Vietnam Just Unveiled Its First Ever Museum Dedicated To The History Of Phở

If you’re a phở-fanatic, we’ve got news for you.

A newly opened museum in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, in the Ben Thanh Ward area, is solely dedicated to chronicling the 100-year-long history of phở, through storytelling, food, and hands-on tactile experiences. As a Vietnamese favourite and a world-famous noodle soup that stands as a symbol of the country, phở is barely just a dish—it’s Vietnam’s history in a bowl. And that is exactly what the museum seeks to portray.

Spanning over 800 sq. metres and spread over three storeys, this is the first private culinary museum in Vietnam, licensed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports. Opened to audiences earlier this year, this museum offers history with a side of gastronomy. 

Everything You Can Experience At The Museum

Visitors are brought face-to-face with an immersive, first-hand look at the 100-year-long evolution of this noodle soup, complete with exhibition spaces, a cinema room, a demonstration kitchen, and a souvenir area dedicated to Vietnam’s national food obsession. 

The primary experience is a 70-minute walkthrough that takes you through the cultural, culinary, and geographical history of phở, culminating in what might be the best part: a gastronomic meal featuring the star of the show, paired with a local dessert.

Details On The Tours

The itinerary kicks off with exhibits that trace phở’s evolution across Vietnam’s three regions, starting with a walkthrough among a mix of artefacts, documents, and visual displays. These dive into everything from ingredients and cooking techniques to the traditions that have shaped phở over time. Interactive elements also add to the experience, breaking down exactly what constitutes a bowl of phở. From its broth and noodles to its toppings, the show kitchen offers a closer look at how it all comes together. There is more to explore, including a cinema room screening films on the cultural journey of phở. 

And because a food museum would be criminal without the actual food, each tour ends with a soup tasting. Interestingly, gastronomic museums have recently become a novelty across the world, offering history with a side of good food. Being the first in Vietnam, this museum hints at the start of something fascinatingly new. 

A Bit On Phở

Phở originated in Northern Vietnam in the early 1900s, starting in Hanoi before spreading southwards. Today, it’s probably the most iconic Vietnamese dish worldwide. 

At its core, phở is a clear, slow-cooked broth served over flat rice noodles, usually with beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). The broth stands out because it’s flavoured with spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and charred ginger and onion, which give it a warm, nutty, slightly sweet taste—unlike a traditional noodle soup. Each bowl is topped with fresh herbs, lime, and other condiments, so diners can adjust the flavours to their liking.

The Information

Address: 211 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Bến Thành Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Timings: Monday to Sunday (9 am–9 pm)

Price: 750,000 VND per adult: approx. INR 2,630 & 500,000 VND per child: approx. INR 1,754

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