Hanoi street food has been a unique cultural feature of Hanoi for a long time. Wherever you go, it is always a hard impression in the heart of Hanoi people as well as international visitors when they visit the city.

Street food – “soul” of Hanoi

The characteristic of street food in Hanoi is that the processing of food is very fast, not decoratively and eaters can enjoy while it is still hot. Now, pavement night diner s are places to meet friends, entertaining after stressful working hours or family gatherings. Each person has a purpose so that there are always crowded in the night, everyone is shady talk. This is the reason why there are many Vietnam food tours.

Uncle Nguyen Van Mai, a native of Hanoi, said: “The pavement restaurant is always the place that I and my friends choose when meeting each other. Not only because of this delicious food, but we also can both eat and talk very comfortably without fear of influencing or scaring anyone. The price at the sidewalk diner compared to the restaurant with clean and beautiful space is not much difference. However, many people still choose street foods, because they like the feeling of eating while looking the bustle of Hanoi streets. Street food has become a part of the soul of Hanoi. And even if people leave Hanoi, they will never forget that street food.

Street food in Hanoi in the view of international tourists.

Hanoi street food is increasingly popular and affirms its attractiveness in the eyes of international visitors. Come to Hanoi, visitors can not miss the famous street specialties such as beef noodle, pancakes, rolls, bread …

Mike Tatarski, a two-year-old visitor in Vietnam, said, “I like street food in Hanoi. Because it tastes very unique, there are many green vegetables and spice combinations are very harmonious. Especially, I was impressed with the street vendors sitting on the sidewalk because they are very friendly and humorous. It helps me feel a lot better. ” Hanoi street cuisine is richer with dishes from many regions now that make the cuisine of Kinh Ky area become more and more interesting and special.

Visitors are not only attracted by the delicious food, but they also are very interested in eating while watching the local people ‘s lifestyle. Just a few plastic chairs and a folding table, even without a roof, it can become a street restaurant. Blacke Robertson, a US traveler said: “The street food of Hanoi made me very excited. It is not only very tasty, but I also found a new feeling as I sat on the small plastic chairs, sipping coffee or iced tea, watching the bustling line on the street and listening to the stories of those around me. ”

Thanks to the unique flavor and special features of street foods, many visitors also open street-style restaurants and sell Vietnamese food in their home country after they enjoyed Vietnam street food. For example, Paul Hopper, a British guy after a trip to Vietnam opened a restaurant called “Box” in London. He said: “When I came to Vietnam, I immediately” fell in love “with fresh, tasty dishes of street vendors. I am especially impressed with the popular restaurants here because of quickly and conveniently serving. Besides, it is really suitable for office staffs and worker lunches. And I decided to open chophouse in London, serving fast food but still fresh for office workers. ”

It can be said that street food has become a unique cultural feature of Hanoi, the “soul” of the land of the thousand years of civilization. Not only has a special meaning with the local people, but also has the unforgettable impression with international friends. As a result, it contributes to enriching the quintessence culinary culture of Vietnam.

Source: vietnam-travelnews

The Beauty Of Hanoi Street Food Tours
Nguyen Thanh Van

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is famous for abundant, affordable and diverse street foods. Saigon is indeed a city for food lovers all over the world.
Here are some of the best spots to check out:

Bun Mam (Noodle Soup with Fermented Fish Sauce Broth)

Bun Mam can be challenging because of its strong smell. It’s a noodle soup with fermented fish broth, seafood and pork belly. It sounds smelly but once tasted it, you might be addicted to its thick rice noodles and savory fish and meat.

– Bun Mam Dac San: 22 Phan Boi Chau, Dist. 1

– Bun Mam 444: 369 Le Quang Dinh Str., Binh Thanh Dist.

Banh Beo (Water Fern Cake)

A very familiar street food dish among Vietnamese, as well as Saigonese. You dip the small round rice-flour cakes, topped with pork rinds and toasted shrimp powder, into a dipping bowl of fish sauce. One serving often comes with 8-10 cakes.

– Nam Giao: 136 Le Thanh Ton Street, Dist. 1

Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)

Banh Cuon is a favorite breakfast dish for Vietnamese people – it’s cheap, simple yet delicious. The thin steamed rice papers are rolled with or without ground pork and wood ear mushrooms, topped with fried onions. Dip one roll into a bowl of fish sauce, you’ll know why this dish is loved widely by Vietnamese people.

– Banh Cuon Hai Nam: 11A Cao Thang, HCMC

– Banh Cuon Tay Ho 1: 127 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, District 1

Banh Trang Tron

Banh Trang Tron was invented by Southerners, the most popular street snack in Ho Chi Minh city. You can easily find the stalls selling this dish on almost every corner of the city. The dish is composed of rice paper threats, mixed with all kinds of toppings and spices. The taste is sour and lightly spicy which is so addicted and makes you crave it for more.

