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A vibrant exhibition space in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
On April 18, 2026, the 5th floor of The Reverie Saigon Hotel transformed into a vibrant exhibition space, bringing together nearly 90 partners and sponsors from Vietnam and Australia. This impressive number demonstrates the increasingly close and diverse economic cooperation between Vietnam and Australia. Running from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, the exhibition offered free access to all visitors, from food enthusiasts to professional industry partners seeking world-class sourcing.
The vibrant atmosphere of the Taste of Australia exhibition on April 18th at The Reverie Saigon hotel.
Sharing about this proud journey, Ms. Sarah Hooper - Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized: "TOA (short for Taste of Australia) is actually an idea that was born and first organized in Ho Chi Minh City about 10 years ago, in 2016. This is an event that the Australian government has been implementing in many other countries around the world so that Australia can showcase its products, innovations and capabilities to the international market."
She affirmed that the connection that began in Ho Chi Minh City still holds special significance, affirming Vietnam's position as an irreplaceable link in the strategy to promote Australian products to the international market. The core purpose of the Taste of Australia 2026 exhibition is not only to showcase typical food and beverage items but also to contribute to celebrating the cultural and creative values of Australia to everyone, aiming to connect people together.
The event is not only an exhibition showcasing Australian products but also contributes to connecting and strengthening the relationship between Australia and Vietnam, and between people.
In Australian culture, food acts as a powerful catalyst for social relationships. This is perfectly analogous to Vietnamese culture, where activities ranging from family and friends to business negotiations often revolve around the dinner table. This similarity has created a solid foundation for Australian products to penetrate deeply into and receive a warm welcome from the Vietnamese market, Sarah noted.
Ms. Sarah Hooper - Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City (in blue shirt) visiting the exhibition.
Outstanding activities and lasting impact
At this year's exhibition, attendees have the opportunity to directly sample and purchase a diverse range of brands, from food and beverages to health supplements. The event brings together all product segments, from small-scale artisanal producers showcasing regional characteristics to large-scale agricultural corporations with strict export standards.
At the booths, visitors can not only observe but also directly taste and purchase premium food and beverages currently available in the Vietnamese market. This is a rare opportunity for consumers to directly engage with suppliers, learn about sustainable production processes, and the natural values that Australia is always proud of.
At the exhibition, visitors can chat directly with suppliers from Australia.
A particular highlight was the presence of businesses from the Mekong Delta region – partners of the Business Partnership Platform (BPP). Visitors had the opportunity to learn about products made from palm trees or floating rice.
Some products made from palm and wheat are popular.
According to Sarah Hooper, this connection is a perfect complement: "I think food is a very important link, especially with the relationship between Australia and Vietnam. The two countries support each other, as in agriculture, for example." She explained that while it's the season for one food in Vietnam, it's the season for another in Australia, and this helps boost trade between the two countries. Vietnamese passion fruit and pomelo are exported to Australia, diversifying Australian cuisine. Conversely, Australian wheat and barley are exported to Vietnam for bread and beer. This illustrates the correlation between the two countries when it comes to trade in food, agricultural products, and even agricultural technology.
The intersection of knowledge and technology in future agriculture.
The Taste of Australia 2026 exhibition is not just a trade fair, but also a forum for the exchange of knowledge and cutting-edge technology. Besides product showcases, the event dedicates significant space to priority areas such as education and skills training. Visitors can directly interact with representatives from leading Australian universities to learn about internationally standardized training programs in restaurant and hotel management and culinary arts.
The exhibition includes areas dedicated to education and projects supported by the Australian Government.
"We are fortunate to have a very good relationship with Vietnam when it comes to the tourism and hospitality industry," said Sarah. Currently, many Australian schools are training Vietnamese hotel and restaurant managers and chefs to international standards. In addition, many courses and training programs related to tourism, hospitality, and tourism that meet Australian standards are being taught at Australian schools throughout Vietnam.
Ms. Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia in Ho Chi Minh City, shared her expectations regarding the opportunities that Taste Of Australia will bring to the tourism industry of both countries.
With these standards, representatives from the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City expressed their hope that the Vietnamese trainees would not only assist Australian tourists visiting Vietnam, but also tourists from other countries, impressing them with what Vietnam has to offer. Conversely, Australian chefs would also come to Vietnam for training and learning how to handle Vietnam's finest products, such as fish sauce. Upon returning to Australia, they could then create new dishes and better serve Vietnamese tourists visiting Australia, shared Sarah Hooper regarding expectations in the training sector.
The exhibition also opens up opportunities for educational collaboration to help improve the quality of human resources in the culinary industry.
Beyond simply buying and selling goods, the exhibition also serves as a platform for disseminating the latest technologies in food safety, preservation techniques, and advanced processing methods. In addition to existing products, international cooperation between Vietnam and Australia facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience in various aspects of technology, such as food safety, preservation and processing methods, and new approaches in farming and livestock raising.
The event concluded with a vision of stability and prosperity, strengthening the enduring relationships rooted in the very essence of cultural exchange.
