Kinhtedothi - Hanoi Pho, with its distinctive flavor and unique preparation, has become a symbol of Vietnamese culinary quintessence. When listed as a heritage, Pho shines even brighter as a living symbol of Vietnamese culture.
In 2023, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and in coordination with the People's Committees of districts, towns and the host community will develop a scientific dossier to propose inclusion in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. With its historical, cultural and scientific values, "Pho Hanoi" has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2024 in Decision No. 2328/QD-BVHTTDL dated August 9, 2024 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Reporter of Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education about the meaning and benefits of "Pho Ha Noi" being listed.
Affirming the value and importance of traditional cuisine
Sir, what does the inclusion of Hanoi folk knowledge pho in the list of national intangible cultural heritage mean for Hanoi cuisine and the country?
Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism listed the folk knowledge of pho - the quintessential dish of Hanoi cuisine - as a national intangible cultural heritage, which has profound significance, not only for the capital but also for the whole country of Vietnam. This is not only a recognition of the cultural and historical values of a dish, but also an affirmation of the importance of preserving and promoting national heritage in the context of globalization. Hanoi pho, with its distinctive flavor and unique preparation, has become a symbol of the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. When listed as a heritage, pho shines even brighter as a living symbol of Vietnamese culture, a special mark in the hearts of every Vietnamese person and international visitor.
Registering "Pho Hanoi" is not only to honor traditional values, but also to invite international friends to come to the capital, to Vietnam, to feel and love the unique culture here. Each bowl of pho is not only a dish, but also a story about the history of the ingenuity and creativity of the Vietnamese people. This contributes to making tourists when enjoying pho not only feel the rich flavor, but also understand more deeply about the culture and people of Vietnam.
Economic & Urban Newspaper has created a column called "Quintessence of Hanoi Cuisine", coordinated by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, and accompanied by Acecook Vietnam.
Not only that, the recognition of the folk knowledge of "Pho Hanoi" as an intangible cultural heritage also opens up opportunities for strong development for the tourism industry and the capital's economy. Traditional pho restaurants and famous pho brands such as Pho No. 10 Ly Quoc Su, Pho Thin, Pho Bat Dan, etc. will have more motivation to preserve and develop this dish, thereby creating more job opportunities and improving people's lives.
More importantly, registering "Pho Hanoi" is also about preserving a part of the nation's soul, ensuring that traditional values continue to be passed on to future generations. The journey of preserving Pho is a journey of pride and responsibility, a connection between the past and the present, between heritage and the future.
Could you tell us how the inclusion of "Pho Hanoi" in the list of national intangible cultural heritage will impact the preservation and development of traditional culinary culture in the future?
The registration of the folk knowledge of "Pho Hanoi" into the list of national intangible cultural heritage will create profound and positive impacts on the preservation and development of traditional culinary culture in the future.
First of all, this recognition affirms the value and importance of traditional cuisine in the diverse cultural picture of Vietnam. When Hanoi Pho - a familiar but quintessential dish is honored, it is not only a source of pride for the people but also a reminder of the responsibility to preserve and protect long-standing cultural values, promote community awareness in preserving traditional dishes, and ensure that processing techniques and secrets are passed down and not lost.
The recognition of pho also creates a strong motivation for chefs, culinary artists and businesses to continuously improve the quality and preserve the traditional flavor. When pho is recognized as a cultural heritage, it carries a great responsibility - the responsibility to maintain standards and respect the original values. This helps ensure that pho will not be distorted or over-commercialized, but still retain the soul of Vietnamese cuisine through each hot bowl of pho.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Pho in the list also opens up many opportunities for research and innovation in the culinary field. Younger generations will have the opportunity to learn and research more deeply about this dish, thereby developing new innovations based on the traditional foundation. This not only helps preserve Pho but also promotes the rich and diverse development of Vietnamese culinary culture in the future.