– Nguyen Thuong Hien Street, Ward 5, Dist. 3

– Banh Trang Tron Hoa Hao: Hoa Hao Street, Dest. 10

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Common dish of not only Ho Chi Minh City but all the South Vietnam. People can eat Com Tam (Broken Rice) for all meals. The dish is simple yet can make you full for half of the day, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. The name came from the fact that after the drying and milling process, the farmer used the leftover grains which are usually broken but cheaper than whole grain.

– Com Tam Cali: 32 Nguyen Trai Street, Dist. 1

– Com Tam Moc: 85 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist. 1

Source: asianwaytravel

5 Foods you won’t miss when in Sai Gon
Nguyen Thanh Van

• Picturesque scenery and cultural riches aside, gorgeous Hoi An draws intrepid travelers keen on gastronomic delights. Its specialties are the result of Chinese, French and Japanese influences while being distinguished by using local ingredients and typical cooking methods. Leave ample space in your belly to into 5 must-try specialties in Hoi An below.

1. Cao Lau

Hoi An is the birthplace of “cao lau” so if you’re in the city, you must have come across and tasted this local specialty at least once. This special dish is a perfect example of Hoi An cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients from rice noodles to crisp herbs in the local organic Tra Que gardens and water from well-hidden ancient Cham wells. Pork meat is marinated and roasted for 1 hour before being mixed with chewy udon-like rice noodles, beansprouts, croutons, fresh herbs in pork-based gravy. The dish is usually served with spring onions, chilli jam and lime relish. Best “cao lau” is unlikely to be found in upscale restaurants but in simple food carts off the street where you can slurp with unbridled joy while people-watching.

2. Com Ga Hoi An

Hoi An chicken rice is a close cousin to classic chicken rice in China. However, when it comes to savory flavor, Hoi An locals pick up only fragrant rice and shredded farm-raised chicken as major ingredients. For the melt-in-your-mouth texture, after seasoning, top quality rice is cooked with chicken broth, turmeric and panda leaves in a wooden stove for a distinctive pale yellow exterior and special fragrance. Meanwhile, fresh chicken is boiled then squeezed with fried onion, salt and pepper resulting in thorough spice absorption. Eat it like locals do by topping it with black pepper and chilli jam and flavored with onion, sour papaya, fresh herbs and soy sauce.

3. Mi Quang

It’s unlikely you’ll find “mi Quang” (Quang-style turmeric noodles) anywhere else outside Hoi An. Like “cao lau” and other regional specialties, “mi Quang” is made based on a common ground: use only local rice noodles and mix it with fresh grown herbs and local greens. Traditionally, “mi Quang” comprises several ingredients such as yellow rice noodles, a little bone broth flavored with fish sauce, meat toppings including chicken, pork of beef slices and local herbs. Yet, “mi Quang” now comes in a variety of versions that meat toppings can be replaced by squid, boiled quail eggs, nails or frogs. A perfect bowl of Quang-style turmeric noodles is usually added with different herbs like basil, peanuts, coriander, and sliced banana flowers.

4. Banh Xeo

Crispy fried pancake, a typical Vietnamese snack varies across the nation as each region has its own variation. And “banh xeo” Hoi An in central style boasts one of its best versions. This sophisticated dish is made of rice flour squeezed with coconut milk and turmeric and toppings range from vermicelli noodles to chicken, pork, shrimps, sliced onions, beansprouts, and mushrooms. It is a common street food that you can easily find it at roadside stalls, local markets and restaurants in Hoi An. Make your own combination of a small piece of “banh xeo” wrapped in lettuce leaves or rice papers, added with “nem lui” (lemongrass pork skewers”, basil then dipped into fermented peanut sauce.

5. Banh Mi Hoi An

Vietnamese baguette is arguably the world’s best sandwich. When in Hoi An, don’t miss a chance to grab a typical bite of “banh mi Phuong” Hoi An. This is a good mix of a plain banh mi with a variety of meat fillings including “heo quay” (roasted pork belly), “cha ca” (fried fish with turmeric and dill), “cha lua” (boiled sausages), “xiu mai” (meatballs) and fried eggs. Other additions are pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, chilli and hot peppers, all are combined together for a wonderful flavor. Quick and tasty, if this Vietnam’s quintessential dish is not the breakfast of champions, I don’t know what it is!

Source: vietnamonline.com

The 5 Hoi An Cuisines You Cannot Afford To Miss
Nguyen Thanh Van

Com Hen

Com Hen (rice with mussel) is a very unique cuisine of Hue. Com Hen contains rice, boiled mussel, star fruit, fish sauce, cabbage, onion, pepper, peanut, chili, and a variety of herbs. The specialty is all of these elements are cold. When people eat Com Hen, they add all the above ingredients to a bowl, and slowly add boiled mussel broth with chili sauce into the bowl (the broth is the only hot thing in Com Hen). Com Hen has an extremely spicy flavor as such, so gastronomes remember it just after one time enjoying.

