Bobby Chinn may not be Vietnamese but he’s been identified as one of the “most promising candidates” to replace Ly Nha Ky as the country’s tourism ambassador.

According to DTI News, Nguyen Van Tinh, Director General of the International Cooperation Department said that despite his lack of Vietnamese nationality, he has gone above and beyond to support the country’s culinary scene: "Bobby Chinn is a world renowned chef. Even though he isn't a Vietnamese national, he has lived in Vietnam for 20 years and has used his skills to create various innovative Vietnamese fusion dishes," said Tinh.

Tran Nhat Hoang, Director of Culture, Sport and Tourism Promotion Centre said that his department had contacted Chinn and that he was excited about the prospect of taking on the role that would last from 2014 - 2017.

Chinn was born in Auckland, New Zealand and made a name for himself as a celebrity chef and currently owns high-end restaurants in both Hanoi and another in HCMC.

Chinn's competitors for the gig include beauty queens, such as Dieu Han and Huynh Thi Ngoc Han, Do Thi Hong Thuan, a teacher, actress Lan Phuong and Miss Asia USA 2006 Jennifer Pham.

[DTI News // Photo via Inquirer]