Pho Festival draws crowds
Pho Festival 2026 in Ninh Binh is running through March 22 with live cooking, street‑food celebrations and a mix of chefs, researchers and food enthusiasts attending from home and abroad (en.vietnamplus.vn).
Organisers say the event brings roughly 50 pho brands and more than 40 vendor booths representing pho styles from the northern, central and southern regions of Vietnam. (thesaigontimes.vn) (english.thesaigontimes.vn) The festival site is set up along Thien Truong pedestrian street in the Thong Nhat urban area of Ninh Binh province, with a main stage for ceremonies and demonstrations. (thesaigontimes.vn; travelviet.net) (english.thesaigontimes.vn) Organisers are running the festival under the theme “Phở Việt – Di sản sống trong lòng thời đại” and say they will collect practical evidence and data to support a dossier proposing pho for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition. (baolangson.vn; vietbao.vn) (baolangson.vn) The official opening ceremony featured provincial leaders and representatives from central ministries pressing the launch button on March 20, with Lê Thị Thiết — chair of the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association — speaking about Nam Định as a cradle of the craft. (vtv.vn; vovworld.vn) (vtv.vn) Programming includes live master‑chef demonstrations of bone‑stock simmering and ingredient selection, guided presentations on regional pho histories by artisans from Vân Cù and Giao Cù, and cultural exhibits intended to document traditional techniques. (dantocphattrien.vietnamnet.vn; en.baoninhbinh.org.vn) (dantocphattrien.vietnamnet.vn) Organisers note the festival builds on recent heritage recognition: in 2024 phở Nam Định and phở Hà Nội were inscribed as national intangible cultural heritage, a status the current festival organisers cite when framing the UNESCO nomination push. (vtv.vn)
