VIETNAMESE SPICE HERITAGE FESTIVAL – MOUNTAIN FLAVORS THAT CAPTIVATE URBAN HEARTS
The “Vietnamese Spice Essence Festival” took place from April 28 to May 1, 2022, at the Community Activity Area of the Landmark 81 building, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. NTFP-EP Vietnam joined hands with the Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Goods, the Leading Business Club (LBC), the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association (FFA), the Traditional Fish Sauce Association, and the Center for Vietnamese Culinary Heritage Preservation to organize this special event. More than 50 enterprises and hundreds of spice enthusiasts gathered to explore and admire over 1,000 varieties of spices from across the country.
The festival aimed to honor the significance and affirm the value of Vietnamese spices through a series of educational and interactive activities highlighting the nation’s diverse and rare spice heritage. It contributed to the promotion of green consumption trends and introduced newly developed spice-based products with export potential. These innovations hold promise for contributing to the development of Vietnam’s spice economy and expanding the international reach of Vietnamese brands.
In addition, the festival updated the latest entries on the Vietnamese Spice Map. Special attention was given to spices recognized with geographical indications (GI) and OCOP certifications, attracting young consumers, entrepreneurs, and researchers eager to explore the vibrant future of Vietnamese spices. The event also served as a platform to connect spice producers and enterprises, opening up new market opportunities.
As part of this event, NTFP-EP Vietnam and SIE presented the Forest Garden Booth, showcasing a unique collection of wild and forest-based spices cultivated and preserved by ethnic minority community groups from various regions: Huong Rung group (Binh Thuan), Voi Rung group (Gia Lai), Moc Tam group (Dak Lak), Dung K’nớ group (Lam Dong), HESE group (Kon Tum), and Sang Dup group (Kon Tum).
(A wide array of natural spices from the Central Highlands’ forests were showcased at the Forest Garden booth)
In addition, the Forest Garden booth also featured traditional ethnic dishes. Each dish carried its own unique identity, reflecting the delicacy, dedication, and grace of indigenous women.
(Enjoying forest cuisine may not be luxurious or glamorous, but it is truly unique and captivating)
It was the simplicity and rustic uniqueness that brought a fresh breeze to the festival, winning the hearts of even the most discerning spice enthusiasts from the city. This success stemmed from the skillful application of subtle and harmonious spice blending principles, making each dish flavorful, aromatic, and rich with the essence of the forest.
As the “Vietnamese Spice Essence Festival” came to an end, local community groups walked away with a meaningful and enriching experience. They learned how to communicate, exchange, trade, and listen to feedback from urban consumers. They experienced a wide range of genuine emotions—from the joy of seeing their most cherished products sell well, to the worry when unexpected weather conditions or a lack of ingredients interrupted their sales. But when the festival ended, a collective sigh of relief washed over them, dissolving all anxiety. From those authentic experiences, local communities gained new motivation to continue developing their unique non-timber forest products—not only for the Vietnamese market, but with the ambition to reach out to the world.
The Forest Elephant Group shared:
“Once again, we would like to thank the NTFP ‘angels’ for creating such a meaningful opportunity for community groups to participate in the festival. It wasn’t just about promoting our products, making sales, or gaining market insights to improve—we also had the chance to bring our forest-based communities to the city for the very first time. For Ngan and Thom from Muong Village, Kbang, this was their first time ever visiting the city. That alone was a true joy.”
Representative of Sang Dup Group:
“Thank you so much to the NTFP team for giving us such a joyful journey—full of encounters, exchanges, and so many new and exciting connections.”
Moc Tam Group:
“We felt truly uplifted. Thank you, NTFP! It was such a fun and meaningful trip for Moc Tam. Now it’s time to regroup and plan our next move forward.”
Dung K’nớ Group:
“It was truly an unforgettable experience. All the anxiety and tension of our first day here melted away, replaced by surprises, happiness, and genuine care from the organizers, along with a warm welcome from customers. Thank you, NTFP-EP Vietnam!”
NTFP-EP Vietnam is deeply honored and grateful for the support and companionship of local community groups. Together, we created meaningful values and unforgettable memories at this event.
