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The festival is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and partners across the United States, including the U.S. Meat Export Association, the U.S. Chicken and Egg Export Council, the U.S. Potato Association, the U.S. Blueberry Association, the U.S. Raisin Association, the Washington State Apple Council, the California State Dairy Council, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Association, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and the California Fresh Fruit Association. The festival will feature a speech by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Alexis Taylor, and a cooking demonstration.
U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper stated, "One year ago, on September 10, 2023, the United States and Vietnam announced the upgrading of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The close cooperation between Vietnam and the United States in agricultural trade is once again a testament to our commitment to building a better future for our people, the region, and the world. This is the third year I have attended the American BBQ Festival, an initiative of the Agricultural Foreign Affairs Office in Hanoi. The festival has become an annual tradition and a much-talked-about event in Hanoi."
Deputy Secretary Alexis Taylor and representatives from nine US state Departments of Agriculture.
U.S.-Vietnam agricultural trade has grown strongly over the past five years. Vietnam is the tenth largest importer of U.S. agricultural products, while the U.S. is the largest importer of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Deputy Secretary Alexis Taylor shared: "This is a special opportunity for food lovers in Hanoi to enjoy and learn about U.S. ingredients, their freshness, health benefits, superior quality, and versatility in application. This year, the festival coincides with the visit of the U.S. Agricultural Trade Delegation to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The delegation comprises over 100 members, including 50 representatives from 35 U.S. businesses, representatives from nine State Departments of Agriculture, and representatives from 21 agricultural industry associations under the U.S. Department of Agriculture."
Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs of Agriculture Alexis Taylor (in blue) speaks.
Guests have the opportunity to enjoy an American-style barbecue with over 30 dishes made from 24 American ingredients, including pork, Nebraska beef, chicken, seafood, potatoes, California cheese, Washington apples, blueberries, raisins, tofu and cooking oil made from American soybeans, American peaches and nectarines, and many other ingredients. The buffet dinner menu is specially designed and prepared by the chefs of MOSAICO restaurant, Melia Hanoi five-star hotel. The festival runs from now until September 14, 2024.
Santiago Cabre, General Manager of Melia Hanoi Hotel, said: "We are delighted and honored to partner with the Agricultural Foreign Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi to co-organize the 2024 American BBQ Festival. I am excited to share the story of American barbecue tradition and take food lovers in Vietnam on a culinary journey with many creative dishes using ingredients sourced from agricultural product associations under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
