Hanoi Pho Declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has officially recognized Hanoi Pho as a significant intangible cultural heritage with Decision No 2328. As of 2023, Hanoi boasts approximately 700 pho restaurants, with many of them still using traditional family recipes in areas like Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and Hai Ba Trung.

These restaurants continue to attract both local and international customers, each offering unique recipes that foster a loyal clientele. Among the most renowned establishments are Bat Dan, Ho Loi, Gam Cau, and Tam Pho.

Notable Pho Restaurants in Hanoi

Bat Dan Pho

Bat Dan Pho, located at 49 Bat Dan Street in Hoan Kiem district, is essential to any list of top pho spots in Hanoi. This restaurant is frequently highlighted in international media for its long queues of eager customers.

Open from 6-10 am and 6-10:30 pm, diners should expect to wait, especially between 8:30-9:30 am. The menu includes three pho variations: noodles with sliced medium-rare beef, sliced well-done flanks, and a combination of both, with prices ranging from VND50,000 to VND60,000 per bowl. Customers order and fetch their pho to enjoy at their tables.

Bat Dan Pho has received recognition from the Michelin Guide in the Big Gourmand category for 2023 and 2024.

Ho Loi Pho

Although Ho Loi Pho isn’t located in central Hanoi, it has gained fame on social media, particularly for its customer lines. The restaurant is run by Ho Thi Mai Hoa, who took over her father’s recipe a decade ago.

With limited seating—about 40 seats across 10 tables—the restaurant can get quite busy, especially on weekends when customers must wait for a table. Prices for their pho dishes range from VND40,000 to VND70,000.

Au Trieu Pho

In 2023, Au Trieu Pho earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for offering good food at reasonable prices. Owned by Phi Nga, the granddaughter of the famous Tu Lun Pho’s founder, the restaurant has a sizable dining space but still sees long waits during peak hours.

With a broth made by simmering cow bones for an extended period, Au Trieu Pho offers a delightful flavor, with noodles and sliced well-done flanks priced at VND55,000 and medium-rare beef at VND65,000.

Oanh Pho

Located near Au Trieu Pho, Oanh Pho operates out of a small, unmarked house, yet consistently draws a crowd. The establishment overflows with diners, often accommodating them in outdoor spaces when seating runs out inside.

Oanh prepares two large pots of broth using 20 kilograms of cow bones per pot, maintaining its affordable price of VND30,000, even as other shops raise theirs.

Gam Cau Pho

Known for its salty pho, Gam Cau Pho offers bowls priced between VND50,000 to VND80,000. After a temporary closure, the shop reopened in early 2024, drawing mixed reviews regarding the saltiness of its broth; while some diners prefer a less salty flavor, others appreciate its robust taste.