Vietnam is bringing the story of its cuisine to European audiences through a cross-continental cultural journey centred on pho, the country’s iconic noodle soup.

Visitors participate in a live demonstration of pho roll preparation at the event.

Hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria in partnership with the We Love Pho Association, the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, and eight renowned culinary artisans and experts, the event in Vienna forms part of the Pho and Vietnamese Culinary Culture Journey Across Europe, which spans nine destinations in six countries.

More than a food showcase, the programme combines live cooking demonstrations, cultural talks, chef-to-chef exchanges, and business networking to strengthen the global profile of Vietnamese cuisine and promote deeper international connections through gastronomy.

The Vienna event drew nearly 100 guests, including Austrian government officials, ambassadors and chargés d’affaires, representatives of international organisations, members of the Vietnamese community, entrepreneurs, and friends from Austria and elsewhere in Europe, reflecting growing interest in Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage.

Opening the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang hailed the initiative as a meaningful example of cultural diplomacy.

He described cuisine as a powerful bridge between peoples and nations, and said pho represents far more than a beloved national dish.

Each bowl, he noted, carries generations of folk wisdom, culinary craftsmanship, and cultural memory, making it a vivid expression of Vietnam’s identity and spirit.

The ambassador also said Vietnam is preparing a scientific dossier to seek UNESCO recognition for pho on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Such recognition, he added, would not only celebrate pho as a shared cultural treasure of humanity, but could also help establish it as a national cultural brand, boost the country’s tourism appeal, and create new opportunities for Vietnam’s culinary and cultural industries.

Adding a hands-on touch to the occasion, artisan Le Thi Thiet, Vice President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association and Chairwoman of the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, joined fellow artisans in demonstrating the art of preparing pho and showing guests how to make fresh spring rolls, winning enthusiastic responses from attendees.

Vietnamese Pho Day showcases culture, connectivity in Beijing

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh described pho as a “national dish” and a cultural symbol of Vietnam. He said the event aimed to build bridges bringing international friends closer to Vietnam's culinary culture, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges.

 

First-ever pho museum opens in HCM City

Located in an 800-square-metre area in Ben Thanh ward, the museum is the first private culinary museum in Vietnam licensed by the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports. The museum features three floors offering visitors a journey through pho's 100-year history via a souvenir area, show kitchen, cinema room and cultural exhibition space.

 

Pho, water puppetry to be proposed for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has given in-principle approval for the preparation of scientific dossiers on pho (rice noodle soup) and water puppetry, to be submitted to UNESCO for inclusion on its intangible cultural heritage list.

 

Vietnam Pho Day launched in Europe amid broader culinary push

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join in the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.

 

“Pho Day” festival expected to attract around 100,000 visitors

The “Pho Day 2025” festival will officially take place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 13 and 14. With more than 20,000 bowls of pho expected to be served, the event is projected to attract around 100,000 visitors.