From pho to banh mi to bun cha, the evolution of Hong Kong's Vietnamese food scene
Like the chef, Hong Kong – known for its love of international cuisines – is not immune to the charms of Vietnam and there are plenty of Vietnamese restaurants to be found in the city. The ties between the two, however, go much deeper than food.
More than 200,000 Vietnamese refugees entered Hong Kong between the end of the Vietnam war in 1975 and the 1997 handover of the city from British to Chinese sovereignty. In 1991, Hong Kong had around 64,300 Vietnamese asylum seekers, the highest number ever according to government statistics.
The 1998 Hong Kong Yearbook – a government publication covering the year's developments in the city – states that more than 143,000 Vietnamese refugees were resettled to other countries between 1975 and 1998, while more than 70,000 migrants were repatriated home.
Bun cha was made famous by former US President Barack Obama's 2016 appearance on Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown. Photo: Pho Viet Authentic Hanoi Cuisine
As of 2024, the Migration Policy Institute, a US think tank, estimated that only 12,000 people from the Vietnamese diaspora live in Hong Kong, accounting for 0.16 per cent of the city's total population. Hong Kong, it seems, has mostly served as a transit port for Vietnamese people in their efforts to relocate elsewhere.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
HKFP
an hour ago
- HKFP
CK Hutchison eyes inviting Chinese ‘major strategic investor' to Panama ports deal
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said Monday it was eyeing inviting a Chinese 'major strategic investor' to join a US-led consortium negotiating the sale of its global ports business outside China, including operations at the Panama Canal. The firm said in March it was offloading the firms — including operations in the vital Central American waterway — to a group led by asset manager BlackRock for US$19 billion in cash. The sale was seen as a political victory for US President Donald Trump, who had vowed to 'take back' the Panama Canal from alleged Chinese control, prompting Beijing's ire. China's market regulator said in March it was reviewing the deal. '(CK Hutchison) remains in discussions with members of the consortium with a view to inviting (a) major strategic investor from (China) to join as a significant member of the consortium,' the group said in a stock exchange filing. The firm added that changes to the consortium's membership and deal structure will be needed for the deal 'to be capable of being approved by all relevant authorities'. CK Hutchison announced in March it was offloading its global ports business outside China — including operations in the vital Central American waterway — to a group led by asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash. The sale was seen as a political victory for US President Donald Trump, who had vowed to 'take back' the Panama Canal from alleged Chinese control, drawing Beijing's ire. China's market regulator said in March it was reviewing the deal. CK Hutchison said Monday that the 'period for exclusive negotiations' mentioned in the March announcement had expired, but that discussions will continue. It did not name the major Chinese investor. China's biggest shipping company Cosco was set to join the consortium and was requesting veto rights or equivalent powers, Bloomberg News reported. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Denise Wong told the outlet that 'ongoing negotiations and the reported inclusion of Cosco Shipping in the consortium have likely eased concerns over Chinese regulatory hurdles, strengthening investor confidence in the deal's viability'. CK Hutchison said it 'intends to allow such time as is required for such discussions to achieve' a workable arrangement. It said it had stated on several occasions that it 'will not proceed with any transaction that does not have the approval of all relevant authorities'. Its Hong Kong-listed shares climbed nearly one percent Monday, while Cosco rose 0.5 percent. The consortium's original structure was designed to pass control of CK Hutchison's two Panama ports to BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners unit, while the remaining ports will go to Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte's Terminal Investment Limited. AFP has contacted Cosco for comment. The Panama Ports Company, a CK Hutchison subsidiary, has managed the port of Cristobal on the canal's Atlantic side and Balboa on the Pacific side since 1997, via a concession from the Panama government.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Mainland Chinese hotel brands poised to reshape Hong Kong's hospitality scene, analysts say
Mainland Chinese hotel operators are expected to significantly increase their presence in Hong Kong's hotel industry , potentially replacing established brands in the coming years, according to analysts. Currently, Western and international operators dominate Hong Kong's hotel landscape, while Chinese ones have a minor presence. Among some of the more notable mainland players, BTG Homeinns operates both upscale and mid-market hotels in Hong Kong, including the Wharney Hotel in Wan Chai, Oasis Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui, and Oasis Aurum 181 in Sai Ying Pun. However, mainland brands had significant potential for growth, said Hannah Jeong, executive director and head of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong. 'The Chinese operators are increasing their footprint and it's a global trend,' said Jeong, adding that because 70 per cent of tourists in Hong Kong came from the mainland, Chinese hotels 'must show their presence' in the city. The shift reflects the growing ambition of Chinese hotel operators to expand beyond the mainland, which could give them a competitive edge in attracting hotel asset owners, according to CBRE. Tourists at the Observation Deck of the Peak Tower. Photo: Elson Li Hotel operations typically follow several business models, such as a master lease – where the hotel owner leases the asset to an operator – or hotel service management, whereby the operator manages the hotel on behalf of the owner.
South China Morning Post
18 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Mainland China says Taiwan's failed recall vote shows how ‘political manipulation' failed
Beijing has criticised Taiwan's failed recall vote as a 'political manipulation' that was 'completely contrary' to the will of the people. In Saturday's vote, all 24 lawmakers from the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) survived the recall attempt backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chen Binhua, a spokesman for mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office, criticised the DPP for 'repeatedly provoking political strife' at the expense of Taiwanese people's well-being, state news agency Xinhua reported. Chen also said the DPP wanted a one-party monopoly and 'real authoritarianism', while resorting to every means of suppressing political dissent and trying to create a 'green terror' – a reference to the colour favoured by independence-leaning parties. 'The voting results show that the political manipulation of the DPP is completely contrary to the people's will on the island and is unpopular,' he added. Beijing regards Taiwan as an integral part of China and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. The Chinese mainland has intensified its political, economic and military pressure on Taiwan since the DPP's William Lai Ching-te – whom Beijing regards as a separatist – was elected as the island's leader last year.
