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| Bun bo Hue, the signature dish featured at culinary festivals in Hue |
Hue hosts a grand celebration of Bun bo Hue
With the support of Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company and the Department of Tourism, this year's ‘Hue - Culinary Capital’ event will feature a wide range of activities aimed at elevating the Bun bo Hue brand and promoting the iconic dish as one of the Ancient Capital's hallmark of cultural and tourism products.
Held at the familiar venue of Thuong Bac Park in Phu Xuan Ward, the event will bring together around 80 food stalls from Hue and other localities across Vietnam, including Quang Tri, Ha Noi, Nghe An, and Phu Tho, creating a vibrant showcase of the country's culinary, cultural, and tourism heritage. The program is expected to attract more than 20.000 visitors. One of its highlights will be a live cooking demonstration and an attempt to set the record for ‘The largest simultaneous Bun bo Hue cooking and serving event’ on the afternoon of July 25th.
According to the organizers of ‘Hue - Culinary Capital 2026’ program, around 30 culinary artisans will prepare Bun bo Hue simultaneously for 300 diners. Once the record has been officially recognized, it will be served free of charge to residents and visitors. This new feature is intended to give the public a chance to experience the event firsthand.
Director of the Department of Tourism Tran Thi Hoai Tram said that alongside the record-setting event, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in Hue's rich culinary culture and the distinctive cuisines of other regions throughout the four-day festival. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy the first nationwide Bun bo Hue Festival and watch the stage production ‘Bun bo Hue - The Legend of Van Cu and Huong Ngu Symphony’.
The ‘Bun bo Hue - The Legend of Van Cu and Huong Ngu Symphony” show brings to life the cultural and historical story behind Hue's iconic dish through a contemporary theatrical presentation. “More than 400 years ago, from the pure white grains of rice grown in the Imperial Capital, the first strands of Bun (noodles) were created in Van Cu ancient village. They were more than just food - they became a lasting thread connecting the souls of the people of Hue through centuries of history. Thanks to the craftsmanship and dedication of generations of artisans, Bun bo Hue has grown beyond the bamboo hedges of its birthplace to become a dish recognized around the world. This is the story we want to tell,” the organizers of ‘Hue - Culinary Capital 2026’ shared.
Telling the story of a heritage journey
According to the organizers, ‘Hue - Culinary Capital 2026’ program is inspired by the idea of a heritage journey. Symbolized by the long strands of Bun, the festival is designed around a series of “avenues” that weave together the past, present, and future through exhibitions, displays, hands-on experiences, culinary activities, and artistic performances.
The event is divided into three chapters, each corresponding to one of the festival's themed avenues. The Origin Avenue and Essence Avenue will feature 40 stalls showcasing traditional Bun dishes, while the Global Reach Avenue will present 40 international noodle and street food stalls.
Chapter One, ‘Honoring the Past - The Origins of Excellence’, will recreate the traditional procession honoring Ba Chua Bun (the Lady of Bun) from Van Cu Village to the festival grounds. It will also include an exhibition of traditional Bun bo Hue utensils, stone mills, shoulder-pole Bun vendors, and a recreated corner of Van Cu ancient village. Chapter Two, ‘Preserving the Present - Life in Every Strand of Bun’, will feature food stalls offering a wide variety of Bun dishes from Hue and other provinces, including Bun bo Hue, Bun mam (fermented fish Bun), Bun sua (jellyfish Bun), and Bun chay (vegetarian Bun). A highlight of this section will be a detailed display showcasing the key ingredients that create the renowned flavor of Bun bo Hue.
Chapter Three, ‘Looking to the Future - A Heritage Reaching the World’ will focus on international noodle dishes and street food, including pasta, ramen, udon, and other noodle-based specialties, illustrating the dialogue between Hue's culinary heritage and international cuisine. Complementing these offerings will be traditional sweet soups (che), lotus tea, and light snacks such as fried spring rolls. Visitors can also enjoy a dedicated check-in area featuring large-scale installations of various types of noodle alongside Hue's iconic Bun strands.
Building on the success of the Bun bo Hue stage performance at ‘Hue - Culinary Capital 2026’, the Department of Tourism plans to develop it into a regular, recurring production and establish it as a signature tourism offering for Hue.
Mr. Kaneda Hiroki, General Director of Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company, said: “For Acecook, our participation goes beyond supporting ‘Hue - Culinary Capital 2026’ event. It reflects our long-term commitment to working alongside the Department of Tourism to promote tourism and share the culinary values of Hue. Through our high-quality, convenient, and modern instant food products, we hope to bring the essence of Bun bo Hue closer to consumers, allowing them to enjoy it anytime and anywhere while preserving its authentic traditional flavor”.