On May 31, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) officially launched the “Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2025” (VBSIW), the first national competition dedicated exclusively to sommeliers specializing in Italian wines. Organized under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, the competition is held with technical coordination from the Italian Association of Professional Sommeliers (ASPI) and the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA).
The launch event welcomed nearly 50 guests, including wine importers, distributors, F&B industry representatives, media, and experts.
ICHAM Chairman Michele D’Ercole underscored the competition’s mission to deepen knowledge of Italian wines in Vietnam, where consumption continues to rise. “The Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2025 aims to elevate knowledge, because wine is not just a drink, it is a symbol of connection and kinship. This is a unique opportunity for Vietnamese people to explore the quality and diversity of Italian wines,” he said.
Consul General Enrico Padula praised Vietnamese sommeliers for their growing expertise, noting their important role in raising public awareness about the richness of Italian wine. “They play a vital role in raising public awareness, as they truly understand what they are tasting, from origins and history to production processes and grape varieties,” he remarked.
ASPI President and head judge Giuseppe Vaccarini, a former World Sommelier Champion, highlighted the event as a unique opportunity for young professionals pursuing a sommelier career to connect, learn, and grow. VSA President Tu Le Huy echoed this sentiment, calling the competition a stage for Vietnamese sommeliers to explore and celebrate the art of Italian wine professionally.
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VBSIW 2025 will include a series of preliminary rounds in June, followed by semi-finals on July 8 in Hanoi, Da Nang, and HCMC. The finals and gala will take place on July 25 in Ho Chi Minh City. Eligible participants are sommeliers, bartenders, or F&B professionals aged 21-40, with at least one year of experience and a background in Italian wines (preferably).
The winner will receive the VBSIW 2025 title, a training course in Italy, a trophy, a certificate, and sponsors’ gifts. Runners-up will also receive advanced training opportunities, trophies, certificates, and gifts.
With Italian wine imports to Vietnam exceeding USD 20 million in 2024, Italy is the second-largest wine exporter to Vietnam. In the context of growing wine consumption and a rapidly professionalizing F&B industry, VBSIW 2025 plays a meaningful role in strengthening the position of Italian wines in the Vietnamese market.
