With more than 450 varieties of chili from around the world, together with traditional culinary and cultural activities, the fair attracted about 150,000 chili enthusiasts from all over Italy as well as foreign visitors.
On the occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Thi Bich Hue introduced Italian friends to the advantages of Vietnamese agricultural products and spices.
With a tropical climate and diverse ecosystem, Vietnam's spices are extremely rich, including many special, popular flavours such as cinnamon, anise, pepper, cardamom, cashew and chili.
Globalisation, trade development, tourism and the discovery of cultures, including culinary culture, are helping increase the demand for spices around the world, Ambassador Hue said, adding that spices are no longer just a production/export industry, but are becoming an industry that transmits traditional cultural values.
Visitors also have chance to taste foods featuring chilli as an ingredient, while enjoying local music and the historical relic sites of Rieti.
Rieti Cuore Piccante has become a key cultural event for locals in Rieti.
