On September 17, the US Embassy in Hanoi, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel jointly organized the Great American BBQ Festival 2026, introducing US food and agricultural products to Hanoi consumers.
The program takes place until October 1st, with the theme "From US farms and oceans to Vietnamese tables".
The product portfolio introduced ranges from beef, pork, poultry, Alaska and Northeast American seafood, to potatoes, Washington apples, blueberries, walnuts, California plums, cheese and bean products.
We are completely optimistic about the future and prospects for agricultural trade development between the two countries," Mr. Mark Petry, Minister Counselor in charge of Agriculture, US Embassy in Hanoi, shared at the event.
According to Mr. Petry, the potential commodity groups are quite diverse, including corn, soybeans, livestock, fruits, nuts, seafood, wood products and biofuels. The US is expected to organize an agricultural trade delegation to Ho Chi Minh City in November 2026 to increase connectivity between businesses of the two countries.
In the fruit group, Ms. Duyen Le, Communications Manager in Vietnam of California Milk Advisory Board, U.S. Highbush Blueberries and Washington Apples, said that the amount of Washington apples exported to Vietnam has increased sharply. “In the early days of our market development, only about 50,000 cartons of apples were exported to Vietnam each year. But now it has reached about 2 million cartons,” she said.
In the seafood group, Ms. Thao Dang, representative in Vietnam of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the US Dried Bean Council, said that Alaska seafood is naturally harvested, according to sustainable processes and strict inspection. Alaska black turtle has been present in Vietnamese retail systems, while surimi made from Pollock fish using US materials is being processed in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Ms. Tran My Hanh, representative in Vietnam of the US Soybean Export Council, said that US whole soybeans accounted for about 44% of the market share in Vietnam in 2025. US soybean oil products accounted for about 12% of the market share, mainly serving the animal feed industry.
At Sheraton Hanoi, Mr. Cristian Vera, Director of the Culinary Department, said that the kitchen team has changed the menu about 3 times to use more American ingredients. According to him, these products will be combined with Vietnamese hospitality and local features.
