What calendar date is celebrated in Vietnam as the Day of Pho?

Vietnam celebrates the Day of Pho on December 12.

The observance began in 2017 through an initiative organized by Tuổi Trẻ newspaper and Acecook Vietnam. It promotes phở as a Vietnamese culinary symbol and highlights the dish’s regional traditions, history, and international reach. The date is commonly written as 12/12 in Vietnam.

This celebration should not be confused with Japan’s Phở Day, which is observed on April 4. Vietnam’s December event is also distinct from the country’s National Day on September 2. Annual activities can include tastings, cooking demonstrations, competitions, cultural programs, and festivals featuring styles from northern, central, and southern Vietnam.

Phở itself is a noodle soup built around rice noodles, aromatic broth, herbs, and meat, most often beef or chicken. Its exact origins remain debated, with Vietnamese, Chinese, and French culinary influences often discussed. The December date celebrates the dish as a cultural heritage as well as a popular meal.