Ho Chi Minh City, April 2026 – From April 16 to 18, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Cafe Show Vietnam 2026 officially took place under the patronage of the Vietnam Coffee – Cocoa Association and the Vietnam Tea Association. The event gathered hundreds of international brands across coffee, tea, bakery, and F&B solutions.

Beyond its scale as an international exhibition, this year’s event pursued a strategic goal: redefining the position of the barista profession in Vietnam. No longer viewed as temporary roles, baristas are increasingly recognized as highly specialized professionals, combining globally standardized techniques with deep knowledge of local specialty coffee and tea ingredients, and creating a pathway from domestic markets to the global stage.

Founded in 2002 in Seoul, Cafe Show has grown into a key global platform for the coffee and F&B industry. In Vietnam, the event went beyond product showcases and business networking, bringing together the entire value chain: from raw material producers and roasters to equipment suppliers, distributors, franchise operators, and professional communities.

Programs such as Cupping, Master Class, Coffee Alley, and Mocha Port transformed the exhibition into a hub where products, knowledge, trends, and business opportunities converge.

Major equipment brands including La Marzocco, Victoria Arduino, Nuova Simonelli, Sanremo, Giesen, Bravilor Bonamat, Thermoplan, and Franke were introduced through local distributors such as Kien Nam Barista, NewTec, Charles Wembley, Bon Café, Procaffe, BTI Group, and Cubes Company. The presence of specialty coffee regions and ingredient suppliers highlighted a comprehensive F&B ecosystem where equipment, ingredients, craftsmanship, and business models coexist.

A key highlight of the exhibition was its system of professional competitions. The Vietnam National Barista Championship 2026 (VNBC), officially certified by World Coffee Events (WCE), served as the country’s national selection event. The winner will represent Vietnam at the World Barista Championship 2027 in Tokyo, Japan.

The competition required participants to demonstrate advanced brewing techniques, espresso control, flavor profiling, stage performance, and professional presentation at international standards. The use of standardized equipment, including La Marzocco Linea PB AV Smart Steam machines and JAY Grinders, further reinforced the global benchmark.

Additionally, the Vietnam National Cup Tasters Championship 2026 (VNCTC) was introduced for the first time, focusing on sensory evaluation and precision tasting. The winner will qualify for the World Cup Tasters Championship 2026, emphasizing the importance of sensory expertise in professional coffee careers.

The Dalatmilk World Matcha Latte Art Battle expanded creative exploration into the matcha category, highlighting Vietnamese ingredients such as Dalatmilk fresh milk, premium matcha from Bao Loc, and locally developed beverage components.

The Bakery zone showcased a wide range of craftsmanship, including macaron, cupcake, plated desserts, artisanal croissants, sourdough bread, and bread art. Artistic displays such as 3D jelly flower art, decorative mooncakes, and traditional Vietnamese cakes further expanded the exhibition’s creative scope.

In addition to competitions, the event functioned as a large-scale “hands-on academy” through Master Class and Sweet Class sessions. Participants experienced high-level demonstrations such as the artistic wedding cake model “Whispering White,” explored trends like “Floral Milk Tea 2026,” and engaged in expert-led sessions on matcha applications.