The world’s first pho museum just opened in Ho Chi Minh City

If you like pho, we’ve got news for you: Ho Chi Minh City now has the world’s first pho museum.

Yes, an entire museum dedicated to one of Vietnam’s most beloved dishes–and arguably one of the world’s most iconic noodle soups. The newly opened Pho Museum in Ben Thanh Ward celebrates the story of pho through food, history and hands-on experiences, offering visitors a deeper look into the dish that has travelled far beyond Vietnam’s borders.

The three-storey museum spans 800 square metres, and is the first private culinary museum in Vietnam licensed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports. About time, if you ask us.

Inside, visitors can explore pho’s 100-year evolution through a mix of exhibition spaces, a show kitchen, a cinema room and a souvenir area dedicated to Vietnam’s national noodle obsession.

The museum’s main draw is a guided tour lasting around 60 to 70 minutes, designed to walk visitors through the cultural and historical roots of pho before culminating in the best part: eating it.

The experience begins with exhibits tracing how pho developed across Vietnam’s three regions, featuring hundreds of artefacts, documents and visual displays that explore the dish’s ingredients, cooking methods and culinary traditions. You can expect interactive elements that help bring the stories to life, including displays that break down the components of a bowl of pho and the craftsmanship behind its broth, noodles and toppings.

The museum’s show kitchen also offers a closer look at how the dish is prepared. Plus, kids will love the interactive game area on the second floor,  alongside a cinema room screening content about pho’s cultural journey.

Naturally, a museum dedicated to pho wouldn’t be complete without a tasting. Each tour wraps up in a dining space where visitors are served a bowl of pho and a local dessert. 

Tours are priced at 750,000 VND per adult and 500,000 VND per child. So, the next time you’re in Vietnam’s food capital, carve out some time to make this ultimate pilgrimage. You can purchase tickets online. 

And while you're there, check out our list of the best restaurants to go to in Ho Chi Minh City. 

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