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Headline: Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025 Strengthens Ties with Vietnam Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
The Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025, held from July 29 to August 2, 2025, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was a resounding success in showcasing Malaysia's rich cultural heritage, culinary delights, and vibrant arts scene to the Vietnamese audience.
The festival, which included the Madani Week as one of its activities, aimed to strengthen bilateral tourism cooperation and promote the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, YB Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, emphasized that these events are crucial for strengthening the relationship between the two ASEAN neighbors.
The Destination Seminar and Business Networking Session served as a platform for Malaysian and Vietnamese stakeholders in travel, aviation, hospitality, and tourism services to network and explore collaboration opportunities. This session officially launched VM2026, which aims to attract at least 43 million international visitors to Malaysia in 2026.
The campaign theme “Surreal Experiences” emphasizes innovation, emerging destinations, luxury travel expansion, and sustainable tourism growth. The public festival, on the other hand, showcased Malaysian culture through performances, traditional crafts, and authentic cuisine, creating a memorable cultural experience for Vietnamese people and fostering mutual appreciation and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Malaysia Food and Culture Promotion 2025, a community event, celebrated Malaysia's diverse heritage through traditional art performances, handicraft demonstrations, and culinary specialties. The Madani Week, hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia, took place on August 2-3 at Aeon Mall Long Bien.
Minister YB Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing believes that these visits will foster dynamic partnerships and support the shared goal of developing sustainable, inclusive, and mutually beneficial tourism between the two nations. The series of events in Vietnam serves as a vital platform to strengthen cultural diplomacy and foster mutual understanding between the two countries.
The Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025 and the associated events mark a significant milestone in Malaysia's international outreach efforts leading up to Visit Malaysia 2026. Vietnam was identified as a key priority market within ASEAN for the VM2026 campaign.
The Madani philosophy, which promotes six core values: sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, and compassion, across culture, education, and trade, was evident throughout the festival, underlining Malaysia's commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.
[1] Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025 - Official Website [2] Visit Malaysia 2026 - Official Website [3] Destination Seminar and Business Networking Session - Official Website [4] Malaysia-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Programme - Official Website
- The Destination Seminar and Business Networking Session, held during the Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025, aimed to bolster AI-driven strategies in the travel industry and foster partnerships in business, trade, and cultural exchange.
- The Malaysia Food and Culture Promotion 2025, a community event during the festival, not only showcased food-and-drink specialties but also promoted education about Malaysia's diverse culture and heritage, paving the way for enhanced cultural travel experiences.
- As part of the Madani Week activities, seminars focusing on education and cultural understanding were held, encouraging sustainable collaborations in lifestyle and tourism industries between Vietnam and Malaysia.
- The official launch of the Malaysia-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Programme, an initiative under the Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture & Food Festival 2025, is expected to boost the exchange of students, artists, and travelers, facilitating multifaceted cultural development.
- The festival's emphasis on showcasing artistic expressions, traditional crafts, and culinary practices demonstrates a shared desire for fostering a strong bond between Vietnam and Malaysia through trade, cultural appreciation, and travel industries, promoting a positive lifestyle for all involved.