Bun Bo Hue

Bun bo Hue (Hue style beef vermicelli) or more detail, Bun bo gio heo (beef and pig’s knuckle vermicelli) is a popular Vietnamese soup vermicelli dish, and one of the most typical foods of Hue, Vietnam. Fine combination of ingredients make the food famous; the broth is prepared by simmering beef and bones for a long period of time, after that a large range of different spices containing lemon grass and chili are added in. Shrimp paste holds no less importance. Hue people usually add thin slices of beef shank, chunks of boiled oxtail, and pig’s knuckles or pork into the bowl. It can also contain cubes of maroon brown congealed pig blood, which are good for those suffering from high blood pressure. The specialty is commonly served with a plenty of herbs like sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, onions, and sliced banana blossom. Thinly sliced purple cabbage or iceberg lettuces are used in case of lacking in banana blossom. It is highly recommended for tourists to add a few of shrimp paste directly into the soup.

Banh Beo

Banh beo (water fern cake) is a kind of small steamed rice pancake. The name is to refer from the shape of the cake (like a water fern-Beo in Vietnamese). It is white in color, sometimes nearly transparent and usually has a dimple in the center, which is covered with savory recipes including chopped dried or fresh shrimp, scallions, mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and oil.

Banh khoai

Banh khoai (delicious pancake) is so much like Banh xeo (sizzling pancake) since they both are made from rice flour, water, turmeric powder, added slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and then pan fried. Banh khoai and Banh xeo also are wrapped in mustard leaf, lettuce leaves or rice paper, and stuffed with variety of herb, like mint leaves, basil and served with a sweet and sour mixed sauce. In Hue, Banh khoai is placed open-face instead of being folded in half like Banh xeo. Moreover, Banh khoai always goes with a fermented soy bean sauce, and people consider it a winter food owing to its greasiness and spicy taste of the sauce. Therefore, most Hue citizens only make them when winter coming.

Mam tom chua

The central of Vietnam is reputable for its Mam tom chua (sour shrimp sauce) and Hue is the best place for this unique sauce. Unlike normal shrimp sauce (has brown color and smooth surface), Sour shrimp sauce has orange color while shrimps still keep its original shape. It is quite simple to make this sauce. First, shrimps are clean by salt water (do not use normal water to avoid bad smells) and “cook” by strong rice wine. The shrimps will turn red. After that, carefully mix the shrimps with sticky rice, sliced lesser galangal, garlic and chili. Slowly put all the mixture into a jar covered by guava leaves. Just need to wait for 5-7 days and we have the mouthwatering sour shrimp sauce of our own making. This is the best sauce for boiled pork with vermicelli.

Source: vietnamonline.com

5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue
Nguyen Thanh Van

We believe you don’t need a special excuse to take a vacation with your partner. But if you’re looking for one, Vietnam has you covered. Vietnam is a surprisingly enchanting destination for couples, blessed with rich culture, mouth watering food, and diverse landscapes. Whether you’re reconnecting after a busy season, celebrating a romantic milestone, or going on a spur-of-the-moment adventure, Vietnam will give you moments to treasure for a long time to come. Here are our best trip ideas for couples in Vietnam.

Best for pure romance: Ha Long Bay Cruise 

Much has been said about this striking seascape in Northern Vietnam, and for good reason. The bays of Ha Long, and Lan Ha never get tired. The marina is just a short two-hour drive from the airport in Hanoi. Whisk your partner away on a luxury cruise, and spend the hours watching the karsts drift by, kayaking around floating villages, and taking in spectacular scenery from the deck.

2D1N Genesis Regal Cruise Ha Long + Lan Ha Bay

Best for local culture: Exploring Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is what most people think of when they think of Vietnam. This part of the country is awash in exotic visuals: bustling floating markets, children riding bicycles, tiny sampans floating down leafy canals, sun-drenched rice paddies, and ornate pagodas. The areas surrounding Chau Doc, and Can Tho are especially compelling. Here, life goes on peacefully in the shade of fruit trees, and the food is always fresh and nourishing. Wake up early and take a boat to the nearest floating market for an unforgettable bowl of Hu Tieu.

Can Tho – Chau Doc – Mekong Delta 4 Days 3 Nights

Best for cosy weather: Romance Traveling  in Da Lat

04D / 03N ~ Da Lat Flower City (New Program)

Vietnam’s best getaways for couple
Nguyen Thanh Van

If you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, spend the day eating. Vietnam’s most dynamic city is filled to the brim with good food. People from all over Vietnam come to Ho Chi Minh City to work, bringing with them recipes from their hometowns that over time make up the metropolis’ exciting culinary scene. Here’s our insider guide to three dishes you don’t want to miss.

