Vietnamese officials promote pho for UNESCO heritage status and showcase cuisine across Europe

Vietnam's ambassador to Austria, Vu Le Thai Hoang, opened a European tour event in Vienna that featured pho cooking demonstrations, discussions on Vietnamese culinary culture and professional exchanges between local chefs and Vietnamese artisans. The gathering drew nearly 100 participants, including Austrian government officials, diplomats from various countries and representatives of international organisations, underscoring the role of cuisine as a tool of cultural diplomacy.

The Vietnamese side highlighted that a scientific dossier is being prepared to nominate pho for inclusion on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, a move intended to elevate the dish as a national cultural brand and boost tourism and the culinary industry. The event is part of a broader push to promote Vietnamese food internationally, with similar activities reported in France, Slovakia and other European venues, and with ongoing efforts to protect and digitise Vietnam’s documentary heritage.

These initiatives aim to strengthen Vietnam’s cultural identity abroad, create market opportunities for Vietnamese food producers, and position the country’s culinary traditions within the global heritage framework.