Chongqing - An international Spring Festival market held from Feb 6 to 8 in Chongqing's Yuzhong District brought together consulates and local vendors for a three-day showcase of global cuisine, handicrafts, and Chinese New Year shopping. 

The event, themed "Galloping into Spring, Meeting the World in Chongqing," featured participation from consulates general in Chongqing and Chengdu representing Italy, the Philippines, Australia, Pakistan, Uruguay, Belarus, Vietnam, and Myanmar, alongside Chongqing’s local snacks and festive New Year goods.

An international Spring Festival market held from Feb 6 to 8 in Chongqing's Yuzhong District brought together consulates and local vendors for a three-day showcase of global cuisine, handicrafts and Chinese New Year shopping. (Photo: Deng Yan)

The market drew heavy foot traffic on its first day, with a festive atmosphere across the riverside venue. Consular officials toured the stalls and joined in traditional Chinese New Year activities, including writing Spring Festival couplets and playing touhu, a historic pitch-pot game, as visitors gathered to watch and take part.

In the international section, visitors sampled foods such as fresh-baked Italian pizza, Australian wine, Belarusian chocolate and Vietnamese spring rolls. Stalls also offered Pakistani handicrafts, Uruguayan amethyst jewelry, and Myanmar coffee and artisanal products.

The Vietnamese spring rolls. (Photo: Deng Yan)

The Chongqing zone focused on regional street food and holiday staples, allowing residents to both explore local flavors and purchase New Year items in a single trip.

Ivan Frank M. Olea, Consul General of the Philippines in Chongqing, said, "We're very happy to be here — this is our first time participating in Chongqing's international Spring Festival market." 

"Since the 16th century, Chinese migrants have had a deep impact on Filipino food," he said, adding that Filipino dishes often share "salty, sour and sweet" profiles similar to cooking in parts of southern China. The Philippine booth featured barbecue and the popular dessert halo-halo.

Looking ahead, He said bilateral business ties show strong momentum: "In 2025, trade between the Philippines and Chongqing grew by 24% — the potential is huge," he said. "We will continue to build bridges for companies and deepen people-to-people exchanges, including exploring partnerships between secondary schools in the two places."

Bui Nguyen Long, Consul General of Vietnam in Chongqing, highlighted the role of food in cultural exchange. "We want Chongqing citizens to learn more about Vietnamese food and culture through this market." 

Long noted that Vietnam has been Chongqing's largest trading partner within ASEAN for five consecutive years, with active trade in tropical fruits, coffee, and aquatic products. He also pointed to closer tourism cooperation, noting that two-way visitor numbers rose by about 40% in 2025, and expressed expectations for deeper collaboration in trade, culture, and tourism.

The international market is part of a broader push by Chongqing to combine holiday consumption with cultural exchange, offering residents a festive venue to sample global flavors, experience traditional New Year customs and engage with representatives from overseas communities in the city.