Experts say Vietnamese ‘pho’ has strong potential for UNESCO recognition

From the technique of simmering broth and slicing beef to the act of serving and gathering around a steaming bowl, everything about pho reflects a deeply human cultural experience, Huong added while speaking at a seminar titled 'Pho – From Intangible Cultural Heritage to Creative Industry' in Hanoi last week.

The event was held by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and Kinh Te & Do Thi (Economic and Urban) newspaper in collaboration with several partners.

It featured three discussion sessions bringing together cultural and culinary researchers, administrators, UNESCO representatives, and pho chefs to share cultural perspectives on the iconic Vietnamese dish.

Pho: a gold mine

Discussing the global popularity of pho, Bui Hoai Son, standing member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Education, said pho has appeared almost everywhere in the world, from small eateries in Paris, London, and Sydney to restaurant chains such as Pho 24, Pho Thin, and Pho Lovers in Tokyo and New York.

To people in other countries, pho has become a 'cultural symbol representing Vietnam,' much like sushi for Japan, kimchi for South Korea, or pizza for Italy.

From a cultural management perspective, Son said pho cooking meets the criteria to be recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, paving the way for a UNESCO nomination.

“Pho is a gold mine. If we know how to leverage it with a creative mindset, pho can not only flourish domestically but also go global,” Son said.

He also proposed creating creative spaces dedicated to pho, where its story could be told through art, imagery, and digital technology.

Pho deserves UNESCO recognition

Sharing the same view, Pham Thi Thanh Huong said pho has already become an international word that needs no translation, just like pizza or spaghetti. 

The UNESCO representative in Vietnam highly appreciated the cultural value of pho, noting that it embodies qualities aligned with the global 'slow food' movement which emphasizes mindful eating, respect for the cooking process, and health values, standing in contrast to the fast food culture that has spread from the West.

One can find an opportunity to embrace a slower pace of life while enjoying a bowl of pho, rather than simply savoring a dish.

With its refined culinary knowledge and distinctive dining culture, Vietnamese pho embodies all the qualities needed to become a heritage of humanity, just like many others around the globe.

According to Huong, when compared with other UNESCO-recognized heritage elements such as South Korea’s kimchi-making, France’s baguette culture, or Singapore’s hawker culture, Vietnam can be confident that pho holds strong potential for future recognition.

Huong also noted that building a heritage dossier should not be about chasing titles but about deepening understanding of the true value of one’s own cultural heritage.

She said that if recognized, the positive impact would go beyond branding, offering an opportunity for pho to become a 'cultural ambassador' of Vietnam, helping the world better understand the Vietnamese spirit: simple, sophisticated, and endlessly creative.

“Pho is truly a delicious dish, uniquely crafted, and deserves to be honored as a worldwide cultural symbol,” Huong said.

Pham Cao Quy, deputy head of the Intangible Cultural Management office under Cultural Heritage Department, said Vietnam is completing documentation to nominate pho cooking for UNESCO recognition as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

To date, Vietnam has had 16 intangible cultural heritage elements inscribed by UNESCO, with none of its nominations ever being rejected.