Far more than a simple culinary celebration, the week-long festival served as a powerful tribute to one of Vietnam’s most iconic seafood treasures while delivering a clear and inspiring message about green economic growth, the indispensable protection of mangrove ecosystems, and the harmonious coexistence between human prosperity and nature. Running until 22 November 2025, the festival attracted tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors, generated remarkable trade opportunities, boosted tourism, and reaffirmed the unbreakable spirit of unity and aspiration of the people of Cà Mau – the very tip of the Vietnamese fatherland.
Organized at provincial level by the People’s Committee of Cà Mau Province in close coordination with numerous central ministries, agencies, and neighboring localities, the Cà Mau Crab Festival 2025 successfully built upon the resounding achievements of its inaugural edition in 2024. The core mission remains crystal clear: to elevate the national and international reputation of the Cà Mau crab brand – a product that proudly leads the entire country with an annual production exceeding 36,000 tons. The poetic theme “Fragrance of the Mangrove Forest – Taste of the Open Sea” beautifully encapsulates the unique ecological value of the Cape Cà Mau region, where premium sea crabs are nurtured in the nutrient-rich intertidal zones of vast mangrove forests, absorbing both the earthy freshness of the forest and the briny essence of the ocean. Beyond gastronomic indulgence, the festival represents a strategic, long-term effort to strengthen the Geographical Indication (GI) status of Cà Mau crab, drive innovation in processing and branding, and position this extraordinary delicacy firmly on global markets through sustainability, traceability, and respect for nature.
A rich tapestry of highlight activities spanning an entire week
The festival unfolded from 16 to 22 November 2025, transforming the heart of Cà Mau City, particularly Phan Ngọc Hiển Square and surrounding central venues, into a dazzling hub of culture, commerce, and culinary artistry. The grand opening ceremony, broadcast live nationwide at 8:00 p.m. on 16 November, drew the participation of high-ranking Party and State leaders, foreign diplomats, investors, and an enthusiastic sea of tourists. The spectacular artistic program was divided into two breathtaking chapters: “Cà Mau – Convergence of Cultural Identity and Natural Beauty” and “Cà Mau Crab – The Quintessence of the Land of the Cape”, masterfully recreating the enchanting rivers-and-waterways atmosphere of southern Vietnam through a seamless blend of traditional folk performances and contemporary choreography, all underscoring the profound harmony between mankind and the natural world.
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Throughout the week, visitors were spoiled for choice with an extraordinarily diverse program. The trade exhibition and fair alone featured an impressive total of 276 specialized booths dedicated to crab-related products, One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, start-ups, and creative innovations, complemented by another 224 general commercial pavilions offering everything from dried shrimp and fish to artisanal souvenirs. Visitors could watch live crab-processing demonstrations and sample freshly prepared specialties on the spot. Every single night, captivating culinary shows spotlighted the versatility of Cà Mau crab through mouth-watering signature dishes such as tamarind-braised crab, beer-steamed crab, and salt-chili grilled crab, leaving audiences mesmerized by both aroma and flavor.
A series of fun yet fiercely competitive contests added an infectious festive energy. The coveted “King Crab” competition crowned the heaviest specimen weighing over 1.8 kilograms, with the winning owner walking away with a grand prize of 15 million VND. Other crowd favorites included lightning-fast crab racing, rapid crab-catching challenges, and traditional crab-tying contests that showcased the remarkable skill of local fishers. Several national record proposals related to size, quantity, and culinary presentations of Cà Mau crab were officially submitted to VietKings (Vietnam Records Organization) for recognition.
From 18 to 22 November, a satellite Cà Mau Crab Gastronomy Festival was simultaneously held at the Youth Cultural House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, allowing thousands of urban food lovers to savor freshly prepared crab dishes at approximately 800,000 VND per kilogram. Numerous booths sold out within just a few hours each day, far exceeding revenue targets thanks to overwhelming demand.
To further amplify tourism appeal, the province synchronized the festival with the Cà Mau Marathon 2025 – an international-standard running event that attracted athletes from across Vietnam and abroad – as well as the vibrant “Hello Cà Mau” promotional program, encouraging visitors to explore the region’s pristine mangrove forests, bird sanctuaries, and breathtaking coastal landmarks.
Profound economic, cultural, and community significance
Cà Mau Provincial People’s Council eloquently emphasized that the festival was far more than a celebration of a single product. It served as a vivid showcase of “Cà Mau – the dynamic, friendly southernmost land of Vietnam” while manifesting the province’s resolute determination to transform itself into the leading maritime economic hub of the Mekong Delta, specializing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, clean energy, and high-value ecological tourism. The event powerfully spotlighted integrated shrimp-crab-fish polyculture models beneath mangrove canopies – farming systems that not only generate substantial income for local households but also actively contribute to carbon sequestration, shoreline protection, and the preservation of one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
At the emotional closing ceremony on the evening of November 22, 2025, the province proudly honored 16 outstanding collectives and 75 individuals who have devoted their lives to the fisheries sector, paying heartfelt tribute to these “silent heroes” of the sea. Cà Mau has truly lived and breathed the joyful festival atmosphere, leaving both residents and visitors with unforgettable emotions about a hospitable, civilized, and culturally rich Cà Mau. Cà Mau’s ambition for the Crab Festival to evolve into a regional and eventually national signature event, thereby making a tangible contribution to the country’s overarching vision of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045.
The 2025 festival attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees, generated hundreds of billions of đồng in trade and tourism revenue, and further solidified Cà Mau crab’s position on the global seafood map. Building on this momentum, provincial leaders committed to sustained post-festival communication campaigns, unified branding efforts, and expanded international partnerships to officially elevate Cà Mau crab into a true “national brand” recognized worldwide.
The Cà Mau Crab Festival 2025 was not merely a feast for the palate; it was a profound journey that elevated cultural identity, economic potential, and environmental responsibility. It powerfully reaffirmed the enduring vitality of a land where “the mangrove forest embraces the sea, and the sea caresses the forest” – a place where tradition, innovation, and nature converge in perfect harmony. Visitors departing Cà Mau carried with them not only the unforgettable taste of its legendary crabs but also a deep appreciation for a community passionately committed to sustainable prosperity for generations to come. The mangrove-shaded trails, bird-filled skies, and eco-tours of Cape Cà Mau continue to beckon travelers year-round, promising authentic and unforgettable southern Vietnamese experiences.
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