Japan Hosts 2023 Vietnam Pho Festival

Today marks the start of the Vietnam Phở Festival 2023 in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, beginning at 11am local time. This two-day event is sure to bring delight to all pho lovers, with the enticing aroma of the popular Vietnamese noodle dish filling the air over the weekend.

Administrator

15 October, 2023

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The Vietnam Pho Festival 2023, held at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on October 7, marked a significant milestone in celebrating the seventh edition of the ‘Day of Pho’ (December 12). The event aimed to enhance the global recognition of Vietnamese culinary culture, particularly the country’s popular beef noodle soup, pho. It also commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

During the opening ceremony, Le The Chu, the Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper, expressed the organizers’ long-standing plan to hold a pho event abroad, with Japan being a top priority. The festival featured famous pho chefs from Vietnam who answered questions about the uniqueness of Vietnamese pho, its significance as a national dish, and its similarities to Japanese ramen noodles.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Pham Quang Hieu, expressed his pride in participating in the festival, recognizing the role of culinary festivals in promoting cultural exchange and closer relationships between countries. Aoyagi Yoichiro, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, and Chief Representative of Japan’s Komeito party, Yamaguchi Natsuo, also attended the event, affirming their belief that the festival would deepen the relationship between Vietnam and Japan.

The Vietnam Pho Festival 2023 was co-hosted by Tuoi Tre and Saigontourist Group, with support from the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, and Japanese partners. The festival showcased famous pho brands from Vietnam and winners of the ‘Hoa Hoi Vang’ (Golden Star Anise) awards. The chefs prepared 170 kilograms of beef bones and 150 kilograms of beef to serve thousands of pho bowls to event-goers.

Le The Chu, the editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre, emphasized the event’s aim to promote Vietnamese cultural values, connect with other cultures, and showcase Vietnam’s economic potential to the Japanese people. The festival also provided opportunities for Vietnamese people and businesses to explore the cuisine, culture, and business opportunities in Japan, contributing to cultural exchange, cohesion, and economic relations between the two countries.

The Vietnam Pho Festival 2023 was attended by ambassadors such as Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc and Vietnam’s top swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien. The event attracted a large number of visitors who had the chance to enjoy pho and explore various booths at Yoyogi Park.