Eating pho is not just enjoying the food, but enjoying a lifestyle.

'Eating pho is not just about enjoying the food, but also about enjoying a way of life. From the technique of making the broth, slicing the meat, pouring the noodles, to the space of gathering around a hot bowl of pho - all create a cultural experience full of humanity'.

Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son (left) and Head of the Cultural Department of UNESCO Office in Vietnam Pham Thi Thanh Huong at the discussion - Photo: T.DIEU

This is the sharing of Head of the Cultural Department of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Pham Thi Thanh Huong at the discussion "Pho - the story from intangible cultural heritage to creative industry" organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports , Kinh te va Do thi newspaper in coordination with other units on October 11 in Hanoi .

The seminar has three sessions for delegates who are cultural and culinary researchers, managers, UNESCO representatives, pho cooks, etc. to share cultural perspectives on pho.

Pho is a gold mine

Talking about the popularity of pho today, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education - said that pho is present everywhere in the world, from small restaurants in Paris, London, Sydney to the restaurant chains "Pho 24", "Pho Thin" or "Pho Lovers" in Tokyo, New York.

In the eyes of foreigners, pho has become a "cultural symbol representing Vietnam", similar to sushi to Japan, kimchi to Korea or pizza to Italy.

Mr. Son concluded that from a cultural management perspective, pho meets the criteria to be recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, moving towards building a UNESCO nomination dossier.

"Pho is a gold mine. If we know how to exploit it with a cultural industrial mindset, pho will not only spread domestically, but can also reach out to the world," said Mr. Son.

He also proposed building creative spaces for pho - where stories are told through art, images, and digital technology.

Deputy Head of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Management - Department of Cultural Heritage Pham Cao Quy (left) said that Vietnam has completed the dossier to submit to UNESCO to register Pho as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity - Photo: T.DIEU

"Live slow, eat slow" with pho

Head of the Cultural Department of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Pham Thi Thanh Huong also shares the same opinion.

She said pho has become an international noun, requiring no translation, like when referring to pizza or spaghetti...

The representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam especially appreciated the cultural value of pho. According to Ms. Huong, pho carries values ​​that are suitable for the "slow food" trend.

This is a rising culinary movement in the world, promoting enjoyment, respect for the processing process and health values, counterbalancing the "fast food" culture spreading from the West.

One can find the opportunity to enjoy a slow lifestyle when enjoying pho, not just simply enjoying the food.

Vietnamese Pho, with its sophisticated preparation knowledge and unique culture of enjoyment, meets all the criteria to become a world heritage like many other dishes of the world.

According to Ms. Huong, when compared with other heritages that have been recognized such as the art of making kimchi in Korea, the French baguette culture or Singaporean street food... we can be confident that pho has the potential to be recognized by UNESCO in the future.

The UNESCO representative in Vietnam also noted that building heritage profiles is not just about chasing titles, but also helps us better understand the value of our own heritage.

Ms. Huong believes that if listed, the positive impact will not only be on the brand, but also an opportunity for pho to become a "cultural ambassador" of Vietnam, helping the world better understand the Vietnamese soul: simple, sophisticated and endlessly creative.

"Pho is a truly delicious dish, truly specially prepared, deserving of being honored as a global cultural icon," commented a UNESCO representative.

Regarding the story of preparing a dossier to submit to UNESCO to register Vietnamese pho as a heritage, Deputy Head of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Management - Department of Cultural Heritage Pham Cao Quy said that Vietnam is gradually completing the dossier to submit to UNESCO to register pho as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

To date, Vietnam has had 16 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, and no application has been rejected.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-pho-khong-chi-la-thuong-thuc-mon-an-ma-la-tan-huong-mot-loi-song-20251011233136023.htm