Judges evaluate baguettes during the Best Baguette & Best Croissant competition, Ho Chi Minh City, April 24, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of CCIFV
These two initiatives, hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV), were aimed at celebrating baking craftsmanship, fostering professional exchange, and highlighting the unique culinary fusion between French and Vietnamese traditions.
The competition, which took place on Friday morning, gathered professional bakers working across Vietnam, offering a platform to recognize their craftsmanship and commitment to quality.
Participants were judged by a panel of industry experts based on criteria including technique, texture, taste, and presentation.
Professional bakers’ entries in the Best Baguette & Best Croissant competition, Ho Chi Minh City, April 24, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of CCIFV
CCIFV said that it expected the competition to encourage continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and the elevation of professional standards within Vietnam’s baking community.
Speaking at the awards ceremony held on Friday evening, CCIFV president Thibaut Giroux praised contestants for their discipline, patience, and passion.
He emphasized that both Vietnamese banh mi and French baguettes, croissants each have distinct identities, but reflect a shared heritage of craftsmanship and cultural connection.
The Best Baguette & Best Croissant competition organizers present first prizes in the baguette and croissant categories, Ho Chi Minh City, April 24, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of CCIFV
Nguyen Thi Khanh, chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, remarked that French partners have enriched the festival with the French Market space, showcasing cultural icons and fostering long-term cooperation.
She said the competition provided a professional environment for bakers to improve skills and exchange experiences.
The event also reinforced CCIFV’s broader mission of strengthening Franco-Vietnamese ties through culinary diplomacy. As Giroux said, “Cuisine is a universal language. It brings people together and preserves traditions.”
Étienne Ranaivoson (1st row, C), Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, French and Vietnamese delegates, and contestants pose for a group photo at the awards ceremony of the Best Baguette & Best Croissant competition, Ho Chi Minh City, April 24, 2026. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
Alongside the competition, festival-goers can explore the French Market space featuring French products and locally distributed goods inspired by French culinary traditions.
Held from Thursday through Sunday at Le Van Tam Park, the 4th Vietnamese Banh Mi Festival has drawn large crowds from its opening day, reinforcing its status as one of Ho Chi Minh City’s standout culinary events and a platform to promote Vietnamese cuisine to international audiences.
