Shadowing Practice: Hà Nội promotes phở for UNESCO heritage recognition | Vietnam Today - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hanoi is preparing a dozier to nominate fur in inscriptions on the UNESCO representative list of the interchangeable cultural heritage of humanity.
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Hanoi is preparing a dozier to nominate fur in inscriptions on the UNESCO representative list of the interchangeable cultural heritage of humanity.
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The effort aims to preserve and promote the cultural value of this iconic dish while bringing Hanoi fur closer to global audiences and strengthening its role in tourism and culture industries.
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The dozier is expected to be completed in 2026 with contributions from authorities, experts
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and heritage communities alongside expanded promotion and digital initiative and on this occasion let's take a closer
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look at what makes a Vietnamese first so distinctive and why is deserved to be recognized not only as a national treasure but also as an tangible cultural heritage of humanity
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I can eat pho all day.
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I have been eating pho here for over 30 years.
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Whenever I'm back from a trip, I have to get myself a bowl of pho.
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For many people, pho is more than just a dish, it is part of daily life.
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After years living abroad, many Vietnamese say what makes eating pho in Vietnam special is not only the taste, but also the unique atmosphere that cannot be found elsewhere.
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I think fur is special because of the atmosphere.
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The space that you enjoy fur is always crowded with people.
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They are willing to sit anywhere, on plastic stool, on the pavement, with mix-sip table.
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This specific feature makes pho consumption a very special practice.
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Beyond the atmosphere, pho in Vietnam continues to evolve, offering a wide range of choices to suit different tastes.
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From beef pho with various cuts of meat to chicken pho, and even newer variations, For many visitors, pho has become a must-try dish when coming to Vietnam.
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On my first morning, my friend brought me here to try it and it was just like such a good breakfast and better than I expected.
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At long-standing pho shops in Hanoi, behind the familiar flavor are generations of families who have preserved and developed their own recipes over time.
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Each shop carries its own unique techniques, contributing to the rich diversity of pho across Vietnam.
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All ingredients must be of top quality.
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The essence of a good bowl of phoes lies first in the bones.
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Good, rich bones create a flavorful broth.
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If the meat has a good balance of fat, it makes the flavor even richer.
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Each pho shop offers a different flavor.
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There may be variations, developments and creativity, but there's always one thing that remains unchanged, and that is the traditional essence." From tradition to modern life, pho continues to be enjoyed by people across generations.
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As of 2023, Hanoi is home to nearly 700 pho shops.
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With such widespread popularity, the effort to nominate pho as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity is expected to bring pride not only to Hanoi's cuisine, but to Vietnamese cuisine as a whole.
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And now to have a further look into the process of nominating pho to be recognized as UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Let's have a talk with Dr. Le Thị Minh Lê, Vice President, Cultural Heritage Association of Vietnam, for more insight.
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First of all, thank you so much for spending the time to join this conversation with us.
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I'm happy to be here.
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How many requirements have we met to receive the status of a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status?
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First, to determine whether a cultural expression qualifies as heritage, it must be inventoried.
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It must have a long history, must be created, practiced and transmitted across generations by identifiable communities.
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Over time, this transmission forms a strong sense of community identity and pride.
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The community must also voluntarily commit, together with authorities, to safeguarding this heritage for the long term.
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Based on this inventory, elements that require urgent safeguarding are proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for inclusion in the National Heritage List.
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In the case of Pho, the process has reached a stage where the government has approved the preparation of the nomination dossier.
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Hanoi has been assigned to lead this process.
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What are the key challenges that Vietnam has to look out for?
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Phở is now found everywhere, but the UNESCO list is a representative one, so not every community can be included.
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This creates a key challenge, deciding who is represented and how to ensure fairness.
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The second challenge is helping people fully understand the value of the nomination.
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It lies not only in the dish itself, but in the practices, creativity and cultural traditions behind it.
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Recognizing a community is not just about giving a title, it also encourages a strong sense of responsibility.
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From your perspective, what else can we do to furthermore elevate the position of pho in the international ground?
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can further elevate pho are the stories behind it, the stories of the people who make pho, or families who have preserved and refined it across generations, and of the memories tied to it.
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I still vividly remember the famous pho stalls of old Hanoi, or the pot of pho a mother would save up for all week, waiting until the whole family gathered to cook and share it.
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These are more than stories, they are memories, pieces of culture that can be told through museums, restaurants and community spaces.
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And it is through these humor stories that Pho can truly be elevated, not just as a dish, but as the culture of a family, a city, a community and ultimately a nation.
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Again, thank you so much for the insight.
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will explore the cultural significance of phở, a traditional Vietnamese dish, as Hanoi prepares to nominate it for UNESCO heritage recognition. By engaging with the transcript's dialogue, students will practice pronunciation, intonation, and fluidity while using the essential shadowing technique. This exercise will enhance vocabulary related to cuisine and culture, helping learners gain insight into not only the language but also the unique practices that make phở an integral part of Vietnamese life.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • UNESCO heritage recognition - A status given to cultural traditions deemed significant to humanity.
  • Cultural value - The importance of a tradition or practice to a community's identity.
  • Broth - The liquid base for phở, essential for its flavor.
  • Safeguarding - The act of preserving cultural heritage.
  • Generations - Different age groups within a community, often relating to family history.
  • Atmosphere - The mood or environment of a place, crucial for enjoying phở.
  • Tradition - Long-established customs passed through generations.
  • Community identity - The sense of belonging or cultural connection among a group of people.

Practice Tips

To get the most out of this practice, focus on shadow speaking—listening and immediately repeating phrases aloud. The transcript flows with a natural rhythm that reflects conversational Vietnamese culture. Pay attention to the speaker's tone and pacing, which can fluctuate with enthusiasm or reflection when discussing food. For instance, when they highlight the uniqueness of phở, mimic the excitement in their voice to capture the emotional essence of their words.

As you use the shadowing technique, notice the shifts in volume and pitch; these elements create a rich storytelling experience that cannot be replicated by static grammar exercises. This is where shadow speech shines—it allows you not only to learn vocabulary but also to develop a deeper connection to the cultural context surrounding the language. Make sure to practice with the aim of enhancing both your pronunciation and your understanding of the cultural significance of the phrases.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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