The "Vietnam-Azerbaijan Food Day" 2023 took place this week at Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism (HCCT). 

The event was attended by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Vietnam Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade, Vice President of the World BBQ Association in Azerbaijan Don David, and Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Authority Ha Van Sieu, among other guests.

Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade (left), Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam. Photo: Tung Lam/The Hanoi Times

The event, jointly organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, was to acquaint the Vietnamese people with the specialties of Azerbaijani cuisine, especially barbecue, to promote the teaching of this dish at the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, and at the same time to encourage the students to join in more international cultural and culinary exchange activities.

5 teams joined in a barbecue contest. Photo: Tung Lam

At the Food Day, guests enjoyed signature Azerbaijani foods such as mutton, barbecue, or salads, as well as played spectators to a fierce barbecue contest between 5 teams of HCCT students and various towns and provinces such as Hoi An, Sa Pa.

A team joining the contest. Photo: Tung Lam

A team is performing a cooking test. Photo: Tung Lam

In particular, the world's leading chef in barbecue Don David performed top-notch techniques with barbecue and other dishes. He is currently the Vice President of the World BBQ Association, a member of the jury of the World Chefs Association, and the owner of a barbecue school and Don David Seafood Restaurant.

The team wins the contest. Photo: Tung Lam

BBQ is a popular party in Azerbaijan. Through this event, Ambassador Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade hoped to create a premise to strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan, and at the same time, help the people of the two countries enhance their mutual understanding through cultural exchange and cuisine.

Guests at the event. Photo: Tung Lam

A student from the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism said the event helped him learn more about Azerbaijani cuisine and ignited his passion for barbecue.