Ho Chi Minh City, May 16, 2025 – In an atmosphere of elegance and excitement, the MENA OCOP – Tourism Gifts 2025 festival officially commenced at Menas Mall Saigon Airport, heralding a vibrant 10-day series of events dedicated to honouring and promoting the finest aspects of Vietnamese culture, tourism, and unique local products. This prestigious event is the result of a dedicated collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and Menas Group, and stands as a significant highlight within the “50 Golden Days – Discovering a hospitable and vibrant Ho Chi Minh City” program.
With the vision of creating a distinguished cultural and shopping experience, the MENA OCOP 2025 festival offers complimentary admission to residents and visitors from May 16th to May 25th. This presents a valuable opportunity for the public to discover and acquire Vietnamese products imbued with rich national identity, while deeply engaging with the unique cultural values of Ho Chi Minh City. The event not only reinforces the city’s standing as a dynamic, welcoming hub for tourism and commerce but also serves as a convergence point for celebrating and disseminating cherished traditional values.
On its inaugural day, Menas Mall Saigon Airport was adorned in splendid, festive colours. The event space brought together nearly 60 esteemed enterprises and exhibitors, showcasing a diverse array of high-quality OCOP (One Commune One Product) items, exquisite souvenirs, quintessential regional specialties, unique handicrafts, and attractive tourism services.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the MENA OCOP Festival is more than a conduit for bringing local products closer to domestic consumers and international visitors. It carries a profound significance in fostering green consumption, forging sustainable trade connections, and contributing to the overall advancement of the tourism industry in a sustainable manner.
Delivering his remarks at the distinguished opening ceremony, Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, expressed immense pride in the city’s OCOP products. He emphasized that over the past five years, both the quantity and quality of OCOP products in Ho Chi Minh City have seen remarkable growth, earning the honour of being selected as meaningful gifts for high-level conferences and official international delegations. These products have captivated users not only with their certified quality and food safety standards but also with their sophisticated, environmentally friendly packaging designs, catering to the increasingly discerning tastes of both domestic and international markets.
“Through this Festival, we aspire to powerfully disseminate the message of sustainable consumption, while encouraging businesses to relentlessly innovate, invest in quality and design, and thereby progressively affirm their position and reach further into the global market,” Mr. Hoa shared with conviction.
Throughout the festival, visitors will have the chance to admire and select meticulously crafted products, both in terms of aesthetics and quality. From premium processed agricultural goods, valuable medicinal herbs, and intricate handicrafts to graceful traditional Ao Dai, all originate from renowned brands such as Nang Com Phu Quoc, Viet Net Company, Hoang Gia Pearl (Royal Pearl), and Ao Dai Nam Tuyen. Notably, the local specialty showcase, managed by Mena Gourmet supermarket, is anticipated to be a major draw for residents and tourists alike.
Beyond sightseeing and shopping, the festival offers a lively and intimate space for cultural exchange. Attendees will be treated to captivating traditional Ao Dai performances, participate in creative handicraft workshops, enjoy distinctive culinary demonstrations, and immerse themselves in traditional folk art performances.
A highlight not to be missed is the expansive culinary zone, featuring over 700 signature dishes from across Vietnam. The Yum Food Village and V-Senses Dining restaurant promise to deliver diverse and unforgettable gastronomic experiences for all palates.
The MENA OCOP – Tourism Gifts 2025 festival is not merely a commercial or tourism event; it is a symphony of culture, tradition, and creativity, affirming the vitality and potential of Vietnamese products on their journey to conquer markets and the hearts of consumers.