Food

People often said that “Pho” (noodle soup)and “nem ran” (spring roll) can represent for Vietnamese foods which are really diversified from the North to the South, from rural to urban and even from Spring to Winter. When you travel from the North to the South of Vietnam, you will realize the sharp difference in the flavor of foods in each local. Although foreign visitors consider Vietnamese food quite healthy in general, each food has its outstanding features which symbolized for each region of Vietnam country. For example, the Middle foods are always spicier than the North and the South ones. It derives from the habit of how the local people prepare and enjoy their foods.

Perhaps you will not deny making a tour on culinary of Vietnam, won’t you? Firstly in the North, you will be impressed by various kinds of foods ranging from those of the mountainous areas to those of the deltas. In particular of Hanoi, what attracts foreign tourists most can be named as “Bun cha” which is voted as a “must-eat” dish by the majority of foreign travelers. Continue to satisfy your taste with some foods in the Middle – which is generally considered hotter and spicier than those of the North. Please do not miss trying some central specialties like “Bun Bo Hue” (Hue Beef Noodle) and Cao Lau Hoian (Hoian vermicelli). And finally stopping at the Southern Vietnam, you might find the difference in Southern food from others because the Southern people have the habits of adding more sugar in their foods. Especially, the majority of Southern people are fond of some “rural foods” – which are now considered as famous specialties of this region. The given name can be “Banh xeo” (rice pancake folded in half), “banh canh Trang Bang” (or rice spaghetti) of Tay Ninh province, etc. Furthermore, the Southern region of Vietnam can be considered the land of fruit gardens. Taking a boat tour along the river of Cuu Long, you will not only enjoy the nature beauty of sightseeing around but also have chance to try special fruits such as mango, durian (sau rieng), grape fruits (buoi), mangosteen (mang cut), star apple (vu sua), rambutan (chom chom), etc.  

Drink

Almost such worldwide popular drinks as Coke, Pepsi, Heineken and Western Wines are available in Vietnam. It is easy for those in need to get them in supermarkets, or in restaurants. In addition with this, travelers can have a wide range of drinks made in Vietnam both in can and fresh ones. For example, fresh fruit juices are now being very popular in every region. This kind of drinks is very nutrition and healthy for your whole body, especially for your skin.

In addition, beer could be a favorite of many travelers. It is also available everywhere in Vietnam from rural to urban and from luxurious restaurants to pavement ones. Fresh beer is very common in Vietnam. It is a favorite of many Vietnamese men’s also.

Especially, “strong coffee” might be regarded as illegal in your countries, but you will be surprised and interested in the fact that “strong coffee” is acceptable in every café restaurant in Vietnam. It would be a miss if you do not spend some times enjoying it at some café restaurant nearby. It is also good for you to know that coffee in the North tends to be stronger than in the South. And the Southern people often drink coffee with much ice but the Northern ones often drink hot coffee in Winter and with a little bit ice in Summer.  

Besides imported wines from Europe, alcoholic drinks made in Vietnam are limited. All are made of rice or cassava. Of which the rice wine – Vodka can be presented – is made by lowland community, and the cassava one – “Can Wine” can be presented – by mountainous community. Such domestic wines can not be missed in parties, worship ceremonies and village festivals where it is not only the offering to the supernatural characters and to the ancestors, but the drink for people to wish for health, wealthy and prosperity. For those who are on tour in Hoa Binh or Sapa in Lao Cai, or in some provinces in Tay Nguyen (Central Highland areas), try to arrange an opportunity to join “Can Wine” party with ethnic minority – a promisingly unforgettable memory in Vietnam.