Pho is selling out fast, many stalls are 'hanging up their pots' and waiting for the next batch of broth.

Pho is selling well; by noon on the first day, December 13th, many pho stalls had already reached their targets. Some stalls had to 'hang up their pots' and wait for a new batch of broth.

The counter at the famous Minh Pasteur pho restaurant is serving the last bowls of pho to customers - Photo: QUANG DINH

As midday approached, Pho Day (which opened on the morning of December 13th and lasted until the end of December 14th at the Tax Department Store area, 135 Nguyen Hue Street, Ho Chi Minh City) became increasingly lively. Groups of customers lined up, waiting for their turn, forcing the pho stalls to operate at full capacity.

Customers flocked to Pho Day in droves, with pho stalls operating at full capacity.

Ladlefuls of broth were constantly being scooped out, noodles were being blanched non-stop, and the atmosphere was bustling, reminiscent of the familiar early morning rush of pho restaurants.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online with a cheerful expression, his hands still busily scooping pho for customers, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Trung - owner of Phu Gia Beef Pho restaurant - said that his stall is about to serve its 500th bowl of pho.

"The organizers initially planned to serve only about 200-300 bowls each day, but at this rate, we might have finished serving 500-600 bowls by the time we pack up, far exceeding the initial target," Trung shared.

The high demand for pho has forced many restaurants to constantly refill their broth. At the Tau Bay pho stall, Ms. Tuyet sat dejectedly beside an empty pot of pho, saying that in just a short time, two pots of broth and all the meat had been gone.

The broth pot at Tau Bay pho restaurant ran dry due to an unexpected surge in customers, forcing the staff to temporarily stop selling and wait for a restock - Photo: QUANG DINH

"My pho ran out around 10 am; now there's only a little broth left at the bottom of the pot, and we're waiting for a restock," she said. Despite this, many customers still kept asking, then regretfully moved on to other stalls.

The restaurant asked the customer to return later.

Similarly, Ms. Tran Tran, owner of Pho 34 Cao Thang, said that her restaurant had already served the first pot of pho of the day. She estimated that she had served around 300 bowls, almost reaching the target set before the festival.

Besides traditional beef pho, Lang Son roast duck pho is one of the dishes that arouses curiosity among many diners in the South. From early morning, long lines of people wait to enjoy this pho at this stall.

Unlike beef pho, Lang Son roast duck pho impresses with its crispy duck skin, tender meat, rich broth, and eye-catching color. Many diners comment that the combination of pho noodles and roast duck offers a novel experience, both delicious and visually appealing. Many even buy it to take home for family and friends to enjoy.

Artisan Vi Hoa personally makes pho noodles at Pho Day - Photo: QUANG DINH

With nimble hands, Vi Hoa (38 years old) excitedly told Tuoi Tre newspaper : "I don't know how many bowls of pho we've served this morning, but we've already had to refill the broth twice. Currently, we've run out of roast duck and are waiting for more to arrive."

When asked how many portions of pho she was preparing for Pho Day, she smiled and affirmed that as long as customers were still ordering, her Lang Son-style roasted duck pho stall would continue to serve.

In another corner, Mr. Tran Ba ​​Di, owner of Minh Pasteur pho restaurant, is scooping out the last bowls of pho.

He explained that because he was busy cooking pho for his restaurant and participating in Pho Day, he couldn't replenish his stock when the pot ran out. "I had to ask the last groups of customers to come back later because I only prepare exactly 300 bowls each day," Di said.

The Pho Day 12-12 program, now in its 9th year with the theme "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 12-12 program 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...

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/pho-chay-hang-nhieu-quay-treo-noi-doi-noi-nuoc-leo-sau-20251213125150568.htm