The Pho Museum is estimated to welcome between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors per day. (Photo: H.T/VOV)

The Pho Museum aims to preserve and promote Vietnamese culinary culture to domestic and international visitors. A tour of the 800-square-meter, 3-floor museum takes 60 to 75 minutes.

“Our target audience includes anyone interested in cuisine or cultural heritage. We focus particularly on inbound international tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City who are seeking a distinctive cultural experience,” Nguyen Que Anh, the museum’s co-founder, told VOV. 

The tour guides guests through historical contexts, cultural spaces, and social life, before tracing Pho’s journey onto the global stage. On the second floor, the story of Pho is told through a film presentation. The third floor showcases 200 artifacts, documents, installation artworks, and modern interactive displays highlighting Pho in Vietnam’s northern, central, and southern regions, and the dish’s role in history.

Many of the exhibits, including works made from Lego bricks and wool, were created by young artists. From street Pho carts and dictionary pages defining the word “pho” to stone grinders, cooking pots, and star anise, the displays depict the culture in vivid detail.

Le Nhat Thanh, the museum’s Director, said that, to ensure regularly updated content and an improved visitor experience, the museum will conduct annual research to develop new themes related to Pho and Vietnamese culinary culture.

“Japan has ramen museums, which inspired us to ask why Pho didn’t yet have a museum of similar stature. International tourists are a key audience for our cultural values. At the same time, Pho lovers can gain deeper insights into this dish,” said Thanh.

The Pho offered at the museum features fresh noodles, rare beef, brisket, fatty brisket, tendon, and beef balls, served with a side of ribs.

“Very gently integrated, the cultural storytelling explains how Pho began and why it represents the Vietnamese people. The broth is clear, and the noodles are translucent. The flavor blends northern and southern styles. Visiting the museum allowed me to learn about the culture while enjoying an authentic bowl of Vietnamese Pho,” visitor Kim Tuyen said.m

The museum, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., welcomes between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors per day. An all-inclusive ticket covers the guided tour, a bowl of pho, and a souvenir.

The Pho Museum, a new tourism highlight of Ho Chi Minh City, brings together history, cuisine, and art to celebrate Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage.