A smoked lobster pho served in a fine dining restaurant may feel contemporary, but for many Vietnamese, a simple bowl of traditional beef pho from a neighbourhood stall remains just as memorable.
While Vietnamese cuisine continues to evolve through new techniques and global influences, many of its most meaningful dishes are still rooted in local ingredients, family traditions, and regional stories. For many chefs, these familiar flavours remain the starting point for new ideas.
Behind Vietnam's 34 provinces and cities are countless dishes and culinary traditions that continue to shape the country's food culture today.
A New Chapter For Rising Chefs Challenge
As part of Flavors Vietnam 2026, Rising Chefs Challenge returns with this year's theme, "The Makers of Our Time." Co-organised by Vietcetera and Royal Arctika, the competition continues to support young culinary talent while encouraging a new generation of chefs to explore Vietnamese culinary identity through their own perspectives.
Open to participants aged 19 - 30, Rising Chefs Challenge provides a platform for aspiring chefs, culinary students, and young professionals to share their creativity while celebrating the regional flavours that have shaped them.
Aditya Sud, Regional General Manager of Royal Arctika, shared:
"For Royal Arctika, Rising Chefs Challenge is more than a competition. It is an opportunity to support young chefs as they develop their ideas, learn from experienced mentors, and share their own culinary perspectives. We hope this year's participants will continue exploring Vietnam's diverse culinary heritage while bringing fresh interpretations that reflect their generation."
Can A Dish Honor Its Roots While Defining A New Generation?
This year's competition follows two stages that reflect both personal memories and creative development.
The first round, "The Dish That Made You," invites contestants to submit a signature main course inspired by their hometown or personal story, together with a three-minute video introducing the dish. Entries will be evaluated based on storytelling, the use of regional ingredients, and culinary technique.
From all eligible submissions, the judging panel will select the Top 20. The Top 10 highest-scoring contestants will advance directly to the Grand Finale, while contestants ranked 11–20 will compete for the final place through a People's Choice Vote.
The Grand Finale, "The Dish That Makes You," is scheduled for 28 August at Saigontourist Hospitality College. The eleven finalists will create a three-course menu that reflects their own interpretation of Vietnamese cuisine.
Royal Arctika Joins The Creative Journey
This year, Royal Arctika joins Rising Chefs Challenge 2026 as a co-organizer, bringing a new dimension to the competition.
Sharing the belief that memorable dining experiences are shaped not only by culinary technique but also by craftsmanship, creativity, and thoughtful pairings, Royal Arctika will accompany contestants throughout their journey of turning ideas into complete dining experiences.
During the Grand Finale, the Top 11 finalists will face a special challenge featuring a secret ingredient revealed during the competition briefing. Each team must thoughtfully incorporate this ingredient into at least one dish within their three-course menu.
Between courses, Royal Arctika Day Chiller will be served as part of the judging experience. Acting as a palate cleanser, it helps remove lingering flavors and allows both the judging panel and invited guests to fully appreciate the subtle layers and creativity of each subsequent dish.
Through this collaboration, Royal Arctika and Vietcetera aim to provide emerging chefs with greater opportunities to showcase their cuisine, stories, and talents to Vietnam's wider F&B community.
Supporting The Next Generation Of Vietnamese Chefs
As one of the founders of Flavors Vietnam, Hao Tran, CEO of Vietcetera, said: "I'm proud to see Rising Chefs Challenge continue to grow as a platform that supports young culinary talent in Vietnam. Every season introduces new stories, perspectives, and ideas from the next generation of chefs.
Flavors Vietnam has always been committed to celebrating Vietnamese cuisine. This year, we're pleased to welcome Royal Arctika as a partner who shares that commitment, and we look forward to creating more opportunities for young chefs to share their work with the wider F&B community."
Rewards Worth the Challenge
Rising Chefs Challenge 2026 offers a total cash prize of VND 100 million, in addition to trophies, sponsor gifts, and media opportunities across Vietcetera's platforms.
The Champion will receive:
- VND 50 million in cash,
- Championship trophy,
- Sponsor prizes
- A short documentary
- An exclusive feature interview published across Vietcetera's channels
The First Runner-up will receive VND 30 million, while the Second Runner-up will receive VND 20 million, along with trophies and sponsor gifts.
All finalists will receive certificates, sponsor gift packs, and promotional opportunities across Vietcetera's social media platforms.
Applications Are Now Open
Applications for Rising Chefs Challenge 2026 are open from 11 July to 1 August 2026.
The competition welcomes contestants aged 19–30 who are passionate about cooking and currently living in Vietnam. Eligible participants include culinary students, vocational trainees, and professional chefs working in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and other F&B establishments.
If you have a dish that tells the story of your hometown, your memories, and your vision for the future of Vietnamese cuisine, now is the time to bring that story beyond your kitchen.
After all, Vietnamese cuisine is not defined only by the dishes that have already become famous—it continues to evolve through a new generation of chefs who are creating, experimenting, and shaping the flavors of their time.
Rising Chefs Challenge is part of Flavors Vietnam 2026. This year's competition is co-organized by Royal Arctika, bringing new culinary experiences while continuing to celebrate Vietnam's vibrant F&B culture.
Applications are open from 12 July to 2 August 2026.
Learn more about the competition here. Apply HERE.Grand Finale
Date: 28 August 2026
Venue: Saigontourist Hospitality College, Ho Chi Minh CityEnjoy Responsibly. 18+
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