Pho Festival in Ninh Binh
Vietnam’s Pho Festival 2026 is running in Ninh Binh through March 22 and bills itself as a celebration of pho as 'living cultural heritage,' with artisan showcases, researcher panels, hands‑on tours and workshops in the dish’s birthplace. The event mixes tradition and culinary tourism—perfect for a deep‑dive food trip. (en.vietnamplus.vn) (en.vietnamplus.vn)
The festival’s formal opening ceremony was held on March 20 in Ninh Bình province, with delegates pressing the launch button at the inaugural event. (vietnamnews.vn) Main festival activities are centered at Thiên Trường Walking Street (Thien Truong pedestrian street) in the Thống Nhất urban area, while experiential programming and village visits take place in craft hamlets such as Vân Cù. (english.thesaigontimes.vn) Organizers listed include the Ninh Bình Culinary Culture Association in coordination with provincial departments, and the program carries the theme “Vietnamese Phở – A Living Heritage in the Heart of the Modern Era.” (english.thesaigontimes.vn) The public footprint includes roughly 50 exhibition booths or branded spaces showcasing regional phở styles and food businesses selected to represent the dish across Vietnam. (sodulich.ninhbinh.gov.vn) One stated objective of the festival is to compile practical evidence and data to support a dossier seeking recognition of phở as an intangible cultural heritage at UNESCO. (en.baoninhbinh.org.vn) Organizers and local media point to traditional craft villages such as Vân Cù and Giao Cù as the historical roots of phở, where generations of master artisans have maintained recipes and techniques. (vietnamnews.vn) Local tourism authorities describe the Ninh Bình selection as part of a broader push to link phở promotion with the province’s cultural and natural tourism offerings, and note the festival format has been staged annually since 2024. (dulichninhbinh.com.vn)
