There are wines that tell not only the story of a land, but also of its history, culture, and the way people live alongside that land.
And perhaps nowhere expresses this more clearly than Italy.
From northern regions such as Piemonte and Veneto to Tuscany, Sicily, and Puglia, Italy is home to one of the world’s most diverse and long-established wine cultures. Hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, wine regions with centuries of history, and different winemaking styles have created a world of wine where the more one explores, the more one realises: understanding Italian wine is also a way of understanding Italy.
In Vietnam, the appreciation for Italian wine is also becoming increasingly evident. According to data from the Italian Trade Agency, in 2025, Italy was Vietnam’s leading supplier of imported wine by volume, with nearly 3.6 million litres, while also accounting for approximately 23% of the import market by value, with turnover exceeding EUR 15 million.
Beyond wine, Italian culinary culture has also recently received recognition at a particularly significant level.
On 10 December 2025, UNESCO officially inscribed “Italian cooking, between sustainability and biocultural diversity” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition goes beyond Italy’s famous dishes. It acknowledges an entire system of knowledge, skills, ingredients, family traditions, and community culture passed down through generations.
That is why, when speaking about Italian wine, the story has never existed only within the glass.
It lies in the land, people, history, dining table, and culture.
And to bring these values closer to the community in Vietnam, the knowledge and role of the sommelier become particularly important.
Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines
In 2025, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) organised the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines competition for the first time, with the aim of bringing culture to Vietnam through wine and cuisine. The programme was held under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi, the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, and Assocamerestero, in professional collaboration with the Associazione Sommellerie Professionale Italiana (ASPI) and the Vietnam Sommelier Association (VSA).
Following the success of its first edition, the competition officially returns with Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026.
From Vietnam to the Asian Stage
The first edition of VBSIW attracted more than 60 applications nationwide, with 38 candidates advancing to the semi-final rounds in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The three most outstanding candidates then advanced to the National Final in front of nearly 100 guests from the wine, F&B, and hospitality industries.
Entering its second year, VBSIW is not only continuing its search for the Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026, but is also marking a new milestone for Vietnam’s sommelier community.
The winner of VBSIW 2026 will not only receive the national championship title, but will also become Vietnam’s first representative to compete at the Asia Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2027, ABSIW 2027, a new regional competition created and organised by ICHAM.
This makes VBSIW this year more than simply a competition to find the person with the strongest expertise in Italian wine. It is also a journey of preparation in knowledge, service skills, communication ability, and confidence, enabling a Vietnamese representative to compete on a larger stage.
A Competition, but Also a Learning Journey
Before the official competition rounds, candidates will take part in online and in-person training from 18 to 26 August.
The programme goes beyond theoretical knowledge of Italian wine to include blind tasting, wine service skills, wine and food pairing, professional communication, and wine storytelling according to international sommelier standards.
The National Semi-finals will take place simultaneously in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City on 9 September. Results from the three cities will be consolidated nationwide, and the three candidates with the highest scores will advance to the National Final in Hanoi on 29 September.
Who Can Participate in VBSIW 2026?
VBSIW 2026 is open to professionals across the wine and hospitality sectors, not only those who currently hold the title of sommelier.
Applicants must:
- Be Vietnamese citizens
- Be between 21 and 40 years old
- Be working as a sommelier, wine specialist, bartender, hospitality professional, wine educator, or wine consultant
- Have at least one year of relevant experience
- Have a strong interest in and desire to deepen their knowledge of Italian wine
- Have a good command of English
- Be able to participate fully in the training programme and competition schedule
Applications are open from 3 August to 23 August 2026.
What Awaits the Winner?
In addition to the VBSIW 2026 title, trophy, and certificate, the VBSIW 2026 Champion will also receive professional development opportunities, the right to represent Vietnam at ABSIW 2027, and a professional study and immersion trip to Italy in November 2026. This will offer the winner the opportunity to directly explore Italy’s wine regions, producers, terroirs, and winemaking traditions.
From a national competition to the opportunity to step onto a regional stage, VBSIW is creating another pathway for a new generation of Vietnamese sommeliers to learn, challenge themselves, and advance their professional expertise.
Ngonista is proud to accompany Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026 as a Media Partner, continuing to follow and tell the stories of the people, knowledge, and journeys behind this year’s competition.
Vietnam Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2026 Information
Applications: 03/08 to 23/08/2026
Online and in-person training: 18/08 to 26/08/2026
Semi-finals: 09/09 in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City
National Final, Awards Ceremony and Gala: 29/09 in Hanoi
Benefits for the Champion: representing Vietnam at Asia Best Sommelier in Italian Wines 2027, a professional study and immersion trip to Italy in November 2026, advanced professional training opportunities, and the VBSIW 2026 trophy and certificate.
Applications will be reviewed throughout the application period. Candidates who pass the application round will receive a confirmation email and training materials from the Organising Committee.
👉 Apply: https://forms.gle/5iWUdXLGY7kau4VKA
📩 Contact: info.hanoi@icham.org
Phuong Maxy began her journey as a storyteller, sharing untold stories about people in the wine industry on her personal blog. She also contributes to international publications, bringing perspectives from Vietnam’s emerging wine culture to a global audience.
With over 10 years of experience in wine marketing and communications, Phuong is passionate about connecting people, culture, and knowledge through the world of food and wine.
Her work has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Influential Women and awarded Writer of the Year by Women in Wine & Spirits Award 2025.