In addition, the inclusion of "Pho Hanoi" in the list of national intangible cultural heritages plays an important role in promoting Vietnamese culture to the world. Pho is not only a dish, but also a cultural ambassador, carrying the story of Vietnamese people, history and culture. This recognition will increase the interest of international tourists in Vietnamese cuisine, thereby creating deeper cultural connections and contributing to the preservation of traditional values in the context of global integration.
Preserving the flavor, conveying the essence
So , how can restaurants and pho shops in Hanoi benefit from being listed as a national intangible cultural heritage , sir?
The inclusion of Hanoi’s pho in the national intangible cultural heritage list opens up special opportunities for pho restaurants and shops in the city. This is not only the recognition of a dish, but also a ticket for pho shops to enter a new journey, where they can glorify the nation’s culinary heritage.
This recognition is a strong reminder and motivation for pho restaurants to continuously improve the quality of their dishes, preserve traditional flavors, and fully convey the cultural quintessence through each bowl of pho. Taking care of each step, from choosing ingredients, preparing broth to presentation, will become a mission, a journey to protect and promote the value of heritage.
Not only serving delicious food, pho restaurants also have the opportunity to become cultural experience spaces, where diners can not only enjoy great flavors but also feel a part of the Vietnamese soul, a part of rich history and tradition.
Registering Pho not only brings economic benefits but also the responsibility and pride of those who preserve the heritage. Each Pho restaurant can become a cultural ambassador, bringing the story of Hanoi cuisine far and wide, connecting not only with the local community but also with international friends. Through that, they are not only selling a dish, but also contributing to continuing the story of Pho, of Hanoi, of Vietnam with pride and deep love.
This is the time for Hanoi’s pho restaurants and eateries to shine, becoming must-visit destinations for anyone who wants to understand and love Vietnamese culture. Every bowl of pho is now not just a dish, but a part of the heritage, an invitation to come and experience, to come and love Hanoi, to love the country and people of Vietnam.
Could you tell us how this recognition will impact the promotion of Hanoi pho in particular and Vietnamese culinary culture in general to the world?
The recognition of Hanoi pho as a national intangible cultural heritage will have a huge impact on promoting pho in particular and Vietnamese culinary culture in general to the world.
First of all, Hanoi pho, with its new title, will become a prominent culinary cultural symbol of Vietnam on the international culinary map. When pho is honored, not only the people in the country but also the international community will pay more attention to this dish. Pho is no longer just an ordinary dish; it becomes a symbol of Vietnamese culinary quintessence, a representative of national flavor and identity. This will increase the interest and curiosity of international tourists, encouraging them to come to Vietnam to experience this dish right where it was born.
This recognition also creates a strong push to promote pho and Vietnamese cuisine on international media platforms. Stories about pho will be spread more widely, from newspapers, television to social networks, making pho an interesting topic that everyone wants to explore. Images of hot, fragrant Hanoi pho will appear more in famous culinary magazines, on television programs and global culinary events, highlighting the cultural value and culinary art of Vietnam.
Moreover, this recognition also creates conditions for Vietnamese chefs, who have a love and passion for traditional cuisine, to have more motivation to create and introduce pho and other Vietnamese dishes to the world. From high-end restaurants to street food chains, Hanoi pho will have the opportunity to appear more in major cities around the world, bringing international diners an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience.
In addition, the recognition of Hanoi pho as an intangible cultural heritage also contributes to strengthening the position of Vietnamese cuisine in the international arena. Vietnam will be known not only as a country with a long history and beautiful natural scenery, but also as a destination with a rich and unique culinary culture. Pho, along with other traditional dishes, will become a cultural bridge, connecting Vietnam with the world, spreading love and admiration for Vietnamese culinary culture.
Thus, I believe that this recognition is not only an important turning point in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, but also opens the door for Vietnam to continue to shine on the world culinary map, with Hanoi pho as the leading flag, leading the way for Vietnamese cuisine to reach further.
Thank you!
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/pho-ha-noi-bieu-tuong-van-hoa-am-thuc-cua-viet-nam.html
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