A cooking contest searching for the best pho chefs and a competition to vote for the favorite pho brands in Vietnam have been launched in the lead-up to the 2019 Day of Pho, the third edition of the annual program to honor the world-renowned food.

December 12 was officially designated as the Day of Pho in celebration of Vietnam’s effective traditional dish in 2018, one year after the first ‘Pho Day,’ an initiative by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, was held.

Pho is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs and meat, either beef or chicken.

The third Day of Pho will be held on December 8 this year at White Palace on Pham Van Dong Street in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, with support from Acecook Vietnam.

A cook pours broth onto a bowl of pho. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Besides the main festive day, a competition is being held to search for the best pho makers in Vietnam.

The contest is open to both local and foreign chefs who currently work at eateries, restaurants or hotels across the country, as well as non-professional cooks.

The qualifier is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16, and in Hanoi on November 23.

Contestants will be provided with free toques, aprons and cooking tools at the contest venues.

They will also receive VND500,000 (US$21.5) in cash to buy ingredients in the qualifiers, and VND1 million ($43) if they make it to the final round.

Ten finalists will compete for five top prizes, “Hoa Hoi Vang” (Golden Star Anise) worth VND30 million ($1,200) each, and five second prizes, “Hoa Hoi Bac” (Silver Star Anise) worth VND10 million ($430) each, plus a certificate by the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association and a trophy.

Registration is open from now to October 31 at ngaycuapho12thang12.tuoitre.vn and https://www.facebook.com/NgayCuaPho/

A booth at the 2018 Day of Pho in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Day of Pho 2019 will also feature a vote-based competition to choose the top ten pho brands most loved by consumers in Vietnam.

Readers and owners of pho brands can now submit their nominations and self-nominations via an online form at ngaycuapho12thang12.tuoitre.vn.

The organizers and a consultancy panel will make a shortlist of 30 brands for the official voting round.

The nomination is open from now to the end of October 20.

The shortlisted brands will be announced on October 31, from which voting will begin until November 31.

Winners of the favorite pho brands contest will receive a certificate, a trophy and other gifts on the official festive day, December 8.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!