HÀ NỘI — The Food & Hotel Hanoi 2018 opened its doors on Wednesday at the International Centre of Exhibition, with more than 150 businesses from 13 countries and territories including those from the US, Spain, Singapore, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, China and Thailand.

The three-day event is showcasing food, beverage and related products. The exhibition will also display equipment for the food, beverage, restaurant and hotel industries. This is the first time Việt Nam’s leading food and hospitality trade event has been held in the capital after eight exhibitions in HCM City.

Lê Mai Khanh, permanent vice chairman and general secretary of the Việt Nam Hotel Association, said the event provides a platform for businesses to seek partners, especially in the north, expand markets and improve their competitiveness.

She said Việt Nam’s tourism sector has witnessed considerable growth, with a 20 per cent rise year-on-year and 11.6 million tourist arrivals in the first nine months.

The number of hotels and restaurants has so far hit 26,800 with 532,000 individual rooms, growing 10 per cent annually.

Foreign exhibitors such as Lutosa, Yuai, Unox, Syarikak, Mulwara Export, Meltique Beef, and Grupa Maspex, are showcasing their fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, tea and coffee, food materials and processed foods. Interior decor, kitchen utensils, laundry system, pastry and coffee making machines are also available.

A professional cooking and beverage competition, a food and hotel barista workshop and forums are also planned for the event. — VNS