Pho is a Vietnamese soup that is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine and culture. The word pho sounds close to the sound "phuh" to English speakers and the "ph" is said as the /f/ sound. Of course, in Vietnamese, the proper pronunciation must be said with the accurate fluctuation of high and low tones of voice. Many Vietnamese people eat pho for breakfast rather than as an evening meal. Pho can be made in more than 20 variations, but always has either a flavorful beef broth or a chicken broth base.

Pho is thought to have been first created in northern Vietnam in the early 1950s. The Vietnamese Communist government actively closed pho restaurants in favor of restaurants they could own. The quality of the government-run pho establishments was considered poor and Saigon, in South Vietnam, became a popular area for pho restaurants.

Some people believe that there was a French influence in the making of pho. as the beef stew pot-au-feu has a similar rich beef broth. Others view China as the major influence on the development of Vietnamese pho. The use of rice noodles and multiple spices are staples of Chinese cooking and China ruled Vietnam for more than a thousand years. Whatever the exact origin, pho is a popular Vietnamese food.

The rich, aromatic pho broth is prepared by boiling the beef or chicken bones for hours along with spices such as ginger, cloves, star anise and cinnamon. Cardamom is also sometimes used in the broth. Basil is often added to chicken-based pho. Pieces of meat or chicken, vegetables and seasonings prepare the pho for the table.

Pho is served with side dishes of additional items to add such as lemon or lime, bean sprouts, chilis and Thai basil leaves. Sauces such as fish sauce and hoisin sauce, a thick dark sauce, often accompany pho. Some people like to add a spicy Thai sauce called sriracha. Pho is usually eaten with both chopsticks and a spoon, as pho lovers want to be sure to enjoy every drop of the rich and satisfying broth.