The ASEAN Village has a food court with 50 stalls selling food from ASEAN members, such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, which attracted a large number of visitors. Many kinds of street food and specialities of different regions of Vietnam were introduced at the event, such as Banh xeo (a typical cake in the south), steamed sticky rice and noodles. Visitors also saw chefs showing their skills in cooking.
 The ASEAN Village – Ho Chi Minh City 2017 introduces to viewers to the country, people and traditional cultures of ASEAN members.  Artist Paulini from Malaysia shows his skills. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Brocade products of Cham people in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Painting on canvas of Indonesia attracts a large number of visitors.Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Floating flowers from Thailand.Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Jewelry from Malaysia.Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Souvenir gifts from Cambodia. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Special paintings from Indonesia.Photo: Thong Hai/VNP |
| Themed “Join Hands for Change and Global connectivity”, the 2017 ASEAN Village with many activities introducing visitors to the country, people, traditional culture and products of ASEAN countries was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of ASEAN (1967 – 2017) and 22 years of Vietnam’s accession to the bloc (1995 – 2017). |
Joseph Fisher, an American tourist who was visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, felt happy when eating Vietnamese food. “Your food is very delicious, the taste is very special. I tried the salad rolls and pancakes which are delicious. I learned about many new destinations when attending this event,” said Fisher.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said: “The city is determined to implement joint cooperation programmes and cultural exchange programmes to promote understanding and enhance economic exchanges, contributing to the implementation of the ASEAN initiative, making Ho Chi Minh City become an ASEAN city”.
Over the past 50 years of development, ASEAN has become an economic, cultural and social community, increasingly connecting its member countries together. Since its accession to ASEAN (1995), Vietnam has made every effort to join hands with others to build a more powerful, stable and peaceful ASEAN.
Vietnam is becoming a tourist and business destination, connecting ASEAN with countries outside the bloc. The major cities of Vietnam are attracting more and more foreigners and citizens of ASEAN countries to live, learn and work with cultural exchange activities.
Many cultural activities and large festivals have been held in Ho Chi Minh City which provide chances for locals and tourists to learn more about the cultural identities of Vietnam and ASEAN countries.
 BauTruc ceramic arts of Vietnam. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Youngsters with floating flowers from Thailand. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Vietnamese traditional dishes areintroduced at the ASEAN Village. |
