In which country did pho originate?

Pho originated in Vietnam, emerging in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. The dish is especially associated with Nam Định Province and Hanoi, where street vendors helped establish its modern form around 1900–1907.

Pho’s history reflects several influences. Rice noodles and aromatic seasonings connect it with Chinese culinary traditions, while French colonial-era beef consumption and pot-au-feu may have influenced its beef-and-bone broth. Historians still debate the exact pathway, but the dish’s Vietnamese development is not in serious doubt.

Pho became widely known across Vietnam after the 1954 partition, when northern migrants carried it south and regional styles developed. After the Vietnam War, Vietnamese refugees helped introduce pho to restaurants around the world. Northern versions tend to have a clearer, more restrained broth; southern versions often include more herbs, bean sprouts, and sauces.