From street pho stall to 70-year-old brand

VHO - When it comes to Hanoi cuisine, Pho is always the first dish that comes to mind as a unique cultural feature associated with the lives of the capital's people and tourists. Not just a simple snack, a bowl of Hanoi Pho has become a symbol, the "soul" of Vietnamese cuisine in the eyes of international friends. Among them, a name that has lived in the memories of many generations of Hanoians for the past 70 years - Pho Thin Bo Ho is an indelible mark.

70 years of "keeping the fire" of family tradition

For those who love pho in Hanoi , everyone has once visited the small alley at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang to enjoy a hot bowl of pho with its distinctive flavor. It was here that the Pho Thin Bo Ho brand was born, grew up with the history of the capital and became a part of the memories of Hanoians.

The first person to lay the foundation for the Pho Thin Bo Ho brand was Mr. Bui Chi Thin, born in 1927 in Hoai Duc, Ha Tay (now Hanoi). During the years when the country was still engulfed in the flames of war, Mr. Thin joined the militia and guerrillas in the resistance movement against the French. In 1952, he was arrested by the French colonialists and imprisoned in Hoa Lo prison.

Mr. Bui Chi Thin is the creator of the Pho Thin Bo Ho brand.

After a period of detention, he was released, but instead of returning to his hometown, he chose to stay in Hanoi, living with a relative who sold pho. From a small pho stall that roamed the streets from Thi Sach to Ham Long, down to Yen Phu Water Plant and then stopped at Au Tri Vien (now Hanoi Children's Palace), he gradually became attached to the profession, supporting his family and nurturing his love for this traditional dish.

In 1955, Mr. Thin, his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ty, and their children moved to the pho business at Lane 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, starting a journey to preserve and develop the traditional pho flavor that has lasted for 70 years. The pho stall has now become a prestigious brand, loved by the people and trusted by international friends.

Not just a pho seller, Mr. Thin is also affectionately nicknamed “doctor” Thi by his customers. To him, hot bowls of pho can help sick people sweat, relieve colds, and regain strength. His love, dedication to the profession, and simple philosophy of life are what have created the soul of Pho Thin Bo Ho over the years.

Over time, Mr. Thin's children and grandchildren continued to inherit and develop the brand. Up to now, the family has expanded many other facilities besides the original facility at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang; along with 1 Hang Tre, 1 Le Van Huu and 19 Hang Voi.

Pho Thin Bo Ho has gone through a 70-year journey of keeping the family tradition alive.

What makes Pho Thin Bo Ho's brand is the original flavor inherited through many generations. The slogan 70 years - Keeping the family fire - Untouched flavor has affirmed the brand's longevity, encapsulating the enduring spirit of Pho Thin. "Keeping the family fire" is the fire that has kept Pho Thin Bo Ho's kitchen burning for 70 years, and is also the fire of passion passed from Mr. Thin to the next generation, keeping the original recipe and way of making pho without any cross-breeding.

The enduring vitality of traditional cuisine

After 70 years of development, Pho Thin Bo Ho is not only a famous pho brand in the country, but also known internationally. Pho Thin Bo Ho is also in the top 10 most favorite pho brands. In 2019, Pho Thin Bo Ho was honored to be selected to serve the US - North Korea Summit, an important international event held in Hanoi.

Pho Thin Bo Ho is also honored to participate in promoting the quintessence of Vietnamese culinary culture at Vietnam Day in France in 2023; along with the Vietnam Pho Festival events in Japan and Korea.

The small alley 61 Dinh Tien Hoang is associated with the brand Pho Thin Bo Ho.

With the continuous and legal use of the Pho Thin trade name for the past 70 years, Mr. Thin’s family – especially Mr. Bui Chi Dat and 8 other members – are now the legal and sole owners of the Pho Thin trade name and trademark in Vietnam. The trademark has been granted a certificate of protection since 2004, under trademark registration number 277810, ensuring the family’s legal intellectual property rights in developing the brand domestically and internationally.

In the era of increasingly strong global cuisine, Pho Thin Bo Ho is not only the story of a family, but also a testament to the persistence and success of a traditional business model if it knows how to preserve its identity and adapt to the times. The family's continued inheritance and development of Pho Thin not only contributes to promoting traditional dishes but also affirms the position of Vietnamese cuisine on the world map.

Pho Thin Bo Ho with the same flavor for 70 years

Pho Thin's 70-year journey is a living testament to the enduring vitality of traditional cuisine when it is infused with passion and love for the profession. From a pho stall on the streets of Hanoi's old streets, to a brand recognized by international friends, Pho Thin Bo Ho is a story of perseverance, love for the homeland and respect for national heritage.

With the next generation, Pho Thin is facing the opportunity to develop even more strongly – not only in Vietnam but also internationally, bringing the familiar flavors of Hanoi to the world. It is not an easy journey, but it is completely possible, when there is a solid foundation of love and dedication that has been built over seven decades.

On the occasion of its 70th anniversary (1955 - 2025), Pho Thin Bo Ho is launching a special gratitude program for customers, taking place over 3 days (October 9, 10 and 11) at the brand's locations.

Accordingly, the program serves 1,000 free bowls of pho to specific subjects, divided equally for each day at each facility. Each customer who is grateful will receive a bowl of pho according to the traditional recipe of Pho Thin Bo Ho. Applicable subjects are customers who are 70 years old or older (calculated according to the year of birth on the citizen identification card) or groups of 2 people with a total age of exactly 70. The year of birth information will be checked at the reception desk before serving.

This is the first time the long-standing pho brand in Hanoi has launched a large-scale gratitude program, targeting customers of many generations. A representative of Pho Thin Bo Ho said that choosing an age directly related to the 70th anniversary of its establishment shows the connection between generations of diners who have been accompanying Pho Thin Bo Ho.

“70 years is an important milestone for any brand, especially a traditional family pho restaurant like ours. That journey is thanks to the trust and support of customers - those who have gone through many ups and downs with Pho Thin.

We chose to show our gratitude with the traditional pho that our family has preserved for decades. Those hot bowls of pho, fragrant with ginger, scallions and rich broth are our way of thanking our customers, not with words, but with taste,” shared a representative of Pho Thin Bo Ho.

Choosing a 70-year-old customer or a group of two people with a combined age of 70 is not only a reference to the 70-year journey, but also an affirmation that every generation is a part of the story of Pho Thin Bo Ho. The program is expected to bring a little joy, as well as create memorable moments for Hanoi pho lovers.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/tu-ganh-pho-rong-den-thuong-hieu-70-nam-tuoi-172942.html