A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES GATHERING OVER 1,000 EXPERTS AND LEADERS IN DA NANG 2025: CONNECTING FROM CULINARY ARTS TO HOSPITALITY STRATEGY

[Da Nang, November 11, 2025] At the International Convention Palace (ICP), Furama Resort Da Nang, the 5th Da Nang Professional Chef Competition 2025, together with the Hospitality Industry Strategy Seminar, was officially held.

Image 1: Official opening of the 5th Da Nang Professional Chef Competition 2025 and the Hospitality Industry Strategy Seminar

Aiming to create a healthy professional platform that offers chefs opportunities to connect, exchange experience, enhance skills, and improve service quality, the event was jointly organized by the Da Nang Labor Federation, Da Nang Hotel Association, the U.S. Egg & Poultry Export Council, Furama Resort Da Nang, HORECFEX, and the Da Nang Culinary & Cultural Association.

Entering its fifth season under the theme “Da Nang Cuisine Integrating International Flavors”, the program continued to affirm its position as a prestigious and large-scale event in the culinary and tourism sectors, attracting more than 1,000 participants. Attendees included representatives from municipal departments and agencies, associations such as the Da Nang Tourism Association and Travel Association, along with 16 official competing teams from leading hotels, resorts, and F&B establishments in the region.

Image 2: More than 1,000 experts and leaders attending the event

Notably, a key highlight of this year was the expanded scale and enhanced regional exchange, with the participation of teams from neighboring localities such as Huế and Quảng Trị. This contributed to enriching Central Vietnam’s culinary identity and demonstrated the growing regional influence of the event.

Image 3: The 5th edition with expanded participation across Central Vietnam provinces and cities

Official opening of the Da Nang Professional Chef Competition 2025

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyễn Đức Quỳnh – President of the Da Nang Hotel Association, representing the Organizing Committee, emphasized the strategic role of the event: “After five seasons, the Da Nang Professional Chef Competition has become a symbol of passion, creativity, and integration. The event not only honors culinary talent but also reflects the continuous efforts of Da Nang’s culinary community, and Vietnam as a whole, to elevate professional skills, preserve national identity, and move toward international standards. Today’s event is not only an occasion to celebrate culinary excellence, but also a starting point for new collaborations, creative ideas, and sustainable development orientations for Vietnam’s Tourism – Hospitality – Culinary industries in the future.”

Image 4: Mr. Nguyễn Đức Quỳnh emphasizing the strategic role of the event

On this occasion, he also highlighted the event’s role in spreading a spirit of solidarity within the Tourism – Hospitality – Culinary community. Representing the Organizing Committee, Mr. Nguyễn Đức Quỳnh donated VND 30 million to support trade union members and workers under the Da Nang Labor Federation affected by storms and floods in 2025, demonstrating the industry’s sense of social responsibility.

Image 5: Donation presented to the Da Nang Labor Federation

Accompanying the competing teams this year was a distinguished panel of domestic and international industry experts. Notably, Chef Norbert Ehrbar, a member of the World Master Chefs Association from Switzerland with over 45 years of experience, was present. Joining him was Chef Doãn Văn Tuấn, the first Vietnamese Executive Chef of the Furama – Ariyana Da Nang Tourism Complex, Vice Chairman of the Central Region Artisan Guild under the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association, and a certified transfer expert and artistic judge for CBMA and Leizing-Avestos (Federal Republic of Germany). Alongside them were renowned Vietnamese chefs such as Chef Nguyễn Danh Hinh and Chef Lê Xuân Tâm, bringing deep expertise and creative inspiration to the younger generation of chefs.

This year’s competition recorded outstanding professional quality from teams representing leading hotels, resorts, and F&B brands in Central Vietnam. Their presentations demonstrated refined craftsmanship, modern culinary techniques, and a strong celebration of Vietnamese culinary identity in each dish.

Image 6: Kimmy Cuisine & Lounge with its presentation of Chicken Mousse wrapped with cold-brew coffee jelly

Image 7: Team 16 representing Danang Marriott Resort & Spa participating in the competition

Image 8: Herbal Pizza & Steak restaurant chain with the dish “Reborn from the Flood: U.S. Chicken Sausage”

Image 9: Award ceremony honoring teams with outstanding presentations

Hospitality Industry Strategy Seminar: A Strategic Continuation of the Culinary Event

Running alongside the culinary competition was the Hospitality Industry Strategy Seminar, a key component of the event, gathering leading experts, managers, and representatives of Vietnam’s top hotel and resort brands. The seminar provided an open forum to discuss Da Nang’s tourism development orientation and vision for 2026, digital transformation and operations, supply chains, and sustainable development.

One of the most engaging discussions was delivered by Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thắm – Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, focusing on the city’s flight route planning and tourism promotion programs for 2026. According to Ms. Thắm, Da Nang’s tourism industry is targeting strong growth in 2026, centered on two main pillars: expanding the international flight network and innovating destination promotion policies. Specifically, the city plans to open 1–2 new international routes to Chu Lai Airport, while maintaining and expanding air connectivity to Da Nang to attract more international visitors from key markets such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Image 10: Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Thắm sharing the city’s tourism development orientation

Following her presentation, Mr. Phạm Ngọc Lợi – Director of Digital Transformation, KSND Division, Phú Long, shared insights on applying the AI Hotel Strategist (AIHS) to optimize hospitality data utilization.

Image 11: Mr. Phạm Ngọc Lợi presenting data optimization solutions for the hospitality industry

The Da Nang Professional Chef Competition 2025 and the Hospitality Industry Strategy Seminar concluded successfully, leaving a strong impression on both industry professionals and the broader tourism and culinary business community. The two parallel activities embodied the spirit of “Connection – Elevation – Integration”, reaffirming Da Nang as a dynamic, creative destination with strong potential for sustainable development.

The success of the event was reinforced by strategic sponsorship from Maggi, along with major brands such as MENA Gourmet (premium supermarket chain), Chất lượng Sao, Herbal Pizza & Steak, and Vietfarm, which provided high-quality solutions and ingredients, strengthened B2B linkages, and promoted exchange between suppliers and the hospitality community.