Pho Festival 2026
The Pho Festival 2026, themed “Vietnamese Pho – A Living Heritage in the Heart of the Modern Era,” will take place from March 20th to 22nd at Thien Truong Pedestrian Street in Ninh Binh province. Prior to that, on March 19th, 2026, the event “Returning to Van Cu Village Temple, Opening a Page of Heritage” will be held at Van Cu Village Temple, considered one of the cradles of traditional pho making. This event will recreate the journey of the craft village, showcase the performances of artisans, and present rituals honoring the founders of the craft, thereby revealing the cultural depth of the heritage.
The Pho Festival 2026 brings together more than 40 exhibition spaces, offering experiences and promoting the culinary culture of pho from the three regions of Vietnam, along with many activities such as: evaluating "The Imprint of Vietnamese Pho," a forum on "Vietnamese Pho in the Flow of World Heritage," a culinary demonstration of "Three Regions' Pho Rolls," an art night called "Pho Connect," and a panel discussion on "We Love Pho – A Bridge of Heritage and a Mission to Connect Globally."
The overarching theme of the 2026 Festival is “Vietnamese Pho – A Living Heritage in the Heart of the Modern Era,” aiming to affirm that Vietnamese Pho is not just a traditional dish but a national intangible cultural heritage being preserved, passed down, and continuously developed in contemporary life. The Festival brings together over 40 spaces showcasing, experiencing, and promoting the culinary culture of Pho from all three regions of Vietnam. Within the framework of the program, there will be an assessment of “The Imprint of Vietnamese Pho,” a forum on “Vietnamese Pho in the Flow of World Heritage,” a culinary demonstration of “Three Regions' Pho Rolls,” an art night on “Pho Connect,” and a panel discussion on “We Love Pho – A Bridge of Heritage and a Mission to Connect Globally.” The activities are designed to combine demonstrations of traditional crafts, professional dialogue, and artistic performances, honoring the cultural, historical, and creative values of the community practicing this heritage.
The 2026 Pho Festival aims to honor the value of folk knowledge, highlight the role of artisans, and promote local tourism, building Ninh Binh's image as a cultural and culinary destination rich in identity. Through this event, specialized agencies hope to create more practical basis, data, and vivid evidence to serve the process of completing the heritage dossier for submission to UNESCO for recognition.