Spreading the heritage value of Pho to the world

In order to strengthen the management, protection and promotion of the value of the intangible cultural heritage "Pho" after being listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, on the morning of October 11, at Tasco Mall (No. 7-9 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Viet Hung Ward, Hanoi), Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Economic & Urban Newspaper in collaboration with Viet Hung Ward People's Committee, UNESCO Center for Vietnamese Culinary Culture and Tasco Mall Trade Center organized a series of activities "Pho - The story of intangible culture in the flow of creative industry".

Discussion Pho - The story of intangible cultural heritage in the creative industry flow. Photo: DK

Connecting traditional and modern values

Hanoi Pho is the crystallization of folk knowledge, processing skills and typical eating habits of Hanoi people, containing the cultural quintessence of the capital, reflecting the length of history, ingenuity and sophistication in Hanoi's culinary culture.

In 2024, the folk knowledge of "Pho Hanoi" was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism . Photo: HNM

In 2024, the folk knowledge of “Pho Hanoi” was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This is not only the official recognition of the State for the cultural, historical and scientific values ​​of the heritage, but also sets out requirements for the work of protecting, teaching, promoting and developing the value of the heritage in the current context.

According to experts and researchers, pho is a mirror reflecting the history of cultural exchange and assimilation. Hanoians consider pho a dish of the soul, while each locality has its own way of preserving its pho flavor: rich in Nam Dinh, light in Lang Son, passionate in Gia Lai. It is this diversity that makes this dish last.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai. Photo: DK

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai said that implementing Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU of the Hanoi Party Committee on developing cultural industries in the capital for the period of 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030 and a vision to 2045, the protection and promotion of the value of pho intangible cultural heritage plays a particularly important role. Linking the traditional value of pho with the trend of creativity and innovation in the cultural industry is a sustainable direction, helping the heritage to both promote its value and preserve its traditional identity, thereby contributing to realizing the strategic goals of cultural, economic and social development of the capital.

Last September, the Hanoi People's Committee proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to ask for the Prime Minister's permission to allow Hanoi to preside over and coordinate with provinces and cities with "Pho" heritage to build a scientific dossier to request UNESCO to list Pho on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is an important step demonstrating the determination to protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage, while positioning the "Pho" culinary brand not only domestically but also internationally.

Deputy Head of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Management - Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Cao Quy said that this is a step forward in the journey of preserving and promoting Vietnamese culinary heritage, while affirming the country's capacity and position in the field of cultural heritage. "If successful, Pho will be a new testament to the creativity and spirit of preservation of the Vietnamese people in bringing national cultural values ​​to the world" - Mr. Pham Cao Quy emphasized.

Spreading the cultural values ​​of Pho

Nowadays, in many universities, especially the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Hanoi National University), pho is not only mentioned as a dish, but also a typical case in the study of intangible heritage. Students learn about pho in tourism, journalism, and cultural studies - as a way to understand the identity of Hanoi, the intersection between tradition and modernity in cuisine.

Guests at the discussion about Pho. Photo: DK

According to Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong - Director of the Institute of Hanoi Studies and International Training, including Pho in the curriculum is a way to spread the love and awareness of heritage preservation to the younger generation. She believes that preservation is not only about keeping a dish intact, but also about continuing to inspire creativity based on old values.

Dr. Pham Thi Lan Anh, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage Management (Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports), said that preservation does not mean standing still. Variations such as pho cuon, pho tron, pho chien phong or pho ga nghe thuat show the flexible adaptability of Hanoians. Such creativity does not destroy the identity, but helps heritage continue to live in modern life.

Activities to introduce Pho heritage took place at Tasco Mall on October 11 and 12. Photo: DK

In recent years, to honor and spread the cultural value of “Pho Hanoi”, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports has coordinated with many units to organize culinary events and seminars to introduce Pho culture. The activities also aim to honor the artisans and practitioners who possess and pass on the knowledge, skills, techniques and secrets of making Pho.

At the same time, this is an opportunity for researchers, artisans, culinary experts, businesses and managers to share perspectives, stories, as well as propose initiatives to affirm the cultural and historical values ​​of pho; find new directions in promoting and developing Vietnamese pho on the world culinary map; connect pho with the creative, tourism, media and cultural industries.

On October 11 and 12, at Tasco Mall, the following activities will take place: Display of Pho spice space; Exhibition of history and cultural space, Hanoi Pho customs; Traditional art performance; Exhibition of sketches of intangible heritage "Pho" by students of Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts. In particular, at the space to introduce and enjoy Hanoi's intangible cultural heritage held outdoors, there will be demonstrations of the pho cooking process, and experiences of dishes from famous pho brands such as: Pho Thin Hang Tre, Pho Long Bich, Pho Khoi Hoi...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lan-toa-gia-tri-di-san-pho-ra-the-gioi-719289.html