Third Edition of International Culinary Exchange Project CROSS NIIGATA–VIETNAM Connecting Niigata and Vietnam's Food Cultures [5 Events in Niigata and Nagaoka Cities from July 24 to August 1, 2026]

VACANCE VIETNAM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; CEO: Shota Nozaki), which supports Japanese companies entering Vietnam, will host the third chapter of its international exchange project 'CROSS NIIGATA – VIETNAM' from Friday, July 24, 2026, to Saturday, August 1, 2026. A total of five events will be held across venues in Niigata City and Nagaoka City.

This project has previously held Chapter 01 (January 2026 / Niigata, Willow House) and Chapter 02 (March 2026 / Ho Chi Minh City, FUME, attracting over 150 visitors across two days).

Chapter 03 will feature five programs designed to offer multifaceted experiences of Niigata and Vietnam's food cultures, including a special course dinner starring 'Uonuma Softshell Turtle'—a branded ingredient farmed in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture—alongside cross-cultural talks, networking events, and a miso ramen event.

The initiative aims to create a new model for cultural exchange, market expansion, and network building centered on food.

Registration and Reservations

Events on July 24 and 25 require advance reservations.

The ramen events do not require reservations; visitors may attend directly at the venue.

[Registration Form]

Apply here

※ Registration will close once capacity is reached.

Background

Niigata Prefecture is actively promoting the overseas expansion of its local ingredients and fermentation culture. In recent years, Vietnam has seen growing interest in Japanese cuisine and health-conscious eating, leading to increased attention toward Japanese food culture, including fermented foods. Niigata’s rich natural environment, snow country-specific preservation and fermentation techniques, and diverse agricultural and marine products hold significant potential to create new value in the Vietnamese market.

At the same time, Vietnam’s food and beverage market demands deeper cultural and technical exchanges to improve understanding of Japanese ingredients, cooking techniques, and business-to-business networking.

In response to this context, the international exchange event has been named 'CROSS NIIGATA – VIETNAM'.

The term 'CROSS' embodies the following meanings:

- Crossing national and cultural boundaries

- Interweaving ingredients and techniques

- Connecting chefs, producers, and businesses

- Creating new value through exchange

The goal of this project is not merely to 'introduce' but to create a true 'crossing'—a dynamic intersection.

This project goes beyond a simple food event, aiming to become a space where:

"Not only flavors, but people, cultures, industries, and futures intersect"

to generate new value and sustainable relationships between Niigata and Vietnam.

'Nasu' (eggplant), a signature summer ingredient of Niigata, will be featured as a seasonal delicacy in a dish presented at 'CROSS NIIGATA – VIETNAM'.

Event Overview

● July 24 (Fri) CROSS DINNER in Niigata ~ Special Uonuma Softshell Turtle Course ~

Venue: FARM TABLE SUZU (Niigata City)

Address: 2F, Billboard Place 2, 2-5-7 Yachiyo, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Gt1nSMmYRCLA7Bf6)

TEL: 025-240-4777

Time: 18:30 Doors Open / 19:00 Dinner Begins

Format: Seated Dinner / Capacity: 50 guests

Fee: Course Meal 8,000 JPY / Pairing 4,000 JPY / Full Course 12,000 JPY

Description: A special course featuring 'Uonuma Softshell Turtle,' a branded ingredient farmed using hot spring water in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, blending Niigata ingredients with Vietnamese culinary elements. This unique evening will allow guests to experience the charm and sensibilities of both Niigata and Vietnam through cuisine, space, and conversation.

● July 25 (Sat) CROSS PARTY in Niigata

Venue: SUZUVEL (Niigata City)

Address: 1F, Metsu Building, CoCoLo Niigata, 1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/TYPBAjcYi3MEe2Pw5)

TEL: 050-5487-1274

Time: 18:00–21:00

Format: Networking Event

Fee: 6,000 JPY (includes one drink and meal)

Description: 18:00–19:00 Talk Session

'Frontlines of Vietnam Business × New Connections Between Regional Japan and Vietnam'

19:00–21:00

Enjoy collaborative dishes from Niigata and Vietnam while networking with fellow attendees.

● July 26 (Sun) RAMEN CROSS in Niigata; July 31 (Fri) and August 1 (Sat) RAMEN CROSS in Nagaoka

Niigata Venue: SUZUVEL (Niigata City)

Address: 1F, Metsu Building, CoCoLo Niigata, 1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/TYPBAjcYi3MEe2Pw5)

TEL: 050-5487-1274

Nagaoka Venue: Echigo Robata & Snow Country Sake Chibou (Nagaoka City)

Address: 1-3-13 Hori Kane, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/7FMefy8KPo9vWiTL7)

TEL: 050-5484-6207

Time: 11:00–15:00

Fee: To be determined

Description: Special ramen dishes combining Niigata ingredients with Vietnamese flavors, featuring Yanagi Jozo’s miso—popular in Chapter 02—will be served. Through ramen, a representative food culture of Niigata, guests can enjoy new culinary charms and exchanges between Niigata and Vietnam.

Reservations

Events on July 24 and 25 require advance reservations.

Ramen events do not require reservations; please visit the venue directly.

[Registration Form]

Apply here

※ Registration will close once capacity is reached.

About Uonuma Softshell Turtle

Uonuma Softshell Turtle is a branded ingredient farmed in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, using hot spring water. Raised in the rich natural environment unique to heavy snowfall regions, it is known for its premium texture and rich umami flavor.

For this event, a special course will be offered, featuring Uonuma Softshell Turtle as the centerpiece, blending Niigata ingredients with Vietnamese food culture.

· Uonuma Softshell Turtle Official Website

https://www.uonumasuppon.com/

Branded ingredient 'Uonuma Softshell Turtle' farmed using hot spring water in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

Previous Chapters

● Chapter 01 / Niigata (January 23–24, 2026)

Venue: Willow House (SUZU GROUP / Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture)

Content: 'Fermentation Chapter 01' — A 7-course collaborative dinner themed around Niigata ingredients and fermentation culture

Vietnamese chefs visited Niigata to experience the region’s livestock farming, sake breweries, and fermentation culture firsthand, then created a 7-course menu inspired by Niigata ingredients. These two days marked the first intersection where Niigata and Vietnam began to understand each other.

In Chapter 01, chefs from Niigata and Vietnam collaborated to create dishes blending Niigata ingredients and fermentation