The Wonderful Street Food Of Vietnam

It’s a very hot day in Vietnam. An old-fashioned fan circulates tepid air at an excruciatingly slow pace, as if to match the droning of mosquitoes buzzing in our ears. Around us children and adults lay comatose on threadbare cots while an old lady juices dozens of stems of fresh sugarcane. She takes her time arranging a tray with glasses full of ice, methodically pouring freshly-squeezed juice in them.Jasmine Cruise Halong bay

After a tiring morning at the white sand dunes of Mui Ne,  I’ve been observing all this listlessly. But my face lights up as she serves the first glass to me (the guest!). Soon enough, I realise I’m not the only one – I can almost see everyone’s weariness dissipate into thin air as they begin to sip on the sugar cane juice. I don’t know if it was the sugar or the unmistakable freshness of the juice, but to all of us in that moment, that drink was ambrosial. PANDAW CRUISE

Such is the spell that the street food (and well, drink!) of Vietnam casts over visitors :-)

Vietnam sugar cane juice
A glass of chilled sugarcane juice costs just $0.25 in Vietnam but it has magical powers


But that’s not all. The street food of Vietnam has so much to offer. It seduces with sheer variety, textures, and colours. Of course it helps that most of it is mind-numbingly scrumptious :-) Notes of galangal, basil, and lemongrass dilly dally with bejewelled vegetables in rich broths, plates full of fresh herbs – holy basil, coriander, culantro – accompany each meal, fresh smoothies are available at every street corner, and most of this costs less than $2.  No wonder we gained weight when we spent a month in Vietnam. Vietnam travel packages

We tried dozens of soups, noodle-based dishes, broths, desserts, and drinks – all in the name of research of course 😉 We even took an amazing street food tour with Tiger Tours, which offered the perfect introduction to the culinary landscape of Vietnam. Here are our 10 favourite eats from Vietnam – don’t miss them for the world if you’re ever in Vietnam. Make sure you check out the cheeky 11th item on the menu and tell us what you think of the entire debate there – we’re curious to hear what you think

1) Bo La Lot
Tender minced beef is wrapped in betel leaves and BBQ’d over charcoal. Once thoroughly cooked, it is sprinkled with peanuts and served with a spicy dipping sauce. The result? A fragrant Vietnamese snack that is notoriously hard to resist

2) Bánh Bao (Steamed Buns)
Steamed buns that ensconce a variety of savoury fillings – pork, sausages, beef, even boiled eggs. The outer layer is made from flour, milk, and sugar. Its slight sweetness perfectly compliments the savouriness of the fillings. Bánh Bao can be found at every street corner in Vietnam and is the perfect snack for people on the go. Make sure you opt for one right out of the steamer – they taste amazing!

3) Pho
No post on the street food of Vietnam would be complete without a mention of the legendary broth that is Pho (pronounced Fuh). Flavourful rice noodles are topped with meat and beef broth and this bowl of goodness is garnished with coriander, Asian chillies, and spring onions.

Pho is humble food. It is said to have originated in the early twentieth century in North Vietnam. Millions of Northerners fled to the South after the partition of Vietnam in 1954. These refugees popularised Pho in Southern Vietnam. Today it is the most popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City. Dozens of people can be seen wolfing down this steaming hot noodle soup at street-side stalls and restaurants for 7000 – 40000 VND ($ 0.5-2).

There are a number of famous Pho shops in every city in Vietnam, but we loved Pho served at anonymous stalls in little alleys. Most Pho stalls have just 2 things on the menu – Pho Bo (Beef Pho) and Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). If you have a sensitive tummy, try Pho at Pho 24, a chain of Pho restaurants in Saigon. It’s definitely not the tastiest Pho we had, but it’s hygienic and most waiters understand English, so they are happy to help out.

