The unique features of Nam Dinh pho have just become an intangible cultural heritage.

Nam Dinh pho has recently been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Most diners only know about Pho Co when mentioning Nam Dinh pho. However, Nam Dinh pho is quite diverse, with many long-standing and famous pho restaurants, each with its own unique characteristics.

Nam Dinh beef pho has long been famous throughout the country. People from Nam Dinh have taken the art of making pho to provinces and cities across the country, gradually building and establishing the brand of Nam Dinh pho. Recently, Nam Dinh pho was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in the form of folk knowledge. According to the intangible cultural heritage recognition dossier, the first people to sell pho in Nam Dinh were identified as people from Van Cu village (Dong Son commune, Nam Truc district), and later, people from surrounding villages such as Giao Cu and Tay Lac also started selling pho.

Most pho restaurants in Nam Dinh specialize only in beef pho and usually don't offer other dishes. The most popular options include rare and well-done beef pho, stir-fried beef pho, and beef pho with wine sauce. Among these, the traditional Nam Dinh beef pho is rare and well-done beef pho. The owner of Co Hiep pho restaurant (Nam Dinh City) believes that the difference in Nam Dinh pho is easily recognizable. Nam Dinh pho is always rich in flavor, without the strong smell of beef, and has a distinct fish sauce aroma. In Nam Dinh, the secret family recipe for the broth contributes significantly to its unique flavor and aroma.

According to 2024 statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Nam Dinh province, the province has nearly 500 pho restaurants, with Nam Dinh city and Nam Truc district being the areas with the highest concentration of long-standing establishments. Approximately 1,500 families from these areas have moved to major cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, and many other provinces and cities nationwide (primarily major cities) to open pho restaurants and teach pho-making skills.

One of the most sought-after pho dishes in Nam Dinh is pan-fried pho. Beef is stir-fried in hot oil with garlic, vegetables, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and a little pho broth to tenderize the meat. The pho noodles are placed in a bowl, the stir-fried beef is placed on top, and the broth is poured over it. A sprinkle of scallions and cilantro is added for garnish and to enhance the aroma. Some pan-fried pho restaurants sell over 200 bowls in a single morning.

What captivates diners about stir-fried pho is the sweet broth made from bones, the soft yet chewy rice noodles, and the perfectly seasoned, tender, and sweet stir-fried beef. A resident of Nam Dinh city said that the most impressive aspect of stir-fried pho is the sweet broth and the tender noodles and beef.

Mr. Truong Quang Hai – owner of Hai Pho restaurant (Nam Dinh City) – said that to make a bowl of pan-fried pho, he has to prepare the ingredients from 4-5 am. His restaurant is bustling with customers from early morning, and especially busy between 7-8 am. “The most important secret to a delicious bowl of pho is using the right ingredients. From the pho noodles to the beef, we have to select everything very carefully. Especially to make delicious pan-fried pho, choosing and preparing the beef accounts for 80% of the success; the rest is controlling the heat and seasoning appropriately,” Mr. Truong Quang Hai explained.

Nam Dinh-style pho with char siu (barbecued pork) is starting to attract attention and demand from diners. Previously, people in Nam Dinh were accustomed to eating char siu with pho, but it was pho soup. Gradually, the dish was transformed into pho with dipping sauce. This dish has become an indispensable afternoon snack for the people of Nam Dinh.

The promotion of Nam Dinh pho is also given importance. In 2024, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism successfully organized the Pho Festival 2024 – The Vietnamese Pho Road , attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The festival attracted dozens of pho chefs and culinary experts, and brought together 50 booths from businesses and brands to showcase and promote the image and brand of Vietnamese pho from all regions of the country. On this occasion, nearly 50,000 bowls of pho were served to visitors.

Nam Dinh pho, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, is not only a source of pride for the people of Nam Dinh but also contributes to enhancing the province's brand, promoting local economic and tourism development, and creating momentum for the preservation and promotion of the cultural value of Nam Dinh pho cuisine.

To further promote the Nam Dinh pho brand and raise awareness of the importance of protecting the spiritual values ​​and significance of Nam Dinh pho, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism advises the leaders of the Nam Dinh Provincial People's Committee to promptly send a document requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider reporting to the Prime Minister to allow Nam Dinh province to cooperate in building a dossier to submit to UNESCO for inscription of pho as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity in the near future.

Tienphong.vn

Source: https://tienphong.vn/net-dac-sac-cua-pho-nam-dinh-vua-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-post1667747.tpo