Pho takes Vietnam’s flavours, identity on Europe journey

Vietnam is bringing the story of its cuisine to European audiences through a cross-continental cultural journey centred on pho, the country’s iconic noodle soup.

Hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria in partnership with the We Love Pho Association, the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, and eight renowned culinary artisans and experts, the event in Vienna forms part of the Pho and Vietnamese Culinary Culture Journey Across Europe, which spans nine destinations in six countries.

More than a food showcase, the programme combines live cooking demonstrations, cultural talks, chef-to-chef exchanges, and business networking to strengthen the global profile of Vietnamese cuisine and promote deeper international connections through gastronomy.

The Vienna event drew nearly 100 guests, including Austrian government officials, ambassadors and chargés d’affaires, representatives of international organisations, members of the Vietnamese community, entrepreneurs, and friends from Austria and elsewhere in Europe, reflecting growing interest in Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage.

Opening the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang hailed the initiative as a meaningful example of cultural diplomacy. He described cuisine as a powerful bridge between peoples and nations, and said pho represents far more than a beloved national dish. Each bowl, he noted, carries generations of folk wisdom, culinary craftsmanship, and cultural memory, making it a vivid expression of Vietnam’s identity and spirit.

The ambassador also said Vietnam is preparing a scientific dossier to seek UNESCO recognition for pho on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Such recognition, he added, would not only celebrate pho as a shared cultural treasure of humanity, but could also help establish it as a national cultural brand, boost the country’s tourism appeal, and create new opportunities for Vietnam’s culinary and cultural industries.

Adding a hands-on touch to the occasion, artisan Le Thi Thiet, Vice President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association and Chairwoman of the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, joined fellow artisans in demonstrating the art of preparing pho and showing guests how to make fresh spring rolls, winning enthusiastic responses from attendees./.