Hanoi Promotes Pho as Cultural Intellectual Property

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has launched a new initiative to protect and leverage its beloved national dish, Pho, as cultural intellectual property. This endeavor frames intangible cultural heritage as an endogenous resource capable of generating new value for socio-economic development, aligning with the global trend of the creative economy. The competition, titled "Creating Cultural Intellectual Property from the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hanoi’s Pho," organized by the Hanoi People's Committee, is a concrete step in this direction. Through this competition, the aim is to shed new light on the intangible heritage of Pho—its history, cooking methods, and regional variations—and transform it into contemporary value. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage are often integrated into strategies for strengthening national identity, boosting tourism, and ultimately, driving economic growth. Pho, as a deeply ingrained culinary tradition for the Vietnamese people, has the potential not only to foster domestic unity but also to enhance Vietnam's image abroad. This initiative is expected to go beyond mere preservation of culinary culture. By introducing the concept of intellectual property rights, it aims to create new opportunities for businesses and the tourism industry associated with Pho. Potential avenues include brand development, positioning Pho as a regional specialty, and creating cultural experience programs. This aligns with Vietnam's broader economic shift from a manufacturing and export-driven structure towards higher value-added services and cultural industries. In the context of its relations with China, Vietnam maintains economic ties while simultaneously emphasizing its cultural distinctiveness to establish its national identity. The intellectual property initiative for Pho can be seen as part of this strategy to highlight Vietnam's unique cultural assets.