International Food Festival 

Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi gave an interview to Phu Tho Television as follows:

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to participate in the 10th International Food Festival. I took this opportunity to extend my appreciation to Madam Ngoc, Mr Duong, and their team for organizing this event.

This event is an excellent opportunity to promote diversity and friendship among different cultures and nations. But, most importantly, the

International Food Festival fulfills its humanitarian purpose of uniting us in support of the less fortunate by gathering donations and contributions from participating organizations and individuals. This International Food Festival also serves as a venue to foster mutual understanding between the international communities and theVietnamese, especially in the culinary aspect. We can connect and exchange stories about our authentic and unique cuisines. Food is one of the crucial features of our cultural identity and a universal experience that can unite people. Moreover, with food, we can cross boundaries between communities or even between countries. In the word of Indonesia’s famous culinary expert, William Wongso, “food give no barrier to mankind.”

Our event today also aims to foster the spirit of togetherness that ASEAN consistently echoes. It is because we are so diverse and yet share a myriad of heritages; we are connected and united for the advancement of our people. ASEAN wants to share this spirit of togetherness with the rest of the world.

In addition to connecting people, food is also a source of economic growth. The food sector plays an essential role in our economy and ...diplomacy. Each nation is blessed with various resources that can be the source of strength for its development.

Viet Nam’s national dish—Phở—is an excellent example of this strength. I believe, for every Vietnamese, Phở has become a symbol of home, a symbol of Viet Nam. Many Vietnamese diasporas abroad have opened restaurants serving this delicious cuisine, helping to introduce Viet Nam to the international arena. Indeed, our International Food Festival today is a simpler event to promote uniqueness in every dish from around the world. But if we combined this event with a good business plan and a clear vision to ensure food security, it would contribute to growth and innovation in the food system and eventually support our national, regional, and global development. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I will not take any more of your time because I am sure all the guests, including myself, cannot wait to experience all the delicious food and beverages at today’s festival. I want to conclude by once again congratulating the organizers of the 10th International Food Festival for the excellent arrangements and wish them all success.

I sincerely hope you will have a memorable day.

Thank you".