'Southern Vietnamese Cuisine During the War' nominated for meaningful art project award

A special exhibition, 'Southern Vietnamese Cuisine During the War,' is a nominee for the 'Finest Projects' award at the annual Hanoi Grapevine's Finest event, which celebrates contemporary Vietnamese art.

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The exhibition recreates memories of the war through the kitchen, meals, and familiar flavors of Southern Vietnamese people.

The exhibition, a joint effort by the Museum of War Remnants, the University of Sydney Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, aims to recreate memories of the war through the lens of the kitchen and the familiar flavors of Southern Vietnamese people. Supported by UNESCO's Curating Futures initiative, it opened in September 2025.

Museum representatives reported that the exhibition drew over 800,000 visitors in 2025. It pioneers a new method of museum curation in Vietnam, allowing visitors to engage with history not just visually but through multiple senses. This immersive approach transforms visitors into active participants in the exhibition experience.

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The exhibition attracted over 800,000 visitors in 2025, opening up a new approach to museum curation in Vietnam.

The project also marks several firsts for the Museum of War Remnants. It is the first time the war is narrated through everyday memories tied to the kitchen and meals. Visitors can engage in multi-sensory activities like grinding rice and smelling fish sauce, experiencing the resilience and spirit of the people during wartime. Furthermore, it's the first time the museum has partnered with three universities on an exhibition, involving students directly in collecting stories and designing the space.

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Visitors can approach history not only visually but also through multiple senses, becoming part of the exhibition experience.

This nomination at Hanoi Grapevine's Finest is particularly significant as it's the first time a Museum of War Remnants exhibition has been recognized at this prestigious event honoring contemporary art in Vietnam. The museum is encouraging public support through voting, which closes on June 6.

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This is the first time the story of war has been told through everyday memories associated with the kitchen, meals, and familiar flavors of Southern Vietnamese people.