The event welcomed distinguished guests, including: Mr. Nguyen Khac Ha - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; Mr. Nguyen Long Bien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Ms. Tran Thu Mai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; Ms. Pham Thi Xuan Trang - Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; along with leaders from various provincial departments, boards, and sectors.
A Spectacular Culinary Competition
The highlight of the festival was the "Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Culinary Essence 2026" competition. Expanded in scale for the first time, the competition gathered 22 teams from prominent 4-star and 5-star resorts and hotels across the province. Featuring professional chefs who brought unique culinary creations, the competition saw a significant boost in both professional quality and public appeal. The judging panel comprised leading culinary experts, artisans, and iron chefs from Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Within 90 minutes, each three-member team prepared two dishes (one savory and one sweet) serving four people. The main ingredient was natural Khanh Hoa island salanganes nest, combined with the province's rich and signature local delicacies such as lobster, sea crab, sea cucumber, shark fin, and sea grapes. The teams demonstrated exceptional culinary artistry and creativity, honoring the essence of salanganes nest cuisine. Additionally, the competition helped the audience appreciate the nutritional value of natural Khanh Hoa island salanganes nest, contributing to promoting the unique culinary identity of the land famed for its "agarwood forests and swiftlet seas" to tourists.
At the conclusion of the competition, the Organizing Committee awarded 1 Special Prize (VND 30 million), 2 First Prizes (VND 20 million each), 3 Second Prizes (VND 15 million each), 5 Third Prizes (VND 10 million each), 5 Consolation Prizes, and 6 Effort Prizes to the participating teams.
Extensive Charitable and Cultural Activities
On this occasion, the company allocated VND 1.1 billion to charitable activities. Specifically, the company presented 10 "Great Solidarity" houses and 2 "Comradeship" houses to disadvantaged families in Tay Nha Trang, Suoi Hiep, Khanh Vinh, Nam Cam Ranh, Hoa Tri, and the Military Command of Khanh Hoa Province, with each house valued at VND 75 million. This initiative continues the company's journey of previously donating over 100 gratitude and solidarity houses. Furthermore, the company awarded 20 scholarships, valued at VND 10 million each, to underprivileged students with outstanding academic records at Nha Trang University.
As part of the event, the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest One Member Limited Liability State Company also organized an artistic photo exhibition showcasing the salanganes nest industry and displayed models of swiftlet caves and islands at the Salanganes Nest Industry Ancestral Temple. Under the theme "The Essence of the Salanganes Nest Industry," the exhibition featured 90 photographic works showcasing the history, cultural values, harvesting methods, and preservation of Khanh Hoa's salanganes nest resources across generations.
