Vietnam Pho Festival to take place in Japan next month

The event, which marks the seventh edition of the 'Day of Pho' (December 12), will feature many Vietnamese brands of pho, an iconic Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat – usually beef or chicken, namely Pho Dau, Pho Hai Thien, Pho Phu Gia, Pho 'S, Pho Sen SASCO, Pho Ta - Binh Tay Food, Pho Thin Bo Ho, along with brands served at five-star hotels such as Majestic Saigon Hotel, Grand Saigon Hotel, and Thu Duc Golf Club, among others.

It is held by Tuoi Tre newspaper, Saigontourist Group, the Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, with support of Vietnam Embassy in Japan and Manichi Newspaper.

A series of promotional activities will be organized, such as a talkshow "Love for Vietnam Pho", a pho cooking contest for Japanese people, an exhibition and a video screening program featuring the history of the dish.

The program will see the presence of culinary expert Matsuo Tomoyuki, Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association, who is the ambassador of the festival.

The municipal Department of Industry and Trade will also arrange investment and trade promotion activities, and introduce products of enterprises operating in the food industry.

Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Group, said that through accompanying the fest, the first of its kind in this East Asian nation, the firm wants to realize its commitment to promoting Vietnamese culture and cuisine to the world and create a highlight to attract more Japanese tourists to Vietnam.

Japanese Consul General in HCMC Masuo Ono said the fest is part of practical activities to strengthen culture exchanges and economic connections between the two nations.

With around 40 booths, the Vietnam Pho Festival 2023 is expected to serve some 50,000 visitors.