Delegates press the button to officially open the Pho Festival 2026 on March 20, 2026. Photo: nhandan.vn

Pho has evolved into a symbol of Vietnamese culinary culture. Born in traditional craft villages like Van Cu and Giao Cu – the cradle of pho, generations of master artisans have guarded its secret recipes. These days, pho makers are creating regional variations, spreading the noodle soup nationwide and earning global recognition.

Tourists line up to enjoy Vietnamese pho. Photo: nhandan.vn

Back in 2024, both Nam Dinh and Hanoi pho scored a major win when they landed on Vietnam's National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Running through Sunday, the festival has some 50 booths line the street, each run by an artisan or a well-known pho house representing northern, central and southern Vietnam. Visitors can watch live demos of pho in the making, craft village exhibits, panel discussions and culinary exchanges.