Anh Hai's Pho Shop: Vietnamese gaming phenomenon takes social media by storm

The game Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant suddenly became a phenomenon when it spread strongly on social networks. Many users continuously searched for "Brother Hai's Pho restaurant in Dan Phuong", even though this is actually just a fictional setting in the game.

The game was developed by a student of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, released for free on the itch.io platform, supporting both Vietnamese and English.

Anh Hai's Pho Shop is set in a Northern countryside village, where players take on the role of Anh Hai, the owner of a small pho shop in the suburbs of Hanoi. The simple storytelling, mixed with a bit of mystery and humor, quickly made the game the center of attention of the Vietnamese gaming community.

The highlight that makes Anh Hai's Pho Shop stand out is the way the game combines business simulation and Vietnamese cultural elements. Players not only cook and serve pho, but also live in a familiar Northern countryside space, from the signboard "Pho Anh Hai - No. 10 Dan Phuong" to the guests with distinct personalities. Every detail has a Vietnamese breath, creating a feeling that is both authentic and close.

Not stopping there, Anh Hai's Pho Shop also has a surreal horror color. When night falls, the peaceful pho shop during the day becomes a place of mystery. Ghosts, strange noises and past memories gradually reveal themselves, making players nervous until the last minute.

In Anh Hai's Pho Shop, players will control the character with the WASD keys, interact with the mouse to cook pho, chat and explore.

The game features retro pixel graphics, a style reminiscent of the golden age of 8-bit gaming. Each “broth” is not just a cooking tool but also a survival ritual between invisible forces.

The game lasts about 30 minutes to 1 hour, with 4 different endings depending on the player’s choices. Anh Hai’s Pho Shop also has many surprises: from the scene where Anh Hai rides a bicycle through the village, patting the little dog’s head, to the cinematic “boss fights”.

From a small indie product, Anh Hai's Pho Shop has spread strongly beyond the gaming community. A series of domestic and foreign streamers posted videos of their experiences, turning the phrase "Pho Anh Hai" into a new trend. Many people even opened the map to search for "Pho Anh Hai - No. 10 Dan Phuong" as if it were a real place.

On social networks, fans shared a series of memes and cut-scene videos of "Anh Hai selling pho meets a ghost", showing the special influence of the game.

Anh Hai's Pho Shop is not just a game, but also a vivid picture of Vietnamese life, where traditional pho blends with spiritual mysteries.

Although developed by a student with limited resources, Anh Hai's Pho Shop has demonstrated the creative potential of young Vietnamese game developers. This indie game opens a new direction: connecting folk culture with modern technology, bringing "Vietnamese quality" to the world.

More than just a game, Anh Hai's Pho Shop also evokes national pride, where everyday Vietnamese values ​​can become inspiration for unique works of art.