When you go on holiday, what’s the thing you look forward to most? Hot weather, perhaps, or cheap cocktails? Maybe you look forward to the chance to relax – or maybe it’s the opportunity for adventure. Personally – and it doesn’t matter where I’m going – I look forward to the food.
The markets packed with fresh ingredients, the street stalls purveying all manner of exotic treats, the backstreet restaurants selling bowls of steaming pho for a song – whether you’re looking for the cheapest bites or swanky international fare, you can find it in Vietnam. You can eat rustic, home-cooked meals at countryside homestays, take cookery classes in imperial Hue, and enjoy an exhilarating scooter-back street food tours in Saigon and Hoi An. Then, if you’re still not satisfied, you can eat Michelin-quality food in the glittering skyscraper hotels of Ho Chi Minh City, or sample the best in fusion cuisine the grand colonial edifices of Hanoi. You can eat spring rolls, noodle soups, coconut curries, freshly caught seafood, banh mi baguettes, and salads so fresh they’re practically still growing.
Perhaps I’m labouring the point a bit, but Vietnamese food deserves every accolade it gets – and that’s something worth shouting about. To give you the briefest of brief introductions to this wonderful world, our designer Kate has put together a fantastic guide to Vietnam’s street food, taking you on a delicious gastronomic journey from banh tom in the north to banh mi in the south – with plenty in-between.
Our Culinary Vietnam itinerary covers the entire country and is perfect for foodies. Get in touch with one of our Vietnam experts to begin planning your gastronomic adventure!
