Second from left, Mr. Desmond Choo, Minister of State of the Ministry of Defence of Singapore, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper Le The Chu, and guests at the opening ceremony of Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 sent their congratulations on the success of the festival - Photo: HUU HANH
The organizers and guests cut the ribbon to open the 2025 Vietnamese Pho Festival, officially marking the journey to bring the flavor of Vietnamese pho to the lion island nation of Singapore - Photo: HUU HANH
Singaporean and Vietnamese guests and the organizers of Vietnam Pho Festival enjoyed Vietnamese pho after the opening ceremony - Photo: HUU HANH
Singaporean and Vietnamese officials visit the Banh Mi Society booth at the Vietnam Pho Festival - Photo: HUU HANH
Mr. Desmond Choo - Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence of Singapore - emphasized "a bowl of pho connects us" in his speech.
The trip is not complete without enjoying delicious pho.
According to Mr. Choo, pho is not just a favorite dish. Each bowl of pho tells a story about family, tradition, perseverance and the spirit of overcoming difficulties.
Pho is the embodiment of Vietnamese culture - nourishing both body and soul, and from simple things, pho has become a bridge bringing people closer together, overcoming all borders.
Mr. Desmond Choo - Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence of Singapore expressed his personal love for Vietnamese pho - Photo: HUU HANH
Mr Desmond Choo said each bowl of pho tells a story of sophistication, patience and pride. The warm taste of the broth always reminds me of the friendliness and hospitality of the Vietnamese people - who always make me feel at home.
This year's festival comes just months after Singapore and Vietnam upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level of cooperation between the two countries.
Today, the Vietnam-Singapore Investment - Trade - Tourism Promotion Forum will gather 150 businesses to discuss cooperation opportunities in green logistics, tourism, aviation, agriculture and e-commerce.
Mr. Desmond Choo believes that "these are practical forms of cooperation that the comprehensive strategic partnership framework aims for, turning friendship into opportunities, turning ideas into real growth".
Mr. Choo added that this year's festival theme "Pho - Enjoying together, growing together" truly reflects the spirit of friendship between the two countries.
It is a friendship based on mutual respect, a shared desire to grow and the belief that as we understand each other better, we will become stronger together. Vietnam Pho Festival today is the embodiment of the spirit of solidarity - where we come together to celebrate friendship through cuisine , culture and cooperation."
Why can just one bowl of pho tell the whole story of Vietnam?
The 2025 Vietnam Pho Festival will contribute to enriching the connection
Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh shared that pho is a symbolic dish and pride of Vietnamese people.
This year’s festival takes place at Singapore’s largest integrated community complex - Our Tampines Hub. We can feel the cultural exchange, the similarity of values, and the complementarity of the two economies.
Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh emphasized that after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", many exciting activities in politics, economics, national defense and security, trade and investment, innovation and people-to-people exchange have been carried out in recent times.
"In that flow, cultural diplomacy - including cuisine - plays an important bridging role in helping to increase understanding, create empathy and connection between the people of the two countries," he assessed.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh said that each event like this not only helps Singaporean friends understand more about Vietnam, promote people-to-people exchanges, but also helps the Vietnamese community in Singapore become more proud of their roots and more attached to their homeland - Photo: HUU HANH
The Ambassador believes that "The 2025 Vietnam Pho Festival will contribute to enriching that connection, not only through the rich flavor of pho, but also through the warm friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Singapore."
According to him, each event like this not only helps Singaporean friends understand more about Vietnam and promote people-to-people exchange, but also helps the Vietnamese community in Singapore become more proud of their roots and more attached to their homeland.
Vietnam Pho Festival is a comprehensive tourism promotion strategy
Mr. Pham Huy Binh - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, co-head of the steering committee of Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 - shared that choosing Singapore as the destination this time not only demonstrates the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, but also affirms the importance of this tourism market to Vietnam.
According to Mr. Binh, Ho Chi Minh City always aims to develop sustainable tourism, in which cuisine plays a key role. Cuisine is the fastest and most authentic way for international visitors to feel the cultural quintessence, creativity and hospitality of the Vietnamese people.
