Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria: Pho is not difficult to prepare, but it is a masterpiece.

Pho - Photo 1.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet delivers the opening speech - Photo: Organizing Committee

Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet shared her thoughts at an event celebrating Vietnamese Pho Day with the theme "Elevating Vietnamese Rice - Spreading Across Five Continents" on December 12th at the Serdika Center shopping mall in Sofia.

This is not only an event to promote Vietnamese cuisine but also a cultural bridge connecting Vietnam with international friends; it is hoped that the Vietnamese Pho Day in Sofia will contribute to further deepening friendship and promoting cultural exchange and tourism between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

Pho - Photo 2.

The event attracted a large number of guests, including ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic agencies, international organizations, leaders of ministries and departments, businesses, and Bulgarian media. This was the first time Vietnamese Pho Day was held in Bulgaria. - Photo: Organizing Committee

Pho is a "masterpiece".

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet shared that pho is not just a simple dish; for many Vietnamese people, it is also the taste of home, a childhood memory, and a culinary symbol.

"The aroma of pho greets us early in the mornings on every street in Vietnam and accompanies us wherever Vietnamese communities settle around the world ," the Ambassador said.

According to Ms. Minh Nguyet, pho, though seemingly simple, requires patience and harmony in every step of the preparation process.

She commented: "Pho isn't a difficult dish to prepare, but behind that simplicity lies a masterpiece of balance and patience."

From the broth and herbs to the noodles, each element is humble, yet when combined, they create a distinctive and unforgettable flavor.

The ambassador put it this way, "pho represents the essence of Vietnamese culture: harmony, sophistication, and respect for natural ingredients, combined with creativity and diversity forged over centuries of history."

And "no matter where you are, when you enjoy a bowl of pho, you will feel the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality."

Pho - Photo 3.

Most guests who tried pho for the first time expressed surprise at its flavor - Photo: Organizing Committee

Impressed by the health benefits of Vietnamese pho.

According to the organizers, the highlight of the event will be a demonstration of the preparation process and a tasting of beef pho prepared by chefs from Thang Long restaurant, following the authentic Hanoi style.

Guests were particularly delighted to witness firsthand the exquisite and harmonious presentation of the ingredients, showcasing their colors and flavors.

Kristina Teneva, director of Novinata.bg, said this was her first time having the opportunity to taste Vietnamese pho.

"I was particularly impressed not only by the delicious taste but also by the healthiness of the dish. Personally, I'm usually very careful when choosing ingredients for my food, and I found the ingredients and the way the pho was prepared to be very natural and good for health," she said.

Kristina Teneva added that she was also very impressed with the harmonious flavors of the pho broth. "I'm very happy to know that there's a Vietnamese restaurant in Sofia so I can have the opportunity to enjoy this dish more often," she stated.

The 9th annual Pho Day program, themed "Elevating Vietnamese Rice - Spreading Across Five Continents," will take place over two days, December 13th and 14th, at the former Tax Department Store area, 135 Nguyen Hue Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

The program features nearly 30 famous and unique pho brands from North to South Vietnam, showcasing a diverse range of pho dishes reflecting the characteristics of different regions and local cultures.

With a price of 40,000 VND per bowl, the Pho Day festival on December 12, 2025, is expected to serve more than 20,000 servings over two days. The organizers will donate at least 10% of the pho sales revenue to the "Pho of Love" program, cooking and serving pho to people in the flood-stricken areas of Dak Lak province (formerly Phu Yen), which recently suffered damage from natural disasters.

The Pho Day program on December 12th is supported and coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trade Promotion Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, and the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association, with the diamond partnership of Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company for many years, and this year with the additional support of Ho Chi Minh City Development Commercial Bank (HDBank), Cholimex Food Joint Stock Company, Saigon Trading Corporation Limited (SATRA), Suntory Pepsico Beverage Company Limited, etc.

Pho is a "masterpiece".

Impressed by the health benefits of Vietnamese pho.

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