Cuisine and Culture: The Invisible but Strong Bridge Between Vietnam, Singapore and ASEAN

Ẩm thực và văn hóa: Cầu nối vô hình nhưng bền chặt giữa Việt Nam, Singapore và ASEAN

The event was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Singapore's National Day, the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, and the Vietnam-Singapore relationship that has just been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

The event was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Singapore's National Day (August 9, 1965 - August 9, 2025), the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025) and the Vietnam-Singapore relationship which has just been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (March 12, 2025) - an important step forward, demonstrating the close relationship, strong economic cooperation and increasingly rich people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The Singapore Food and Culture Festival 2025 showcases some of Singaporeans' most loved dishes as well as fun interactive experiences with traditional Singaporean culture, especially fashion .

The event was attended by Honorary President of the ASEAN Women's Group in Hanoi Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, President of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Ky, President of the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association in Hanoi Tran Anh Tuan and representatives of embassies and international organizations in Vietnam along with many international friends and guests.

Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam delivered the opening speech at the festival. (Source: Singaporean Embassy in Vietnam)

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam said that the appreciation of diverse heritage has united Singaporeans as a community. A report by the Pew Research Center even ranked Singapore as the most religiously diverse country in the world.

“Our cuisine and fashion reflect that openness, and through it, who we are. This has created our collective identity – how we present ourselves to the world and how we want the world to see us,” Ambassador Jaya Ratnam emphasized.

According to Ambassador Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean cuisine is influenced by many cuisines from East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In 2020, Hawker Culture - Singapore's street food culture was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Despite their historical and geographical differences, Singapore and Vietnam share a culinary affinity that values harmony, freshness and community. “Singaporeans love pho, banh mi and other Vietnamese specialties, and it’s not hard to see why: Not only because of the delicious taste, but also because Vietnamese cuisine reminds us of something very familiar,” said Ambassador Jaya Ratnam.

Sharing about Singaporean fashion, notably the kebaya, Ambassador Jaya Ratnam emphasized that kebaya is not only a symbol of identity, grace and resilience of many communities in Southeast Asia, including Singapore. In 2024, kebaya was inscribed as a UNESCO Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is also Singapore's second UNESCO heritage, and is the largest nomination ever from Southeast Asia, with the participation of other countries including: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Therefore, kebaya reflects the unique cultural blend of Southeast Asia and is a great symbol of multiculturalism and connectivity in the region.

Honorary President of the ASEAN Women's Group in Hanoi Vu Thi Bich Ngoc spoke to highlight the practical significance of the event. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

As the guest of honor of the program, Honorary President of the ASEAN Women's Group in Hanoi Vu Thi Bich Ngoc said that the Singapore Food and Culture Festival, where traditional and contemporary quintessence converge, has brought to Hanoi vivid and intimate experiences of the "lion island" country.

Highlighting the practical significance of the festival, Ms. Vu Thi Bich Ngoc emphasized: “I believe that culture and cuisine are invisible but strong bridges between nations. We may come from different lands, speak different languages, but we can understand and connect through dishes rich in identity or charming traditional costumes.”

Pointing out that 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Community, the Honorary Chairwoman of the ASEAN Women's Community Group in Hanoi believes that meaningful cultural exchange activities like this will contribute to promoting deeper understanding among the peoples of the ASEAN family, strengthening cohesion, and moving towards a "creative, self-reliant, dynamic, people-centered" ASEAN community.

Ms. Vu Thi Bich Ngoc presented flowers to congratulate Ambassador Jaya Ratnam and his wife. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Taking place from July 4-6, the Singapore Food and Culture Festival 2025 is vibrant and colorful with fashion shows and dances in kebaya costumes, cooking tutorials, beading workshops, etc.

Just as each stitch of a kebaya weaves history and identity, the culinary culture at the festival continues to connect the ASEAN community more closely.

Some pictures at the festival:

Colorful kebaya fashion show. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Dance performance in kebaya costume. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

The event attracted many international friends and guests. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam and his wife introduce kebaya to Honorary Chairwoman of the ASEAN Community Women's Group in Hanoi Vu Thi Bich Ngoc. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Meaningful cultural exchange activities contribute to promoting deeper understanding among the peoples in the ASEAN family. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Delegates experience Singaporean cuisine. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Singaporean artisans introduce their products. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Chef shares about Singaporean cuisine. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)

Just as each stitch of a kebaya weaves history and identity, the culinary culture at the festival continues to connect the ASEAN community more closely. (Source: Singapore Embassy in Vietnam)