Mr. Pham Huy Binh - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, co-head of the steering committee of Vietnam Pho Festival 2025
The department representative also shared that Singapore is currently one of the most important tourist markets of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
According to him, the flavor of pho will be a strong catalyst, urging Singaporean tourists to plan a trip to explore Vietnam, including dynamic and creative Ho Chi Minh City, where tourists can enjoy high-class accommodation, cuisine, entertainment and travel services from the Saigontourist Group system and other famous brands.
Every bowl of pho tells a story about Vietnam.
In his opening speech, Tuoi Tre Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Le The Chu shared that Vietnam Pho Festival "is a special event not only because the flavor of Vietnamese pho spreads in the heart of Singapore, but also because its meaning goes beyond a culinary festival, becoming a symbol of cultural exchange, cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Singapore."
For Vietnamese people, pho is not only a dish, but also a common language of love, sharing and hospitality.
Tuoi Tre Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Le The Chu delivered the opening speech at the Vietnam Pho Festival - Photo: HUU HANH
According to Mr. Le The Chu, this year's festival takes place in the context of Vietnam and Singapore upgrading their relationship to "comprehensive strategic partnership" in March this year. Therefore, the festival in Singapore has also become a meaningful cultural diplomatic activity, contributing to deepening the cooperative relationship between the two countries - not only through economic agreements, but also through understanding and connection from heart to heart.
"Pho, in its role as a 'soft cultural ambassador', has become a bridge between the people of the two countries, to 'enjoy together, growing together'," he said.
Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 will contribute to promoting two-way tourism
Saigontourist Group Deputy General Director Vo Anh Tai said, continuing the series of Vietnamese Pho Festivals abroad in Japan (2023) and South Korea (2024), "Today, we are very proud that the festival is present in Singapore, one of the leading economic, cultural and tourism centers of Asia."
This festival is not only a place to enjoy delicious bowls of pho, but also an important cultural bridge.
Mr. Tai assessed Singapore as one of Vietnam's leading important economic partners and a potential international tourist market for Vietnam tourism.
Saigontourist Group Deputy General Director Vo Anh Tai believes that Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 is an important cultural bridge - Photo: HUU HANH
According to this representative, with efforts to promote trade and tourism, Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 will contribute to promoting two-way tourism, attracting more and more Singaporean tourists to Vietnam, to explore beautiful landscapes, experience high-class tourism services and enjoy the warmth of Vietnamese people.
Ms. Tran Thanh Nga (born in 1980, from Soc Son, Hanoi) came to Singapore 6 years ago and works in the coffee business.
After checking in at the event, Ms. Nga said she had to enjoy a bowl of pho to satisfy her stomach - Photo: DAU DUNG
This morning, she wore a beautiful ao dai and a conical hat with the words Soc Son printed on it to check in at the Vietnam Pho Festival and show off to her friends, inviting everyone to "come to my hometown in Singapore".
Ms. Nga said that she is a person who really loves pho as well as Vietnamese food. In Singapore, there are many Vietnamese restaurants but the taste is not as good as eating at home, but sometimes when she really craves it, she "eats it for a while".
Today, coming to the Vietnamese Pho Festival in Singapore, she "had to enjoy a bowl of authentic Vietnamese pho to satisfy her stomach". "Thank you to the organizers for bringing our homeland dishes here to satisfy the Vietnamese people", Ms. Nga said.
Consular delegations from countries in Singapore attend Vietnam Pho Festival - Photo: HUU HANH
Attending the opening ceremony of Vietnam Pho Festival on the Singapore side were Mr. Desmond Choo - Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence of Singapore; Ms. Bok Pit Zee - General Manager (North East Community Development Council) - People's Association (executive director of the North East Community Development Council, People's Association).
On the Vietnamese side, there were Tran Phuoc Anh, Ambassador of Vietnam in Singapore; Counselor Cao Xuan Thang - Head of Trade Office - Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore; Counselor Thai Thu Phuong - Counselor for Investment Promotion - Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore; Mr. Pham Huy Binh - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Co-Head of the Steering Committee of the Vietnam Pho Festival in Singapore 2025; Deputy Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union Nguyen Minh Son.
With representatives of co-organizing units and coordinating units: Mr. Vo Anh Tai - Deputy General Director of Saigon Tourist Corporation - Saigontourist Group, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat - General Director of Saigon Fair and Exhibition Joint Venture Company, co-head of the festival organizing committee; Mr. Nguyen Huu Y Yen - Chairman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Travel Service Company; Head of the Vietnamese Liaison Committee in Singapore Ta Thi Lien; Director of Rex Saigon Hotel Chau Hoang Nhut; Deputy General Director of Chains Caravelle Hotel Lam Quang Huy.
A team of Vietnamese volunteers in Singapore came to participate and support the Vietnam Pho Festival, opening with exciting performances - Photo: HUU HANH
Vietnamese volunteer team in Singapore came to participate and support Vietnam Pho Festival - Photo: HUU HANH
Singaporean artist performs Vietnamese traditional musical instruments to celebrate the Vietnamese Pho festival in Singapore - Photo: HUU HANH
The family of Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh arrived early to the Vietnam Pho Festival. Ai Nhi, the Ambassador's daughter, said she was looking forward to enjoying the "authentic" pho dishes cooked by Vietnamese chefs.
Nhi has been in Singapore for a year, but has yet to find a pho restaurant that has the taste of home. "It's been a long time since I've tasted the taste of pho from home," Nhi said excitedly.
Nhi came with her younger brother Phuc An, her grandmother, and her uncle Hung. The family shared that the whole family visited Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh and on this occasion also came to participate in the Vietnam Pho Festival 2025. Everyone in the family was very excited to enjoy pho, and on this occasion, they were able to choose the pho flavor of their choice.
The family of Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh visited Vietnam Pho Festival - Photo: HUU HANH
Pho Ngoc Vuong - Hanoi's traditional pho brand - said it has prepared thousands of bowls of pho to welcome guests - Photo: HUU HANH
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Diem, one of the enthusiastic volunteers of Vietnam Pho Festival 2025, said that she learned about the program through the Vietnamese Liaison Committee in Singapore, so she signed up to support to contribute to promoting Vietnamese pho and also to enjoy the taste of her hometown pho.
Ms. Diem has lived in Singapore for 5 years, has a Singaporean husband, and she also often cooks pho and other Vietnamese dishes for her family.
"I am from the North, I am very proud of Northern pho, coming to the program I really hope to contribute to bringing Vietnamese cuisine to Singaporean people," said Ms. Diem.
Pho stalls are ready before G-hour - Photo: HUU HANH
Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 in Singapore is organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, Tuoi Tre Newspaper and Saigon Tourist Corporation - Saigontourist Group in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese Liaison Committee in Singapore under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, taking place on October 18 and 19 at Our Tampines Hub, the largest community center in Singapore.
The festival was held in the context of Vietnam and Singapore upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, affirming the program's significance and stature.
With the message "Pho - Enjoying together, growing together", Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 hopes that the event will not only invite international friends to enjoy a typical Vietnamese dish, which was listed by CNN in the list of 50 must-try dishes worldwide in 2011, but also convey the desire to connect - share - accompany the development of Vietnam.
Through the festival, pho will be introduced as a "cultural ambassador", opening up opportunities for businesses, communities and countries to develop together, and together seek new paths of cooperation - from culture, tourism, to trade and investment.
Tuoi Tre Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Le The Chu talks with Pho Phu Gia representative before the event begins - Photo: HUU HANH
Pho Ta stall - Binh Tay Food has started welcoming its first customers - Photo: HUU HANH
Traditional pho brand and 5-star hotel check in Vietnam Pho Festival in Singapore
One of the highlights of the festival is to give Singaporeans and tourists the opportunity to enjoy the "authentic" taste of Vietnamese pho.
At Our Tampines Hub, attendees will enjoy pho prepared by top artisans and chefs from Vietnam.
The main chefs of the 5-star hotels in the Saigontourist Group system, including four luxury hotels Rex Saigon, Majestic Saigon, Grand Saigon, Caravelle Saigon and the brand Pho Thu Duc Golf Restaurant (Vietnam Golf & Country Club), along with famous pho brands such as Pho Thin (Bo Ho), Pho Ta, Pho Phu Gia, Pho Vuong, Pho Hai Thien, Pho Khoe, Pho Sen Sasco... will bring diversity in cooking methods and ways of enjoying.
In addition to pho, attendees also have the opportunity to enjoy many other traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Hue beef noodle soup, grilled chicken rice, banh mi, beef spring roll noodle soup, spring roll noodle soup, crispy seafood pho, seafood pho, beef rib pho, stir-fried pho, etc.
