On the afternoon of July 5, Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, announced that the city has been honored with two new entries in Vietnam’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List: the heritage of “Folk Knowledge of Bún Bò Huế” and the “New Rice Festival” celebrated by the Co Tu ethnic community.
Specifically, on June 27, 2025, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed Decision No. 2203/QĐ-BVHTTDL, officially recognizing the “Folk Knowledge of Bún Bò Huế” as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage in the category of Folk Knowledge. This recognition pays tribute to the profound historical, cultural, artistic, and economic value of this iconic dish that embodies the spirit of the former imperial capital.
More than just a nationally and internationally renowned dish, Bún Bò Huế is the result of centuries of accumulated folk wisdom, passed down through generations. Deeply rooted in the spiritual life, communal practices, and traditional craft villages such as Vân Cù and Ô Sa noodle villages, this dish vividly reflects the soul, lifestyle, and culinary artistry of Hue people.
In 2014, renowned culinary expert Anthony Bourdain famously praised Bún Bò Huế on the American television channel CNN as “the greatest soup I’ve ever tasted.” In 2016, the Asia Book of Records listed Bún Bò Huế among the Top 100 Asian culinary delights. More recently, in 2023, Taste Atlas, a global food website, ranked Hue 28th among the world’s top 100 cities for cuisine, highlighting Bún Bò Huế as a must-try specialty for visitors.
Through the ups and downs of history, the folk knowledge of preparing Bún Bò Huế has been preserved and elevated by local communities, especially by culinary artisans such as folk artisan Mai Thi Tra, People’s Artisan Hoang Thi Nhu Huy, People’s Artisan Ton Nu Thi Ha, and Meritorious Artisan Phan Ton Gia Hien. With exceptional skill, these artisans have safeguarded the unique cooking secrets — from selecting ingredients and simmering the broth to seasoning and presentation — thereby affirming the prestige and soul of this celebrated dish.
The official recognition of this heritage not only underscores the cultural and culinary value of Hue cuisine but also establishes a legal and motivational foundation for the city to further promote conservation, communication, and sustainable development of this heritage. It forms an integral part of Hue’s cultural industry strategy and contributes to local tourism, cultural, and economic growth. Furthermore, this milestone marks a meaningful step towards Hue’s aspiration to become a UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy.
“The Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City will collaborate with relevant departments, artisans, and the community to continue organizing teaching activities, honoring and promoting the heritage,” shared Mr. Phan Thanh Hai. “Our goal is to spread the value of the ‘Folk Knowledge of Bún Bò Huế’ to audiences at home and abroad, so that this dish becomes not only a source of pride for Hue people but also a cultural symbol of Vietnam on the international stage.”
