
Pho City Chestermere
Peter Pham, the owner of Pho City in Chestermere, has been serving the community for over a decade. The restaurant, formerly known as Van Son, was rebranded as Pho City in 2024 to better reflect Peter’s vision and his deep connection to the city. Having lived in Chestermere for more than 20 years, Peter’s journey in the restaurant industry started early. “I’ve been in the food industry since I was 14. I started as a dishwasher and worked my way through different roles, eventually becoming a manager. Now, I’m a business owner,” he shares. His experience has shaped how he operates Pho City, with a strong focus on community involvement.
The transition from Van Son to Pho City was more than just a name change. “I started Van Son with my aunt,” Peter explains. The new branding is personal to him. “I designed the logo—it’s a soup bowl with the Calgary Tower and buildings beside it.
I love the name Pho City because it reflects my vision. The new blue colour is one of my favourites, so the rebrand felt like it truly represented me, more than just taking over my aunt’s business,” he says. While maintaining the essence of the restaurant, Peter has made some updates to the menu. “The recipes and menu remain mostly the same, but we’ve added new dishes that reflect what our customers want,” he notes.
Peter acknowledges the competitive nature of being so close to Calgary. “We’re five minutes from Calgary, and I’ve seen about 120 businesses come and go. Some are still thriving. The diversity of businesses here is incredible.
During COVID, we all came together to figure out how to keep going. It helped me build a stronger network and connect with more people and families,” he says. Peter believes Chestermere is on the verge of significant growth, adding, “The city is booming. I think everyone can grow here—it’s just a matter of marketing yourself.”
Running a restaurant during the pandemic brought new challenges. “COVID-19 changed everything,” Peter recalls. “We set up a system where no one had to leave their cars—we brought the food to them and handled payments right at their vehicles.”
Peter’s commitment to Chestermere goes beyond running Pho City. He actively supports local firefighters and collaborates with other businesses. “I love helping first responders because they’re always there for us,” he says. This dedication to giving back is what makes Pho City a special part of the community. “It’s not just about running a business; it’s about being a part of the place I love.”
Looking ahead, Peter is optimistic about Chestermere’s future. “The city is growing so fast, and I believe it will only get bigger,” he shares. Despite the changes, Peter remains focused on serving the community that has supported him from the beginning. “I love helping Chestermere because it helps me,” he concludes. For Peter, Pho City is more than just a restaurant—it’s his way of giving back to the city he calls home.