Nearly 150 chefs from more than 100 hotels across the country are taking part in a three-day cooking contest organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) at Hanoi’s Water Park from January 5-7.

The contest aims to introduce and preserve the nation’s traditional dishes, which has for long become popular with international visitors and is one of the main reasons for their visit to Vietnam every year.

“The contest is not only a chance for us to promote Vietnamese food and maintain its origin but also an opportunity for contestants to improve their knowledge and sharpen their cooking skills,” said VNAT’s head of the Hotel Department, Do Thi Hong Xoan.

All dishes will be recorded in a list and used as a basis for tourism promotion and teaching activities at VNAT’s colleges and cooking centres.