 4) Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese people LOVE their coffee. The drink is a big deal in this country. Typical Vietnamese coffee uses Robusta beans instead of Arabica beans. Vietnamese coffee is really strong but it is often served with ice and a generous helping of condensed milk. The resultant Vietnamese Iced Coffee might not be the healthiest beverage, but it is definitely the yummiest. Seriously, who can say no to condensed milk? Not us! *slurp*

The Wonderful Street Food Of Vietnam

 5)  Gôi Cuôn (Rice Paper Spring Rolls)
Rice paper spring rolls or salad rolls are very popular in Vietnam. They are served with a variety of meats and seafood (we’re partial to prawns and fried fish), fresh herbs, light vermicelli noodles, cucumber, and thin sheets of rice paper. Wet the rice paper in the accompanying bowl of water, wrap it around the meats, noodles, and vegetables, and viola spring rolls :-)

The featherlight rice paper and fragrant herbs ensure a light and crunchy snack that is truly refreshing. The best part is, you can customise them to your liking. Best enjoyed on a rickety li’l chair by the side of a busy food stall in Vietnam

6) Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette)
This is a legacy left behind by French colonizers. Baguettes are extremely common in Vietnam and are served with a variety of fillings – grilled pork, cold cuts, scrambled egg, minced beef, curried chicken – the options are endless. The Vietnamese version is lighter than a typical French baguette, but equally satisfying.

Banh Mi sandwiches are laden with pickles, crunchy salad, meat, and herbs – the perfect carb fix!!


7) BBQs baby
Vietnamese people take their BBQs very seriously. Come evening, dozens of pop-up restaurants sprout outside busy market places in large cities. In smaller villages and towns, there are entire stretches dedicated to BBQ restaurants. Everything from lobsters and red snappers to king prawns and scallops are on the menu. All you need to do is choose a dish and order, which in itself can be a gargantuan task when there are so many delicacies on offer) :-)

8) Bánh Tráng Me
Banh Trang Me – crunchy rice crackers with sesame seeds – are the perfect snack between meals. They’re usually served with a spicy paste or crunchy salad. Machine-made Banh Trang Me can be found everywhere in Vietnam but man-made crackers still reign supreme in the countryside. Is it just us or do the jagged edges make it that little bit tastier :-)

9) Bun Xao and Pho Xao
We need to thank our friend Jodi, who lives in Saigon, for introducing us to the wonder that is Bun Xao and the miracle that is Pho Xao. Why the hyperbole? Well, here’s the thing. Broths are all well and good and we do love ourselves a good bowl of Pho or Bun Bo Hue (noodle soup) but after a couple of weeks of broths for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, things are bound to get repetitive. We found ourselves craving some good ol’ stir-fried noodles and even tried ordering some. More often than not, it would get lost in translation and we would end up with yet another noodle soup :-(

Enter Jodi. She introduced us to the magic word Xao aka stir-fried.  Pho Xao consists of wok-fried flat noodles topped with stir-fried greens and chicken/beef/prawns/ tofu. Bun Xao translates to stir-fried vermicelli noodles – that’s all it takes to make us happy :-)

10) Che (The Desserts) *sigh*
We tried dozens of Vietnamese desserts but here are some of our favourites :-
Che Chuoi Chug – A sweet soup made by boiling a mixture of bananas, tapioca pearls, coconut cream, and peanuts. This rich and creamy pudding is the perfect end to a thoroughly Vietnamese meal
Rau Câu Trai Dùa – This simple jelly made from fresh coconut juice and agar agar. It’s probably the most refreshing dessert you’ll ever have. Definitely our favourite!!
Sua Chua – Traditional Vietnamese yogurt, usually made with some sugar or condensed milk in addition to milk. The resultant Sua Chua is delicate and scrumptious – the tartness of traditional yogurt is balanced by the sweetness of condensed milk/sugar. Its light texture is perfect for Vietnam’s hot weather. Vietnamese people love having Sua Chua throughout the day – who are we to say no? :-)
Sùong Sào – One of the most popular drinks in Vietnam, Sùong Sào aka Grass Jelly, is usually served with a generous helping of coconut milk or sweet soup. The wobbly jelly is made from a herb belonging to the mint family, which is supposed to have medicinal properties. We were told that grass jelly can cure fatigue within minutes – hmmm!

11) SNAKES AND CROCODILES??!!
We couldn’t end this article without talking about an issue that’s been disturbing us. In parts of Vietnam, snakes and crocodiles are an intrinsic, albeit unusual, part of the street food culture.

Now when it comes to food, Vid and I love trying out local delicacies and don’t shy away from sampling wonderful and weird things while travelling. From finger-licking street food in Mauritius to  pig’s intestines in France, we’ve had it all.

