Vietnam’s Green Voice to the World:

The International Vegetarian Conference 2025 Marks a Turning Point for Global Compassion and Sustainable Living

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A New Dawn for Green Diplomacy

On November 2, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City became the beating heart of a global awakening. The International Vegetarian Conference 2025, held at the Friendship Tower, was more than an academic gathering—it was a defining moment in how humanity perceives food, compassion, and coexistence. For the first time, Vietnam hosted this international event, co-organized by the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) in partnership with the Vietnam–ASEAN Friendship Association (VAFA), Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO), and the Food and Beverage Association (FBA).

Dr. Eric and the Honorary President of IVU Marly Winclkler were also judges at the Vegetarian Festival

With the theme “Green Cuisine – People’s Diplomacy – Sustainable Development,” the conference coincided with World Vegan Day and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership—symbols of the country’s integration, resilience, and moral leadership in the global sustainability movement. Over 200 scholars, diplomats, monks, entrepreneurs, and activists from across Asia gathered, united by a shared belief: that what we eat can change the world.

A Vision Rooted in Vietnam’s Spirit

Mr. Thao LeAt the center of this historic event stood Mr. Thao Le, IVU Counselor and IVU Asia Regional Representative, whose vision and commitment transformed a long-held dream into reality. A dedicated vegetarian since 2017 and founder of the influential Vietnamese Vegetarian Community (Anchay.vn), Thao Le’s leadership bridged institutions, faiths, and nations. His closing words captured the soul of the gathering:

“Vietnam, with its spirit of compassion and aspiration to rise, is becoming a center of global vegan culture and economy. In a time when the world seeks healing, the green lifestyle is not a trend—it is humanity’s moral compass.”

Under his coordination, the conference became both a symbol of Vietnam’s diplomatic grace and a powerful platform for the IVU’s century-long mission of spreading ethical and sustainable living.

IVU’s Legacy: A Global Movement for Compassion and Science

Honorary President of IVU Marly WincklerThe presence of IVU’s international representatives underscored the organization’s pivotal role. Dr. Eric Slywitch, Head of the IVU Department of Medicine and Nutrition, presented compelling research on how plant-based diets reduce chronic disease risks and carbon footprints. Marly Winckler, Honorary President of IVU and former IVU Chair, revisited the organization’s rich history since 1908 and issued a poignant warning on the livestock industry’s devastating toll on the Amazon rainforest.

Shara Ng talk about the Vegan Wellness Center in AsiaShara Ng, IVU Counselor and Regional Representative for China, introduced her study “Vegan Wellness in Asia,” highlighting how plant-based lifestyles are rapidly becoming an integral part of Asian health culture. Each IVU delegate illuminated the bridge between science and ethics—proof that vegetarianism is not only a moral act but also an evidence-based path toward planetary health.

Their participation, alongside Vietnamese leaders in academia and spirituality, solidified IVU’s position as a catalyst of transformation at both grassroots and policy levels.

The Conference That United Science, Spirituality, and Sustainability

Dr. Phan Thi Hong XuanFrom morning until evening, the International Vegetarian Conference 2025 resonated with intellectual vigor and emotional warmth. Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chair of VAFA, opened the proceedings by declaring that “each meal is not only about nutrition but also a cultural expression, an ethical choice, and an ecological act.” Her words set the tone for a day that moved seamlessly between scientific evidence and spiritual wisdom.

In one session, Dr. Nguyen Minh Nhut demonstrated how transitioning to plant-based diets could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate sustainable economic growth. Dr. Tran Tuyen later offered a meditative perspective on “From Eating to Being,” exploring how mindful vegetarianism enriches tourism, culture, and inner peace.

Dr. Thich Hanh TueThe Buddhist perspective, represented by Venerable Dr. Thich Hanh Tue and Dr. Thich Nu Thanh Que, reminded attendees that vegetarianism is an embodiment of compassion—the heart of environmental protection and human harmony.

By afternoon, delegates from across ASEAN reflected on the broader diplomatic significance of vegetarianism. Malaysian Consul General Firdauz Othman praised the conference as “a true act of people’s diplomacy—turning the dining table into a bridge for peace.”

Lotus and Legacy: A Festival of Culture and Creativity

Beyond the conference walls, Ho Chi Minh City celebrated its first Vegetarian Food Festival, a vibrant five-day event that drew nearly 120,000 visitors. The festival set a new Vietnamese record: 200 vegetarian dishes made from lotus, symbolizing purity and resilience in Vietnamese culture. From lotus-infused tea to intricate regional delicacies, the culinary artisans showcased the beauty of sustainable gastronomy.

Record of 200 vegetarian dishes from Vietnamese lotus set by top artisans and chefsThis visual and sensory feast became the perfect backdrop to the conference’s message. Each dish served as a green manifesto—a reminder that sustainability begins not with grand speeches, but with mindful choices on our plates.

A Symphony of Cultures and Compassion

From early morning, artisans and chefs were present at Binh Phu Park (HCMC), where the 2025 vegetarian food festival took place in an event that set a Vietnamese record: Processing and promoting vegetarian dishes from lotus and agricultural products with the largest quantity in Vietnam. The event also attracted a large number of people and tourists from home and abroad.The event blended scholarship with artistry. Cultural performances, including a mesmerizing T’rung solo by M.A. Vu Thi Kim Yen, an Ao Dai fashion showcase, and an ASEAN unity dance, turned the conference into a festival of humanity. Malaysian actress Sangeeta Krishnasamy offered an emotional reflection on the power of kindness through her vegan journey, while Buddhist scholars shared prayers for peace and balance.

AnchayTV and the Vegan Food Academy, alongside partners such as Saigon Indian Restaurant and Scobylee Kombucha, transformed the venue into a living exhibition of vegan innovation. Every dish and performance embodied the IVU’s guiding principle: that compassion, creativity, and community are inseparable in building a sustainable world.

From Vietnam to the World: The Message of 2025

When the final applause echoed through the Friendship Tower, it was clear that something profound had taken root. Vietnam had not merely hosted an international conference—it had ignited a movement. The International Vegetarian Conference 2025 became a landmark in global people’s diplomacy, positioning Vietnam as a new center of ethical and sustainable gastronomy.

For the IVU, the event reaffirmed its timeless mission: uniting hearts and minds through the universal language of food. For Vietnam, it was a declaration of leadership in the 21st century’s green transformation.

As the proceedings close, one message remains luminous: from small vegetarian seeds, great global change can grow.

Conclusion: The Future Is Green, and It Begins on Our Plates

The International Vegetarian Conference 2025 will be remembered not merely as a milestone in Vietnam’s cultural history but as a pivotal chapter in humanity’s moral evolution. Under the guidance of the International Vegetarian Union and the vision of Thao Le and his team, the event redefined how nations, faiths, and individuals can collaborate for a sustainable and compassionate future.

From Ho Chi Minh City’s lotus-filled kitchens to the research halls of the IVU, a shared conviction now unites continents: that choosing vegetarianism is more than a dietary decision—it is an act of peace, a gesture of love, and a promise to the planet.

As the sun set over Saigon, the spirit of the conference lingered like the scent of lotus blossoms—a quiet yet powerful reminder that the path to global harmony might just begin with what we place on our plates.