Celebrating another successful conclusion of Food&HotelVietnam Food&HotelVietnam2013, held from 24 to 26 April 2013, was again another success story! The 7 th edition of the show saw 12,394 trade attendees* transforming the 8,880 square metres of exhibition area at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center into a bustling international marketplace. From live demonstrations to product sampling, a record 434 exhibitors from 35 countries/regions went all out to promote their brands and products and successfully made many business contacts in the process. Trade visitors also benefitted from the opportunity to source from the wide range of products and services being showcased. Adding vibrancy to the show floor was a series of world-class competitions, including the prestigious Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2013, the well-established Vietnam Barista Competition 2013, and the inaugural Latte Art Competition 2013; as well as fringe activities such as the Basic Barista Course and Franchising Seminar and Workshop. The presence of over 80 members of the press an increase by 60% from the previous edition provided extensive media coverage of the show and bore actual testimony to Food&HotelVietnam being a truly international food and hospitality trade event serving Vietnam and its neighbours. *Trade attendees include trade visitors, exhibiting staff, and media.
Visitors Trade professionals from the food and hospitality industry in Vietnam and its neighbouring countries gave strong support to Food&HotelVietnam2013. A total of 9,648 trade visitors attended the 3-day show, giving it their thumbs-up and rave reviews. Below is the breakdown of visitors by regions. Region No. of Visitors Percentage Vietnam South 8,709 90.3% Vietnam North 147 1.5% Vietnam Middle Land and Central Highland 246 2.5% Rest of Indochina Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand 144 1.5% Rest of the world - Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, The Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States of America. 402 4.2% Total 9,648 100% Food&HotelVietnam2013 also welcomed a total of 100 buyer delegations. They included a diverse mix of decision-makers, purchasers and specifiers from companies such as Ben Thanh Group, Big C Supermarket, Cambodia Air Catering Services Ltd, CP Equipment Supplier Cambodia, Duc Phat Bakery, First Hotel, Intimex Group JSC, Jollibee Vietnam, Nikko Saigon Hotel, Park Royal Hotel, Rex Hotel Saigon, Song Be Golf Resort, Starcity Saigon Hotel, Vietnam Air Caterers, Windsor Property Management Group Corporation, and Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang. Buyers from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, took a 6-hour long bus ride to attend the show. Busy schedules and a 2-hour travelling time did not stop these delegates from Rex Hotel Vung Tau, who would not want to miss the biennial show.
The group delegation from Brodard Bakery included its bakers and purchasers. 3 groups totalling more than 50 F&B staff from Song Be Golf Resort visited Food&HotelVietnam2013. This year, Vietnam Air Caterers sent 2 groups of personnel to attend the show, including their General Manager Mr Nguyen Quang De. Mr. Dong Luong Son, General Manager of Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang, led his team of 22 personnel to source for products and network with suppliers. Hear what our visitors have to say Food&HotelVietnam2013 has improved over its past editions. I see many principals at the event, which proves the business growth potential of the Vietnam market, as well as the overall high quality of the event. Food&HotelVietnam2013 features a great variety of exhibits, and is a good place to check out new supplies. Mr. Richard Lim, C.P. Equipment Supplier, Cambodia This is my first time to Food&HotelVietnam and I came to look for food service equipment for my restaurant s buffet line, as well as food suppliers. After just one hour, I found many great options, and all the exhibitors have been very helpful and detailed in providing information. Mr. Nguyen Ta Hoang, Sherwood Residence, Vietnam
The range of exhibitors featured at Food&HotelVietnam2013 is more diverse than the last show. The exhibitors are friendly and always ready to introduce their products. I am pleased with the show and have already made some purchases for my company. Mr. Tran Van Thuong, Bun Long, Vietnam This is the third edition of Food&HotelVietnam that I have attended. As a restaurant management consultant, Food&HotelVietnam allows me to be informed of the products available in the market and gain knowledge of the hospitality industry. As compared to the previous editions, Food&HotelVietnam2013 has more exhibits. I am very pleased to have attended the exhibition. Mr. Hong Quoc Trung, Hospitality Management, Vietnam Exhibitors A record of 434 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions at Food&HotelVietnam2013, of which 73% are overseas exhibitors, reflects its resounding success as a truly international business platform serving the food and hospitality industry in the region.
For the first time, 19 group pavilions from 14 countries and regions participated in the show the highest participation rate for group pavilions ever! The pride displayed by each of them, from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, European Union, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, and U.S.A., in their native food and drinks being showcased, was palpable. Many buyers were visibly pleased, delighting in the product displays and variety of product choices, which complemented the local brands of foodservice and hospitality supplies, services and equipment well.
