From familiar dishes to cultural values
Pho has accompanied many generations of Vietnamese people for more than a century. Pho also has many similarities with the way sushi became a symbol associated with Japan or pizza associated with Italy. If preserved and promoted in the right direction, pho can completely become a typical cultural symbol of Vietnam on the world culinary map.
The space of Hanoi pho is not only in old restaurants but also present in the memories of the people, in stories about streets and in the experiences of tourists.
In recent years, the appearance of pho restaurants in the Michelin list and evaluation system has also contributed to helping this dish reach a large number of international tourists.
In Hanoi, Huyen Huong chicken pho on Bao Khanh street is one of the addresses that many diners come to through Michelin. The restaurant can serve about 70 customers at the same time. During peak hours, diners sometimes have to wait from 30 minutes to an hour to have a table.
Being recognized by Michelin is a great joy for Ms. Huyen's family after many years of attachment to the profession. However, for her, the title is not the final destination. "When customers and Michelin recognize us, we have to try even harder to maintain the quality" - the shop owner said.
International tourists come to Vietnam through bowls of pho
Many foreign tourists come to pho restaurants through suggestions on the Michelin system or information shared on travel platforms.
Mr. Daniel, a tourist from Australia, learns about pho according to Michelin's suggestion. After experiencing it, he said he was really surprised by the flavor of chicken pho.
According to Daniel, what impressed him and his companion was the rich broth and the attractive chicken meat. This experience made him want to continue to explore other pho dishes during his time in Vietnam and introduce this dish to friends.
Daniel's story shows the power of cuisine in creating cultural experiences. A tourist to Vietnam can start a journey of discovery from a bowl of pho, then learn more about Hanoi, people, history and the unique cultural features of the country.
To make pho truly become a living cultural heritage, preservation cannot just stop at the recipe. More importantly, it is to preserve the knowledge, skills, stories and cultural space associated with the dish; and at the same time encourage creativity so that pho adapts to contemporary life.