Vietnam Pho Festival 2025: When Vietnamese pho flavor becomes a 'cultural ambassador' in Singapore
Chefs prepare for the 2-day Vietnam Pho Festival in Singapore - Photo: HUU HANH
Within the framework of the event, there are many rich activities such as exhibition of pho history, experience of trying on ao dai, ao ba ba, conical hat, display of images, products and unique tourism services of Vietnam.
In addition, there were performances of Vietnamese traditional musical instruments such as zither, bamboo flute, and drum, combined with modern exchange performances. Interspersed were some performances from Singapore, increasing the connection and diversity.
In particular, the Vietnam - Singapore Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum 2025, taking place right after the opening ceremony, is expected to attract about 150 businesses from both countries to participate.
At the forum, management agencies and businesses will discuss new cooperation trends in green processing and logistics, tourism and aviation services, import and export of Vietnamese agricultural products and specialties, digital transformation and e-commerce.
The Business Matching program (1-1 business connection) will create conditions for Vietnamese and Singaporean businesses to meet directly and seek practical cooperation opportunities.
Vietnam Pho Festival is a big event originating from Pho Day 12-12, initiated in 2017 in Vietnam.
By 2023, the program will be brought abroad under the name Vietnam Pho Festival. Pho Day and Vietnam Pho Festival are programs organized into a series of events with many consecutive activities.
The program has become an annual culinary culture promotion activity, contributing to bringing Vietnamese pho and the country's image to the world, while introducing tourism and economic potential and promoting cultural exchange.
After the milestones in Japan (2023) and Korea (2024), the destination in 2025 is Singapore - the regional trading center.
Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 in Singapore
Connecting cultures, promoting cooperation
Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 in Singapore, organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, Tuoi Tre Newspaper and Saigon Tourist Group in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, the Liaison Committee of Vietnamese in Singapore under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, will take place on October 18 and 19 at Our Tampines Hub, Singapore.
The festival was held in the context of Vietnam and Singapore upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, affirming the program's significance and stature.
With the message "Pho - Enjoying together, growing together", Vietnam Pho Festival 2025 hopes that the event will not only invite international friends to enjoy a typical Vietnamese dish, which was listed by CNN in the list of 50 must-try dishes worldwide in 2011, but also convey the desire to connect - share - accompany the development of Vietnam.
Through the festival, Pho will be introduced as a "cultural ambassador", serving as a bridge for Vietnam and Singapore, as well as international friends, to work together towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
The most important activity of the festival is to bring Singaporeans and tourists the opportunity to enjoy the "authentic" taste of Vietnamese pho. At Our Tampines Hub, attendees will be able to enjoy pho prepared directly by top artisans and chefs from Vietnam.
The main chefs of the 5-star hotels in the Saigontourist Group system, including four luxury hotels Rex Saigon, Majestic Saigon, Grand Saigon, Caravelle Saigon and the brand Pho Thu Duc Golf Restaurant (Vietnam Golf & Country Club), along with famous pho brands such as Pho Thin Bo Ho, Pho Ta, Pho Phu Gia, Pho Vuong, Ba Ban Pho... will bring diversity in cooking methods and ways of enjoying.
In addition to pho, attendees also have the opportunity to enjoy many other traditional Vietnamese dishes, prepared by Saigon Tourist's 5-star chefs, creating a vibrant "culinary symphony".
In particular, along with the Pho festival, a large-scale investment forum was also held, namely the Vietnam - Singapore Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum 2025, affirming the substance of the event. The forum took place right after the opening ceremony (morning of October 18), expected to attract about 150 businesses from both countries to participate.
At the forum, management agencies and businesses will discuss new cooperation trends in green processing and logistics, tourism and aviation services, import and export of Vietnamese agricultural products and specialties, digital transformation and e-commerce.
In particular, the Business Matching program (1-1 business connection) will create conditions for Vietnamese and Singaporean businesses to meet directly and seek practical cooperation opportunities.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quoc-vu-khanh-bo-quoc-phong-singapore-chuyen-di-chua-tron-ven-neu-toi-chua-thuong-thuc-to-pho-ngon-20251018070434134.htm
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