The Xin Chào Go Fest journey continues with stop #60, and this time it is a festival Bánh Mì Xin Chào could never miss: Bánh Mì Vietnam Festival 2026 (ベトナム バインミーフェスティバル2026), the first festival in Japan with bánh mì as the star. Over two days on September 26 and 27, Fun More Time Plaza in Shinjuku Central Park becomes a gathering place for bánh mì in the heart of Tokyo, right in the Mid-Autumn season.
The first festival in Japan dedicated to bánh mì
Bánh Mì Vietnam Festival 2026 is organized by the Vietnam Bánh Mì Festival Organizing Committee, co-organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, Betoraku (Vietnamese Traditional Culture and Arts Association in Japan), iiMedia and Rhino Connect, under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Shinjuku City and the ASEAN-Japan Centre. The festival is officially recognized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.
With the message "a short trip to Vietnam through food and culture", the festival brings together about 30 Vietnamese food booths: all kinds of bánh mì, phở, gỏi cuốn, bánh xèo, cơm tấm, xôi xéo and cà phê sữa đá. The organizers expect 20,000 to 30,000 visitors. The festival falls right in the Mid-Autumn season, with the theme "A Mid-Autumn festival full of Vietnam" (ベトナムを感じる秋のお月見祭り).
Highlights of the festival:
- Opening and Vietnam Spirit Stage (Saturday, September 26): martial arts, traditional drums and lively lion and dragon dances
- Vietnam Family Ao Dai Festival (Saturday, September 26, 16:45 to 17:45): Vietnamese and Japanese families show off their áo dài together, followed by an award ceremony
- Mid-Autumn night (Saturday, September 26): a Mid-Autumn performance program from 18:00 to 19:00, then a lantern parade and the Mid-Autumn feast under the moon from 19:00 to 20:00
- Story of Bánh Mì (Sunday, September 27, 11:30 to 13:00): the whole venue counts down and eats bánh mì together, plus bánh mì bingo with prizes and a bánh mì speed eating contest
- Grand Finale Bánh Mì Together (Sunday, September 27, 18:00 to 18:30): photo contest awards and a Lucky Draw with a chance to win Vietnam Airlines flight tickets
- Performing arts stage: Hon Viet, singer Mayumi, VAG Sweet, 東大盆踊りサークル, Bybe物語, SEAF, Sun Lotus Traditional dance team, V-Artists Arts Center, 伊藤楽, 孔雀水龍, Meyou, Izumi, VIMOSA Performing Arts, PRiYAnCeR idol, Linh Angel & Shiho Rainbow, VAM (V-Artist)
- Free cultural workshops (Saturday, September 26, 11:00 to 18:00; Sunday, September 27, 10:00 to 16:00): painting nón lá conical hats, making tò he figurines, coloring Đông Hồ folk paintings and making star lanterns; no reservation needed, about 8 people per session
- Stamp rally and bánh mì lucky wheel: collect all 4 stamps, or take a photo of the bánh mì or drinks you bought at the festival and post it with the hashtag #バインミーフェス2026, then head to the organizer's booth to spin for prizes, with a chance to win a trip to Vietnam
- 300 yen shop: Vietnamese goods and clothing
Bánh Mì Xin Chào at the festival
A festival dedicated to bánh mì would not be complete without Bánh Mì Xin Chào. The Bánh Mì Xin Chào booth is at T-14 and T-15 in the festival's food area. Throughout both days, Bánh Mì Xin Chào brings you the bánh mì you know and love, so you can join in a celebration where bánh mì takes center stage.
For Bánh Mì Xin Chào, every Go Fest stop is a chance to bring the taste of Vietnam closer to our Japanese friends, and for the Vietnamese community far from home to meet and connect.
Event details
- Event name: Bánh Mì Vietnam Festival 2026 (ベトナム バインミーフェスティバル2026)
- Dates and times: Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 to 20:00 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:00 to 18:00
- Venue: Fun More Time Plaza, Shinjuku Central Park (新宿中央公園 ファンモアタイムひろば)
- Address: 〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿2-11
- Bánh Mì Xin Chào booth: T-14, T-15
- Weather: the festival goes ahead rain or shine
- Admission: Free
- Official website: banhmi-fes.com
Getting there
- Toei Oedo Line, Tochomae Station (都庁前駅), Exit A5: 1 minute walk
- Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Nishi-Shinjuku Station (西新宿駅): about 5 minute walk
- Shinjuku Station (JR, Odakyu, Keio), West Exit: about 10 minute walk
The festival goes ahead even if it rains, so remember to bring an umbrella.
See you at booths T-14 and T-15 in Shinjuku Central Park on September 26 and 27, as Bánh Mì Xin Chào celebrates the first festival in Japan dedicated to bánh mì!