, the second edition of the program saw a significant breakthrough. With more than 26 sponsors and over 300 businesses that took part in the exclusive conference and the Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards, Vietcetera witnessed the local F&B industry come alive amidst the gloom brought by the global health crisis. Local and foreign industry players showed so much passion and determination to continue lifting the industry up to greater heights.

Quince Eatery won the Grand Jury’s Choice for Best Restaurant, while Layla Eater & Bar was hailed as the Grand Jury’s Choice for Bar of the Year. Other winners include Bam Bam, Chef Julien Perraudin of Quince, and Nguyen Huu Phu of Irusu Lounge.

See the winners of Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards 2018 and 2020.

This year, with the support of Mastercard, the event offers more than just conferences and awards ceremonies. ‘Flavors Vietnam 2022' will be offering bespoke dining and delivery experiences from restaurant and bar partners exclusive for Mastercard holders, encouraging consumers to go cashless and to explore Tap&Go at Vietcetera events and partner merchants.

Winnie Wong, Mastercard Country Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos shared, “Mastercard has long been a brand that brings people closer to each other and their passions. Partnering with Vietcetera on Flavors Vietnam represents an incredible opportunity to foster a sense of connection over something that unites us all—food. Some of the most significant experiences we have revolve around sharing meals, whether it’s enjoying a home-cooked meal with family, or celebrating key milestones at our favorite eateries. Through Flavors Vietnam, Mastercard wants to bring people together for a celebration of tastes that will remind us of the meaningful moments that are important in life, and in doing so, create something Priceless.”

There are also other competitions, aside from the annual Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards, and multimedia series to fully capture the vibrance of the local F&B sector, and incomparable talents of Vietnam’s very own chefs and bartenders, and to further promote ‘Flavors Vietnam’ as a reliable platform to showcase the best of Vietnam’s dining scene.

"This is the third edition of the Flavors Vietnam program. We've been going from strength to strength over the years. In this year's edition, we hope to build a foundation for the industry and consumers that lasts for many years to come, anchored by our new partnership with Mastercard," Hao Tran, Vietcetera CEO, commented.

“Akin to the platforms that Mastercard has backed, such as the UEFA Champions League and Cannes Film Festival among many others, we aim to continue developing Flavors Vietnam into a regional and global program in the years to come,” Hao added.

Why ‘Flavors Vietnam’

A nation’s culture is defined by its traditional flavors — the ingredients, the spices and the liquors used to create distinct, authentic cuisine and local wines that become the heart and soul of the land they represent. In Vietnam, where tastes differ from region to region, the culinary innovations and expansive craftsmanship make the Vietnamese culture bolder and more flavorful.

Through ‘Flavors Vietnam’, Vietcetera aims to pay tribute to the thriving F&B sector, and to further empower renowned and rising restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, and industry professionals who have all contributed to the culinary prowess Vietnam holds.

"Our vision for this program is to lead discussions and create activations about regional and global food and beverage trends while making Vietnam our homebase. And why not? Vietnamese food is trending globally and more people are becoming curious about this destination," Hao Tran said.

Events to look out for:

• Vietnam Food & Beverage Conference: Hanoi 11.02.2022; HCMC 18.02.2022

An upscaled version of the past year’s conferences, this year’s event features the industry’s most prominent names, decision-makers, professionals, entrepreneurs and culinary enthusiasts in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

• Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards: 19.02.2022

Fondly called the #BanhMiAwards now becomes an official annual event celebrating Vietnam’s dedicated innovation of a rapidly-growing restaurant and bar community, recognizing key players and rising stars.

• Vietnam Restaurant Week: 05 - 13.03.2022

With a special restaurant map, explore over 50 venues, earn program stickers, and get access to exclusive menus for a week-long dining experience showcasing Vietnam’s best of the best.

• Rising Chefs Challenge: 25.03.2022

A one-day event where 10 aspiring young chefs take on challenges and whoever wins gets a special article feature on Vietcetera, cash prizes, and a lot more.

• Vietnam Bar Week: 09 - 17.04.2022

Refer to your bar map and take advantage of special deals when visiting each site. Plus earn a program sticker whenever you do.

• Multimedia Series: Không Cay Không Về & 9PM

Vietcetera is creating a weekly Food and Drink series that features chefs, bartenders and trailblazing cuisines. All videos will be uploaded on YouTube; audio versions will be available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

Major liquor sponsors: Diageo (owner of spirit brands Johnnie Walker and Tanqueray) and Lighthouse Group Indochina (exclusive distributor of beer brands Peroni and Super Bock)

Major food and beverage sponsors: Good Food (exclusive distributor of Orasi Milk, TableLands, Sunquick, Grand’Or, Farmers Union) and Nestlé (exclusive distributor of S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna).

Program sponsors: Kamereo and Lacàph.

All VVIPs and participants in this year’s series of events can expect delectable takeaways and meaningful insights from panel discussions, fireside chats, and immersive brand experiences.

The program also involves some of the most well-known chefs, influencers, F&B businesses and bon vivants to help make ‘Flavors Vietnam’ a cultural platform not just within our borders, but across regions.

Flavors Vietnam 2022 is the 3rd annual program hosted by Vietcetera and that offers a variety of gastronomic activities to boost the local food & beverage industry, and to shine a spotlight onto Vietnamese F&B players for a stronger recovery after the pandemic.

The program commences in January and runs through April, featuring highlights such as Vietnam F&B Conferences, Vietnam Restaurant and Bar Awards, Vietnam Restaurant Week, Vietnam Bar Week, Rising Chefs Challenge, as well as original multimedia series dedicated to food (Khong Cay Khong Ve) and beverages (9PM).

The flagship event of Flavors Vietnam 2022 is the Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards, fondly called the #BanhMiAwards to celebrate Vietnam’s dedicated innovation of restaurant and bar community, and to recognize key players and rising stars. Save your slot to attend the prestigious #BanhMiAwards on 19.02.2022!

Special thanks to all sponsors of Flavors Vietnam 2022: , Diageo (owner of Johnnie Walker and Tanqueray), (exclusive distributor of Peroni and Super Bock), , Nestlé (exclusive distributor of San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna), and .

During the course of Flavors Vietnam 2022, Mastercard cardholders enjoy the privilege of an exclusive 15% discount for all event tickets.