HO CHI MINH CITY – The rich aroma of star anise, cinnamon, and simmering broth is set to waft through Singapore next month as the annual Vietnam Pho Festival makes its debut in the city-state. The global event, designed to celebrate and promote the pinnacle of Vietnamese cuisine, will take place from October 18-19 at the vibrant community and lifestyle hub, Our Tampines Hub.
 |
| The press briefing held on Friday in HCM City to announce the Vietnam Phở Festival 2025 that will take place from October 18 to 19 in Singapore. — VNS Photo |
Under the theme “Pho - Savor Together, Grow Together,” the festival aims to do more than just serve a delicious bowl of noodles; it seeks to showcase the essence of Vietnamese culinary arts, foster cultural exchange, and strengthen the ever-growing economic ties between Vietnam and Singapore.
The event is a significant collaborative effort, jointly organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, the Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore, and Saigontourist Group, with support from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade and the Vietnamese Community Liaison Board in Singapore.
A Culinary Ambassador on a Global Tour
At its heart, the festival is a celebration of Pho, Vietnam's most iconic dish. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Le The Chu, Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper, described the noodle soup as a long-standing culinary and cultural ambassador for Vietnam.
"Following tremendous successes in Japan in 2023 and South Korea in 2024, this year's event in Singapore continues our mission to introduce the best of Vietnamese cuisine to the world," Chu stated.
The festival's main highlight will be an expansive culinary space where visitors can indulge in the authentic, rich flavors of Pho and other traditional Vietnamese dishes. The meals will be prepared by top-tier chefs from five-star hotels and restaurants, alongside other culinary experts, ensuring a truly premium tasting experience. The event will be further enriched by a variety of engaging activities, including exhibitions, cultural exchange programs, and vibrant artistic performances.
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership Through Culture and Commerce
This year's festival holds special significance as it aims to bolster the recently upgraded "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between Vietnam and Singapore. The event is positioned as a platform to promote not only culture and tourism but also trade and investment between the two nations.
Tran Phuoc Anh, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore, joined the press conference online and emphasized the strategic importance of the location. "Singapore is not just a market of 6 million people; it is a regional hub that welcomes 17 million international tourists each year," he explained.
He added that the local community of over 33,000 Vietnamese expatriates and their international friends are eagerly awaiting the festival to enjoy authentic cuisine and connect with business partners from Vietnam. "The festival is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, with a target of reaching US$30 billion by 2028," Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh said.
Fostering Trade and Investment Opportunities
Beyond the public festivities, the event will serve as a crucial gateway for Vietnamese businesses looking to enter or expand in the Singaporean market.
Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, noted that Singapore is a dynamic and promising market. "This event is expected to create new opportunities for trade and investment for the participating businesses," he said. In a new move this year, food producers—including manufacturers of rice and spices—have been invited to participate, broadening the scope of commercial opportunities.
A key component of the festival will be the Vietnam-Singapore Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Forum, which will bring together 150 businesses from both countries. The forum will focus on high-potential sectors, including food processing, green logistics, tourism, and e-commerce, creating a fertile ground for new partnerships and collaborations.
