The award ceremony took place during the 13th Southern Folk Cake Festival, held from 26/4 to 1/5, 2026, at Binh Thuy Ward Square. Beyond acknowledging the eateries' contributions to local cuisine, the awards also introduced visitors to the unique experiences of Tay Do (Can Tho).

Grab developed the list of 40 renowned Can Tho eateries using multiple reference sources to ensure objectivity. The selection process incorporated information from GrabFood users in Can Tho during 2025, including order volume, ratings, experience feedback, and satisfaction levels. Additionally, the platform consulted with the Professional Chefs' Association of the Mekong Delta and gathered community opinions from local platforms. Food safety, service quality, and consumer rights were also key criteria in the evaluation.

The program honored 40 restaurants and eateries across three categories. The "Huong vi tru danh" (renowned flavor) category celebrated 15 eateries known for their distinctive local flavors, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the region's unique culinary heritage. Notable examples included Banh cong Can Tho, Banh uot cay me, Lau vit nau chao Thanh Giao, Banh xeo 7 Toi, and Com ga Le Trang.

The "Duoc yeu thich nhat" (most loved) category recognized 15 restaurants and eateries that received numerous positive reviews from the user community regarding food quality and service experience on the Grab app. Some representatives included Com ga Tien Ky, Di Nam - Com tam Long Xuyen, Ngon - Tra hoa cao san, Com nha Co Ba, and Hu tieu & bun Thai Di Tu.

Finally, the "Ngoi sao tang truong" (growth star) category honored 10 establishments demonstrating outstanding development, proactive innovation, and impressive growth rates on the GrabFood platform. Examples included Sinh to 228, Com que Bep Xua, Tra sua An Vien, and San Thai - Tra sua Thai dam vi.

Representatives of restaurants receiving the "Huong vi tru danh" award at the event. Photo: Yen Vy

Nguyen Thien Thanh, head of the Tourism Management Department and a representative from the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that the Can Tho "Tru Danh" eatery program is a meaningful activity. It honors the city's distinctive culinary values and contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the riverine region (Mekong Delta). According to Thanh, with Grab Vietnam's involvement, the program helps prominent eateries gain wider recognition and connects them with domestic and international tourists. "We expect such activities to enhance the appeal of local tourism, making cuisine a highlight in the journey of exploring Tay Do," Nguyen Thien Thanh said.

Tran Hoang Tuan, market development director at Grab Vietnam, highlighted Can Tho's unique culinary identity as a crucial part of its appeal to tourists. With support from the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in organizing the "Tru Danh" program, Grab can more effectively promote the city's special culinary values to a broad audience of users and tourists. "Through Grab's technology platform and ecosystem, we aim to connect more local experiences with both domestic and international visitors. In doing so, Grab can contribute to promoting Can Tho's image, boosting local tourism, and supporting eateries in achieving sustainable development in the digital age," Tran Hoang Tuan said.

According to the "Southeast Asia Food Delivery Platforms 6.0" report, released by Momentum Works in January, Vietnam's online food delivery market continues to maintain a significant scale, with an estimated gross merchandise value (GMV) of 2.1 billion USD in 2025. In this context, GrabFood remains a leading platform, bringing diverse culinary options closer to users and tourists.

Grab launched the "Tru Danh" initiative in 2025 to honor restaurants and eateries that preserve and promote local culinary identity. This initiative also creates opportunities for partners to gain wider visibility on digital platforms. Beyond being recognized at the event, honored eateries are featured in the "Tru Danh" collection on GrabFood, increasing their visibility and connection with a large user base. Combining offline activities with online promotion allows GrabFood to connect local cuisine with modern consumer demand and support restaurant partners for sustainable growth.

The Can Tho "Tru Danh" eatery recognition program extends Grab's journey of promoting local cuisine, which has been implemented in many cities nationwide, including Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, and TP HCM. This program, reaching the economic and tourism hub of the Mekong Delta, helps introduce the distinctive flavors of Southwestern Vietnam to a wide audience of users and visitors. Through the combination of real-world activities and digital platforms, GrabFood will help local cuisine become a highlight of the tourism experience at each destination.

Festival visitors receiving transport and food order vouchers at Grab's booth. Photo: Yen Vy

Throughout the six-day Southern Folk Cake Festival, visitors could engage in various interactive activities at Grab's booth, from receiving souvenirs and checking in at AI-powered photo zones to participating in lively exchange activities.

Hoang Anh