Experience Hanoi’s pho served by robots

This initiative is the main feature of the 2024 “Digital Pho Hanoi” programme, organised by Hanoi People’s Committee. The event aims to further promote the image of Hanoi’s pho and introduce innovative applications of technology in the culinary sector.

The programme will take place at the Digital Pho Restaurant, located at 13-15 Luong Ngoc Quyen street, Hoan Kiem district (Nostalgia Hotel).

The robot takes on the task of selecting each ingredient to complete the bowl of pho. Photo: Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024

At the event, guests will be introduced to the application of robotic technology and digital transformation in pho preparation by staff from the Hanoi Conference Centre. Guests will also have the opportunity to savour traditional pho, crafted and served by intelligent robots.

In addition, along Luong Ngoc Quyen street, visitors can enjoy modern artistic performances by robots and capture memorable moments at uniquely designed, eye-catching installations.

According to the organisers, the programme honours Hanoi's traditional pho and reinforces the city’s commitment to digital transformation – a critical factor for rapid and sustainable development in the Industry 4.0 era. By embracing this global trend, Hanoi aims to raise public awareness about the significance of digital transformation in daily life.

Earlier, the “Digital Pho Hanoi” programme was featured at the 2024 Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival, attracting large crowds.

During the three-day festival (November 28 to December 1), the “Digital Pho” booths captivated tens of thousands of visitors with the appearance of intelligent robot servers. The event drew extensive media coverage and public interest nationwide.

This promotional activity seeks to elevate Hanoi’s pho as a national intangible cultural heritage and contribute to the development of the culinary industry as a cultural asset. It is also part of efforts to secure approval for building a national dossier to nominate pho for inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In August, Hanoi’s pho was officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by Vietnam. Internationally, the dish has earned acclaim from outlets like Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and TheTravel.com, the latter ranking it among the world’s top 10 foods.

“Pho” of Hanoi, Nam Dinh recognised as national intangible cultural heritage “Pho” (Noodle soup) of Hanoi capital city and the northern province of Nam Dinh has been named in the national intangible cultural heritage list by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival highlights the capital's Pho The Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024 featured various activities exploring the unique charm of Hanoi's pho, a dish recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, including robot-prepared pho.

Hanoi’s pho now in the big time As part of the Hanoi Food Culture Festival 2024, held from November 29 to December 1, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports announced the inclusion of “Pho Hanoi” on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Plans are now underway to protect, promote, and introduce this iconic dish to international visitors.