1.Snails, skewers, and seafood

The area of District 4 is known for its many sidewalk BBQ seafood and snail joints. The small street of Vĩnh Khánh (District 4, Ho Chi Minh City) comes to life just after dark. Around 6pm, it transforms into a bustling neighbourhood, filled with diners gathering for a beer over some snails and seafood skewers, weekdays and weekends alike. For foodies who want to immerse in the lively atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, head to the restaurants along Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal (bờ kè area), a branch of the Saigon River that runs through the city.

While snails may sound foreign to some, they are one of the city’s most famous specialties. Snail restaurants lay out fresh catches of the day in baskets or trays for you to choose from. They can go up to twenty different kinds. From stir-fried with butter and garlic, grilled with sea salt and chilli, to stewed in coconut milk, each way of cooking snails pairs perfectly with each type of snail. Sweet snails, cockles, and razor clams are some local favourites. Overwhelmed by these selections? Simply ask what the other diners are eating and they will be happy to help you.

2. Broken rice equals a wholesome breakfast

Ask anyone in Ho Chi Minh City and they will tell you the go-to breakfast here is cơm tấm (broken rice). Cơm tấm is one of the few dishes that originated in Ho Chi Minh City. In the old days, these special broken rice grains were not fit for sale, so farmers would save and eat them. In fact, the tấm rice grains are so symbolic of humble beauty and grace that in the Vietnamese version of Cinderella, she was named Tấm whereas the evil stepsister was called Cám, after a different kind of rice byproduct.

Cơm tấm has all the right stuff to kickstart your day: honey-glazed barbecued pork chops, sunny-side-up eggs, spring onions, and pickled papaya on a bed of rice. Of course, these days you can have cơm tấm for any meal. Everyone in Ho Chi Minh City has his or her favourite cơm tấm spot, but don’t be afraid to try out the one closest to you. It will likely be just as good. Pour a generous amount of sweet fish sauce on top of everything on your plate, and dig in.

3. The many faces of Hu Tieu

Because of its culturally diverse population, countless versions of a single dish are a common theme in the local food scene. Few dishes are as representative of this city as Hu Tieu. It has multiple origins (Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese), and has seen many changes and adaptations, yet it’s embraced by Vietnamese everywhere. You can easily find a hearty bowl of hủ tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh rice noodles) with thin strings of rice noodles submerged in boiling hot bone broth, topped with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, and fried garlic on small carts all over the city.

An alternative you don’t want to miss is Hu Tieu Sa Đéc, originated from the former Sa Đéc province in the Mekong Delta. This flavourful noodle dish comes with a special sweet sauce, a taste signature to the Delta region. As you bite into the rice noodle strings, you will notice the difference in their chewy texture. A plate of mung bean sprout and lettuce adds a cheerful crunch to every bite.

4. A bánh mì like no other

You can find bánh mì anywhere in Vietnam, but each region puts its own twist on the classic sandwich. In Ho Chi Minh City, a typical bánh mì comes with char siu pork, homemade paté, soft butter, pickled papaya, and hot chili peppers. Some cooks make their own special sauce that magically ties everything together.

EATING LIKE A LOCAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa is a firm favourite among locals. Known for their generous fillings and spectacular flavours, the small shop always has a line of dedicated diners waiting in front, no matter what time of day. Each one sets you back 42,000 VNĐ, and is almost twice as big as your average bánh mì. But size is not the only thing that sets Huỳnh Hoa apart. Every wonderful bite contains equal measures of all the fantastic tastes and textures. In the words of the Huỳnh Hoa’s owner: “This is no ordinary bánh mì!”

5. Summertime spring rolls

For Vietnamese who grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, gỏi cuon (fresh spring rolls) are the food of childhood. Many of us would have these spring rolls on the sidewalks as an after-school snack. You can easily get a taste of this wrap at street food vendors around the city. Pull up a plastic stool, order a plate of gỏi cuon, and see for yourself what makes this simple dish so special.

Freshness is at the heart of gỏi cuon. Green lettuce and herbs are wrapped around rice noodles, steamed pork, and a single prawn. The simplicity highlights each ingredient’s pure flavours. However, the difference between a great gỏi cuon and a mediocre one lies in its dipping sauce. The thick fermented sauce can be an acquired taste, but give it a try and you will see where gỏi cuon gets its boldness. After hours of exploring the city, some gỏi cuon and iced tea is perfect for a break. Not to mention, these beautiful rolls will definitely spice up your Instagram feed.

Source: Vietnam.travel

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How to enjoy local food in Hochiminh City?
Nguyen Thanh Van