The 2nd bánh mì festival will gather some 150 booths of bánh mì brands over aged 50. VNA Photo Hồng Đạt

HCM CITY – HCM City will host the second bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) festival on May 17-19, aiming to promote the Vietnamese cuisine which has grown in popularity among foodies from around the globe.

The HCM City Tourism Association (HTA) said on April 23 that the event will feature some 150 booths of renowned bánh mì brands aged 50 and above, restaurants, bakeries, and suppliers of materials and bread-making tools.

A space dedicated to the history of bánh mì will be arranged at the festival, helping popularise the food among both domestic and foreign visitors.

Other highlights of the festival include seminars on Vietnamese bánh mì and global tourism and cuisine, and a startup programme for women and pastry students.

Bánh mì is a type of Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with pâté, cold meats, and vegetables. Although they vary greatly between cities and between individual vendors, pork of some kind is usually used.

One of Việt Nam’s most beloved foods, it was first brought to the country by the French in the 19th century and has since undergone a number of adaptations and changes. They may be found anywhere, from the stalls of street vendors to the menus of the finest restaurants.

Last month, the Vietnamese food was ranked first in the list of the top 100 sandwiches in the world by international food website Taste Atlas. It also has had it name defined in reputable dictionaries like Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster, to name just a few. - VNS