HCMC – Ninh Binh Province will host Pho Festival 2026 from March 19 to 22, featuring around 50 pho brands from across Vietnam, organizers announced.
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup served with beef or chicken and topped with a handful of chopped herbs and chives.
The event will take place at Thien Truong pedestrian street in the Thong Nhat urban area, according to information released at a planning meeting on March 17.
The festival carries the theme “Vietnamese Pho – A living heritage in the modern era” and is organized by the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association in coordination with local agencies.
Organizers aim to honor the traditional pho-making craft and provide practical data to support a dossier seeking UNESCO recognition for pho as a world heritage.
The event will highlight the historical development of pho and its evolution across regions, while contributing to efforts to preserve and promote its cultural value after being listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
About 50 booths from pho businesses and brands nationwide are expected. Activities include an appraisal program titled “Pho Vietnam Imprint,” a forum on pho in the context of global heritage, a showcase of rolled pho dishes from three regions, an art performance night “Pho Connect,” and a seminar on promoting pho globally.
An experiential program will also take place on March 18 and 19 at Van Cu communal house in Nam Dong Commune, described by organizers as one of the cradles of traditional pho making in Ninh Binh.
Organizers expect the festival to promote culinary culture linked to tourism, enhance the province’s profile, strengthen regional connections, and support service sector growth.
