The programme is organised by Saigontourist Group, cooperates with Tuoi Tre newspaper, Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association - Ho Chi Minh City. The festival is expected to welcome 100,000 visitors.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, Deputy Head of the Program Organising Board, representative of Saigontourist Group discussed at the press conference on 28th September (Photo: Saigontourist Group)

At the event, a Vietnamese-Japanesepho expert will share, interact and instruct how to prepare pho noodles. Next is the presentation of the documentary "100-year journey of Vietnamese pho", the first P1 (P-One) Grand Prix contest and the contest of Japanese people creating Vietnamese pho. In addition, the festival also has exchange programmes and art performances by Vietnamese and Japanese artists.

Mr. Tran Xuan Toan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association - Ho Chi Minh City, head of the organising board, said that this is the first time famous pho artisans and chefs in Vietnam bring quintessential flavours to Japan.

The culinary cultural space of the Vietnam Phở Festival 2023 has a scale of about 45 booths, with the participation of famous Vietnamese pho and culinary brands such as: Pho Dau, Pho Thin, Pho Phu Gia, Pho Hai Thien, Pho Sam Ngoc Linh, Pho of Majestic Saigon Hotel, Pho of Grand Saigon Hotel, Pho of Thu Duc Golf Restaurant…

The programme also combines music performances and cultural and artistic exchanges with the participation of singers Hien Thuc, Hamlet Truong, Miss Intercontinental Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc and Japanese artists such as Japanese - Vietnamese actress Phuong Chi, music groups Dear Kiss, Finally, Mamma Goat, Yukids, singer Rayi – YanTD…

Majestic Saigon serving beef pho at the festival (Photo: Saigontourist Group)

Saigontourist Group is present with 3 member units, including 5-star hotels Majestic Saigon, Grand Saigon and Golf Thu Duc restaurant at Vietnam Phở Festival 2023 in Japan. Besides the original flavour of pho, the units also selectively introduce delicious Vietnamese dishes, suitable for the tastes of international diners.

During the two days of the event, at Saigontourist Group's booths in Yoyogi Park, chefs from Majestic Saigon will introduce a collection of 5 pho flavours: beef, chicken, sauteed beef, sauteed seafood and grilled meat rolls.

In addition to pho, Saigontourist Group's booth also introduces many Vietnamese dishes such as Ha Noi bun cha (Photo: Saigontourist Group)

Meanwhile, Grand Saigon offers regional specialties, including spring rolls, grilled meat vermicelli, banh khot and Saigon banh mi. Thu Duc Golf Restaurant only focuses on serving beef pho, chicken pho and Ha Noi bun cha. Chefs from Saigontourist Group will also demonstrate pho preparation to Japanese diners.

Also within the framework of the event, Saigontourist Group organises interactive games, lucky spins to receive gifts, and free colouring for children during the hours of 9-11 a.m., 4-6 p.m. daily.

Accompanying the event, Saigontourist Group wants to contribute more flavours to the rich 'harmony' of Vietnamese pho, as well as contribute to promoting Vietnamese cuisine to the world. Thereby creating a highlight to attract more Japanese tourists to Vietnam, said Mr. Pham Huy Binh - Chairman of Saigontourist Group, co-head of the programme steering board.

Vietnam Phở Festival 2023 is organised to celebrate 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan; contributing to promoting Vietnam as one of 24 countries introduced by the Japanese government as safe and attractive tourist destinations for tourists in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period.

The festival takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 7-8 October, the opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on 7 October, visitors are free to enter.

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