Manh Khang Dao - FLAVORS

Flavors:

Your Guide To

Culinary Discovery

Role: Brand Designer

Flavors Vietnam began as the premier annual celebration of the country’s vibrant food and beverage scene. Launched by Vietcetera in collaboration with leading industry partners, the event series brought together culinary talents, restaurateurs, beverage experts, and food enthusiasts from across Vietnam—and beyond.

Now evolving beyond an event series, Flavors is transforming into a full-fledged content platform. Led by a team of creators, it produces English-first content centered on food, culture, and connection. Its mission is to become the go-to resource for all things Vietnam, engaging a global audience and using digital channels as a hub to drive traffic to both online and offline experiences.

The logo is inspired by the image of fireworks, symbolizing an explosion of flavors. The idea came to me as I recalled one of my favorite scenes from the Disney movie Ratatouille—the tasting scene with Remy and his brother.

Strawberries, cheese, or any ingredient in cooking each have their own kind of visual and sensory expression. Strawberries, with their tangy flavor, evoke something edgy, sharp, embossed, and delicate. Cheese, on the other hand, gives a sense of softness—melting, gentle, and spreading smoothly in your mouth. When these elements come together, they create a beautiful picture of harmony.

But that kind of visualization varies from person to person. Remy, being a chef, experiences each ingredient distinctly—he enjoys and appreciates the flavors in detail. His brother, on the other hand, is just an ordinary eater. He eats simply to survive and doesn’t usually pay attention to taste. So when he tries to savor food for the first time, everything feels blurry and undefined—unlike the clear, vivid experience that Remy has.

And from there, I was inspired to define the spirit and tone of voice for the brand.

The moodboard.

I worked with my teammate Amy (@amyanh.studio) on the type design. The typeface is inspired by the shape of the lò đất nung, the traditional clay stove found in Vietnamese kitchens.

Fire symbolizes the beginning of life and the spark of creation. In cooking, fire plays a crucial role in enhancing and elevating flavors, bringing each dish to its fullest richness.

People usually talk about "Vị" in terms of the five basic tastes: măn (salty), ngot (sweet), chua (sour), cay (spicy), and đăng (bitter). But when these tastes blend with the culture and recipes of each region, they take on a unique character, what I would call Vị Hà Nôi, Vị Sài Gòn and so on.