World renowned Australian chef Luke Nguyen prepares a special menu with premium Australian produce like rock oyster, jade tiger abalone and lobster at the launch of Taste of Australia in HCM City on April 20. VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — Taste of Australia, the annual celebration of Australia’s food and beverages in Việt Nam, began on Wednesday (April 20) in HCM City.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is held for the first time in Việt Nam since 2019.

The programme hopes to spread the word about Australian produce and products available in Việt Nam, starting with a video series on a Melbourne-based Australian-Vietnamese chef Frank Pham that will feature premium Australian produce like beef, lamb, abalone, and rock lobster.

The programme will also present a web series to highlight Australian wine varieties and their pairing with Vietnamese foods.

It is partnering with nearly 40 restaurants in Hà Nội and HCM City to highlight the versatility and quality of Australian produce, fresh fruits and products.

There will be an extensive nation-wide promotional campaign to bolster the image of Australian products sold at major retail stores such as MegaMart, WinMart, BRG, Kingfood, and Annam Gourmet Market.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Australian consul-general in HCM City, Sarah Hooper, said: “This year’s Taste of Australia programme will again showcase the best of Australian food. It will build on Australia’s international reputation as a supplier of food and beverages that are high quality, safe and sustainable.”

The event will run until May. — VNS