27 October 2016

Ambassador Nguyen Hoang of Vietnam has invited tourists and investors from Qatar to Vietnam. Addressing a press conference at the Hotel Shangrila Doha, Vietnam envoy to Qatar assured his country as one of the most safest tourist destination as well as offers 100 % ownership in business to foreign investors.

Accompanying with Alex Wallits, General Manager, Hotel Shangrila Doha, ambassador Hoang thanked Hotel Shangrila for arranging Vietnamese Culture & Cuisine Festival for two weeks onward 30th October 2016 till 12th November.

' This is one of our efforts in raising the awareness among Qataris as well as large expatriate community living in Qatar, ambassador announced. He told that Vietnam is an ideal tourist destination highlighted by its cuisine popular in many countries across Asia and Europe. 'Upcoming event is an important event for our community in Qatar because it is the first time Vietnam's best traditional dishes served by Vietnamese Chef Vu Van Dang and some of our traditional handicrafts will be presented to the people of Qatar. The opening ceremony will feature a traditional Vietnamese dance. This unique opportunity will allow spectators to sample rarely seen traditional dance techniques of Vietnam," Ambassador Nguyen Hoang told.

' There are several Vietnamese agricultural products available in local market in Doha, however, Doha lacks authentic Vietnamese restaurants', he said. 'As you know, there are some Vietnamese restaurants and Vietnamese street-foods which were opened in many countries such as Poland, Russia, France, the US, Canada and Australia. Thus, I wish, in my posting here, to develop a Vietnamese restaurant that will be opened in Doha to serve more original Vietnamese food to the people of Qatar," said Nguyen.

Specially invited from Abu Dhabi Shangrial Hotel, Chef Vu Van Dang will showcase Vietnamese cuisine at Sridan Restaurant at Shangri-La Doha Hotel during the festival. The event will feature various dishes including traditional national favourite Pho, Hanoi Crispy Seafood Rolls, Steamed Sea Bass in Banana Leaf and Indochina Devilled Crab Cake.

Alex Willats, General Manager, Hotel ShangriLa Doha said on the occasion,'The popularity of Vietnamese cuisine is growing. It is now featured on TV shows all over the world and is widely known as having the most thriving street food scenes in the world. In fact, Forbes Magazine has voted it in the top 10 of street foods throughout the world'.

'Traditional Vietnamese food is well known for the herbs and fresh vegetables that they use. And this is what helps distinguish it from other culinary scenes within the region. Delicate, flavorful and colorful fresh vegetables are integrated into their dishes."

Vietnamese envoy paid his special thanks to Emirates Airlines for offering two business class return tickets and a Week-end stay at Hotel Shangrila Dubai and an Economy class ticket to Hanoi, Vietnam. Alex Willats told that Shangri-La Hotel Doha will run a social media contest for people attending the Vietnamese Culture and Cuisine Festival to participate in raffle draw.