Review by our exhibitors Food&HotelVietnam2013 is indeed an excellent avenue for Spectrum Ingredients to penetrate into the Vietnamese market. Although new in Vietnam, we were able to get good leads who were interested in our product range. We view Vietnam market as a good potential for the food business and as such, Food&HotelVietnam provided the vital gateway to touch base with the Vietnam food companies. Mr. Joseph Raj, Country Sales Manager, Spectrum Ingredients, Singapore FHV is our first exhibition in Vietnam for our new agency line, Ridgid, a drain and pipe cleaning and maintenance programme. FHV2013 offers us great opportunities to promote and market the brand and programme. Our stand demonstration was an eye opener for hotel operators from Vietnam. As a result, the number of enquiries and contacts we received has exceeded our expectations. We will definitely come back for FHV2015. Mr. Benjamin Ho, KS Distribution, Singapore It s my first time exhibiting at FHV2013, and it was a fantastic experience! FHV provides a wonderful platform that not only showcases quality products, the event also allows me to network and impart product knowledge to local visitors. Having made really good business contacts, I highly recommend FHV to companies who wish to expand their reach and secure good local partners from this region. Mr. Berger Phang, Business Development Manager, Yu-Ai Food Industries, Malaysia Taiwan beers brand awareness has been elevated at FHV2013. At Kaimay, this was our biggest objective for exhibiting at the trade event. FHV served as an excellent platform where products are well-exposed and potential trade partners gather together in one place. We will surely support all editions in the future. Mr. Ken Tan, Director, Taiwan Beers by Kaiway Trading, Singapore
Competitions and Other Activities Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2013 Held over 3 days, 110 selected talents from across Vietnam competed in 12 classes at the prestigious Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2013, organised by the Saigon Professional Chefs Guild. Through rounds of intense competitions, the Vietnamese chefs demonstrated their culinary skills and techniques, and presented nothing but their best to the panel of distinguished judges and the large audience present at the arena. The chefs were hard at work, displaying their skills and creativity in a series of cook-offs at the Challenge. Nguyen Van Truong Giang from Equatorial Hotel was crowned the Grand Champion of Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2013.
Award winners and judges posed for the picture on the final day of the Challenge. Awards presented at the Vietnam Culinary Challenge 2013 include: Grand Champion Nguyen Van Truong Giang, Equatorial Hotel Best Culinary Establishment Team from Equatorial Hotel Vietnamese Cuisine Champion Tran Thi Lan Anh, First Hotel Hot Cooking Champion Vo Sang, Equatorial Hotel Best Artist Le Bao Quoc, Thuy Ta Dam Sen Restaurant
Vietnam Barista Competition 2013 The Vietnam Barista Competition has established itself as a renowned competition, attracting only the top baristas from across Vietnam. In its third edition, the competition was held over three days, and participants had to demonstrate their creativity and skill as a barista in front of a live audience. After rounds of stringent grading procedures, the prestigious winning title was given to Ho Quoc Tuan from Highlands Coffee, who was also the champion of the Vietnam Latte Art Competition 2013. Ho Quoc Tuan was crowned the winner of the third edition of the Vietnam Barista Competition, and will be given the honour of representing Vietnam at the FHA Barista Challenge 2014, which will be held at Food&HotelAsia2014 in Singapore. Alongside Ho Quoc Tuan (left) were first and second runner-ups Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (second from right) from Café Me and Truong Thanh Trung (right) from Tuno Coffee respectively.
Vietnam Latte Art Competition 2013 At the inaugural Vietnam Latte Art Competition, Ho Quoc Tuan from Highlands Coffee outshone 11 other fellow baristas in a 5-minute competition in which contestants had to present their best free pour Macchiato or Latte for judging. Ho Quoc Tuan, who also snatched a second win at the Vietnam Barista Competition 2013, obtained the highest score based on creativity, design and skill, and was crowned the first winner of the Vietnam Latte Art Competition. Ho Quoc Tuan from Highlands Coffee came out top at the inaugural Vietnam Latte Art Competition 2013. Franchising Seminar and Workshop Organised by Asiawide Franchise for the first time in Vietnam and alongside Food&HotelVietnam2013, more than 80 delegates turned up for the half-day Franchising Seminar and Workshop on 25 April 2013. The seminar room was packed with eager entrepreneurs, who were amply rewarded with valuable insights from the various presentations on franchising opportunities, trends and success stories.