The upcoming Week of Italian Cuisine offers a rare chance to explore Italy’s food culture far from Europe. Readers will see how a UNESCO label can turn a culinary celebration into a bridge between two nations.

The 11th Week of Italian Cuisine in Vietnam runs from November 14 to 20, with selected events continuing until December 15, in Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong Province. It is organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City together with the Italian Trade Agency, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and other partners.

The 2026 edition is titled ‘Italian Cooking, UNESCO Heritage: Territories and Value Chains of Excellence.’ It follows UNESCO’s 2025 recognition of Italian cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting the importance of regional food traditions.

The program highlights links between culinary traditions, local communities, agricultural biodiversity and the quality of regional food products. Its aim is to show Vietnamese people the diversity of Italian cuisine beyond the few dishes they already know.

Consul General Alessandra Tognonato said the event seeks to demonstrate Italian cuisine’s regional diversity and that dining nourishes the soul and social life. She added that the dining table becomes a lively place where people laugh, talk and share stories.

Launched in 2016 by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Week of Italian Cuisine promotes Italian food culture, regional culinary traditions and the principles of the Mediterranean diet. The festival therefore illustrates how UNESCO recognition and cultural heritage can inspire international food events that enrich both locals and visitors.