On November 26, Ha Long University, in partnership with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam, successfully hosted the Azerbaijan Culinary Festival, a celebratory event showcasing the rich cultural and gastronomic heritage of Azerbaijan.

The festival welcomed an impressive delegation of international guests, including H.E. Shovgi Mehdizada, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam, H.E. Tumys Kanat, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam; H.E. Korhan Kemik, Ambassador of Turkey to Vietnam, alongside representatives from the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, the World Barbecue Association, and Vietnam–Pakistan Trading Co., Ltd.

Leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and partner organizations of Ha Long University also attended the event.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Duc Tiep, Rector of Ha Long University, warmly welcomed all dignitaries and underlined that Azerbaijan is a land enriched by history and nature, blessed with a diverse cultural heritage in which cuisine serves as a powerful bridge that conveys the spirit and lifestyle of its people. 

“Experiencing Azerbaijani cuisine here at Ha Long University allows our faculty, students, and local community to broaden their global understanding, embrace cultural diversity, and deepen international dialogue. International integration is one of our strategic pillars, and today’s festival opens many promising avenues for collaboration in training, languages, tourism, culture, and particularly in developing Halal tourism in Quang Ninh”, he added.

A highlight of the event was the Barbecue Competition, featuring five student teams from Ha Long University. Their dishes were evaluated by an expert panel of judges from the World Barbecue Association, the Quang Ninh Chefs Association, and executive chefs from leading hotels across the province. Competitors demonstrated creativity and technical skill as they reinterpreted Azerbaijani culinary traditions through their own culinary perspectives.

Ambassador Shovgi Mehdizade expressed heartfelt appreciation to Ha Long University and Quang Ninh province for hosting the festival. He emphasized that collaborative activities with Ha Long University have further strengthened ties between diplomatic missions, especially the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, and Quang Ninh. He also expressed hope that more large-scale cultural and educational events would be organized in the future.

The Azerbaijan Culinary Festival not only deepened cultural appreciation and gastronomic exchange between the two nations but also paved the way for expanded cooperation in education, tourism, and economic development, particularly in the emerging Halal sector.

The event sets a strong foundation for future international exchanges and reinforces Ha Long University’s growing presence on the global cooperation map.

By Nam Thanh