Diplomats can cook – a meaningful culinary event.

In 2017, the Service Company for Foreign Office (FOSCO) jointly hosted the “Diplomats Ladies Can Cook” alongside the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations and Union of Friendship Organizations. The event was organized in March, near the celebrtion of the International Women’s Day, and proved to be a wholesome experience, an opportunity for the wives of Consuls and members of the Diplomatic Service from the South to meet and exchange culinary experience with each other. With the participation and patronage of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Executive Advisor to the Secretariat of the APEC Summit Vietnam 2017, the spouse of then Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, the event has received considerable acclaim. And from then on, this cultural – culinary event has only gotten more prominent.
In 2018, the Management Board of FOSCO, cognizant of the fact that not only the ladies but also a good number of gentlement among the Diplomatic Service also enjoy cooking, and subsequently expanded the scope of the event to include men, changing the name to “Diplomats can Cook”. Thus, the event from then on would include male members of the Consular Corps and sometimes whole families that are involved in the Diplomatic Service. The event still holds the beautiful message of solidarity and connection between nations for the common goal of regional and global development, as demonstrated by the exchange of culinary culture, an aspect of culture that is ever-present in the hospitality and friendship of all people and civilization across the world. The 20 teams participating each year express their joy upon introducing the specialties of their nation of region to forge these new connections between peoples and community. In 2018, Mr. Le thanh Lien – Standing Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee reserved high praises for the event as an excellent opportunity to introduce Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, creative economic hub and a vibrant, diverse cultural center for our international friends.
In 2020, FOSCO has capitalized upon the success of previous iteration of Diplomats can Cook to encourage further innovation in the preparation and presentation of the unique dishes by the participating team. At this event, Mr Carel Jacob Johan Richter, Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands express his felicitation towards the “Diplomats can Cook” event for offering an opportunity for national dishes and unique ingredients from all nations to be showcased for the enjoyment of the participants, deepening the cultural linkages and creating foundations for the Consular Corps and through them the people they represent to achieve a better understanding, fostering further beneficial diplomatic and commcercial cooperation in the future.
In 2022, under the patronage of Mdm. Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, Honorary President of ASEAN Women’s Circle in Ha Noi (AWCH) and Spouse of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, the Diplomats can Cook event continue to be a meaningful and wholesome event for the Consul Generals, their spouses, the staff of the Consular Corps, the leaders of Departments of External Relations across 20 provinces of the South, agencies belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs … Most especially, among the sponsors of the event, Cholimex Food – the Main Sponsors had taken upon themselves to provide the sauce, spices, and condiments to support the culinary efforts of each team. The participation of a renowned brand like Cholimex food has elevated the standing of the event, providing the opportunity for enterprises (such as Cholimex Food) and INGOs (such as Seeds to Table) to showcase their own products, which by themselves are evident of the results of international cooperation, further enhancing the meaning of Diplomats can Cook.
Through the years, Diplomats can Cook has been improved upon by the leadership of and staff of FOSCO, meticulously augmenting the event in both format and content, bolstering the infuence, reach and attractiveness to sponsors. However, the core aspect of the event as a platform for the Consular community, the staff of diplomatic agencies to conduct heartfelt exchange of culinary culture will forever be preserved and promoted. FOSCO constantly keeps the hope of further elevate this eventto bring in more teams and guests with the aim of developing beneficial relationships with our valued clientele, seeking new potential customers, and carrying out the policies of the Party and Government concerning the development of a diplomatic outlook that is independent, peaceful with a strong focus in cooperation and development.
Quốc Huy

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