Vietnam's first Pho Museum: A new option for tourists.

VHO - Ho Chi Minh City has just gained a new destination for food lovers with the official opening of the Pho Museum on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ben Thanh Ward, on January 15th.

The first Pho Museum in Vietnam.

The Pho Museum, invested in by Vietnam Tourism Destination Joint Stock Company, is the first privately-run culinary museum in Vietnam licensed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, offering a space to explore pho from a cultural and tourism perspective.

With a total area of ​​approximately 800m2, the Pho Museum is a space showcasing 209 documented and licensed artifacts, along with a rich system of documents and images reflecting the pho culture of the three regions of Vietnam: North, Central, and South.

Beyond simply displaying its products, the Pho Museum aims to preserve, develop, and spread the value of Vietnamese culinary cultural heritage, especially pho, to the public both domestically and internationally.

Besides enjoying pho, guests can also watch a 10-minute documentary that chronicles the history of pho over the centuries, from its humble street vendors in Northern Vietnam to its current status as a global culinary icon.

Mr. Tran Van Bac, founder of the Pho Museum and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Tourism Destination Joint Stock Company, shared: "With the Pho Museum, we hope to contribute to connecting and promoting Vietnam's culinary heritage, integrating into the development of the country's cultural tourism."

Visitors viewing the exhibition space. Photo: Internet

Reportedly, the museum's opening is the result of a rapid preparation process in 2025, from the initial concept and legal aspects to the construction of the experiential space. According to Mr. Le Nhat Thanh, Director of the Pho Museum, the joy of the opening day is accompanied by the pressure to maintain quality and continuously improve the product so that this place truly becomes a place to preserve memories of pho and Vietnamese culinary culture.

Prior to its official opening, the museum opened a demonstration kitchen area and served pho on the ground floor. According to museum representatives, the feedback from international visitors exceeded expectations. Many visitors expressed their delight at being able to observe the pho cooking process while enjoying the dish in a space that tells a cultural story.

Images from a documentary about pho.

Currently, the Pho Museum is organized into two experiential floors. The first floor features a demonstration kitchen combined with a space for enjoying pho. The second floor houses a cultural exhibition area, including a film screening room about Vietnamese pho, art installations, artifacts related to pho, and an interactive game area for visitors. This layout ensures a seamless visitor experience, from taste to sight and emotion.

Regarding costs, the all-inclusive tour package is currently priced at 750,000 VND per person, including the culinary experience; a bowl of pho alone costs 260,000 VND. This price has generated mixed opinions, with many people considering it high compared to the average Vietnamese income.

In response to the debate, Mr. Le Nhat Thanh stated that the museum will maintain the previously announced prices and will continue to monitor public feedback to make appropriate adjustments, aiming to provide domestic and international visitors with the best possible experience at a reasonable price.

Documentary about Vietnamese pho

From the perspective of a culinary expert, chef Vo Thanh Vuong, executive chef of CoCo Dining Restaurant, believes that the price of 260,000 VND for a bowl of pho is not too high when considering the overall experience.

According to him, the bowl of pho at the museum has many ingredients, with a fairly large portion of pork rib soup (about 200-250g), combined with other meats such as rare beef, brisket, tendon, and meatballs. When placed in a restaurant setting that ensures food safety, quality service, and the accompanying cultural story, this price is considered appropriate for tourists.

It can be said that the appearance of the Pho Museum offers a new option, where visitors can not only "eat pho" but also have the opportunity to "understand pho," contributing to enriching the journey of exploring Vietnamese culinary culture right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Visitors to the museum will experience a journey that lasts approximately 60-75 minutes.

Guests can choose an all-inclusive tour priced at 750,000 VND per adult and 500,000 VND per child, or a sightseeing tour without meals.

Even those not participating in the tour can still enjoy pho for 125,000 - 260,000 VND per serving.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/bao-tang-pho-dau-tien-cua-viet-nam-lua-chon-moi-cho-du-khach-197755.html