The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 30 hosted a talk show on durian gastronomy ahead of the 2026 Dak Lak Durian Festival.
The event brought together internationally renowned culinary experts and chefs from Viet Nam, Thailand and Malaysia – three of the world's leading durian-producing and exporting countries. They presented seven innovative dishes blending Dak Lak durian with the culinary traditions of the three nations, ranging from appetisers and main courses to desserts.
The programme aims not only to introduce new approaches to cooking with durian but also to develop signature tourism products based on the province's agricultural strengths. The recipes will be further refined and introduced to local restaurants, hotels and eateries to serve visitors during the durian harvest season and the Dak Lak Durian Festival, scheduled for August 15–September 2, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Quoc Hiep said the festival is designed to celebrate a flagship agricultural product while promoting the image of Dak Lak, strengthening links among farmers, businesses, researchers, policymakers and tourists, and supporting agricultural development alongside culture, tourism and international integration.
He noted that cuisine is an essential part of cultural identity, with each dish telling the story of the land, its people and local traditions. Through culinary innovation, Dak Lak hopes to unlock greater value from durian, from fresh fruit and processed products to tourism experiences centred on orchards and local culture.
The Dak Lak Durian Festival will feature 17 activities, including a 500-vehicle durian parade, attempts to set national and Guinness World Records, a showcase of 101 durian-based dishes, an online durian sales campaign involving local influencers, and exhibitions highlighting the province's durian industry and OCOP products.