But I will admit I was really disturbed when I saw a snake being brought to a customer’s table, killed in front of said customer, and its beating heart swallowed by the waiter as a proof of machismo. What’s more, the snake’s blood was then drunk to loud cheering (It is said to enhance virility!). I actually recorded the whole thing on video, but it’s too disturbing to upload it here.

The trouble is I can’t explain why it was revolting. Is it just because it’s out of the ordinary? Is it any different from a pig’s snout on sale in Spain or goat’s head in Morocco? Isn’t travel all about respecting (and accepting) local customs? After much thinking I still don’t know which side of the debate I’m on?

The Perfume Pagoda

One of the most popular excursions on the outskirts of Hanoi is The Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong). The Perfume Pagoda, contrary to what its name may indicate, is a set of pagodas and Buddhist temples located 70 kilometres south-west of Hanoi, on top of the mountain of the Perfume (Ha Tay Province). In addition to being one of the most famous spiritual places of Vietnam, the Perfume Pagoda is a natural with views and incredible landscapes. North Vietnam tours Packages

Tour of the Perfume Pagoda

To get to the Perfume Pagoda, we have to take a bus from Hanoi, which usually takes 2 hours to reach the Jetty Ben Duc. Once on the Jetty we will have to mount them on a metal red boats pushed by oars, with capacity for 6 people, which will lead us through the Yen saw River until reaching the foot of the mountain of the Perfume (Huong Son). Halong Indochina Sails cruise

The Perfume Pagoda is located in the interior of a cave to the top of the mountain of the Perfume, to be able to access it well can climb a long and steep staircases road (4 km, usually takes 1 hour) take the cableway that will leave us at the top of the mountain (option we recommend) where will begin our visit the pagodastemples and caves that make up the tour by the Perfume Pagoda. PANDAW CRUISE MEKONG

The Embarcadero Ben Duc

Although you can go directly overland from Hanoi up the same mountain of Perfume, no doubt recommend stop at the Jetty Ben Duc and take a rowing boat. Price round the 2€ per person but worth it, since it is one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of all visit parts.

The Perfume Pagoda

In Ben Duc wharf have wooden boats and boats painted metallic red. Each barge has a number that we have to aim if we use the same boat to return from the Perfume Pagoda. In the boats usually fit 6 people and the river walk Yen Vi 45 minutes.

As a curiosity, we know that in 1998 he tried to replace these boats rowing by motor boats in order to transport tourists and visitors faster. Fortunately this initiative did not prosper and today we can enjoy a peaceful and quiet ride.

The Rio Yen Vi

To reach the mountain of Perfume will have to navigate the 4 kilometers of the River Yen Vi (or River Yen), a gentle river surrounded by Karst formations in the style of Tam Coc punctuated by a landscape of green grass, rice fields and crops of medicinal herbs. Usually be delayed one hour to travel the river, to which must be added the same time to return.

The Mountain Cableway Perfume

After landing the Yen saw River, we have an 4 km climb to the top of the mountain of the Perfume, this ancient road is of Earth and stones that added to the tropical climate of Vietnam will make dent in our legs. As an alternative, by a price 2€ / way can you ride the cable car that climbs in less than 5 minutes to the top of Perfume mountain, more than option recommended since not everyone is able to climb the steps of 4 kilometers from the River to the Perfume Pagoda temples complex.

For those have minimal physical condition, we recommend you go up to the Perfume Pagoda by cable car and walk down the road, which offer spectacular views of the area.

The first temples that make up the Perfume Pagoda dating from the 17TH century, built by a Buddhist monk who was in search of spiritual enlightenment. During the following years, due to the beauty of the place, we were adding new buildings and pagodas, of says that in this place there were more than a thousand temples, but after the indochina war against the French, many of them were destroyed.

Although they needed several days to visit this vast place, highlights from the Perfume Pagoda are Den Trinh shrine, Thien Tru pagoda, the Pagoda Hinh Bong, Giai Oan Pagoda, the Thanh Son Pagoda, Huong Tich cave and the temples Long Van, Cay Khe, Tuyet Son y Mau Me.

Recommendations to visit the Perfume Pagoda

The visit to the Perfume Pagoda vary much if we go when turnout is low or if instead visited the resort in high season.

At the Perfume Pagoda is the busiest time during festivals (usually between February and March) and also during the lunar new year (Tet Festival). If you visit this place during those dates, must be taken into account that we will share with thousands of people visit (some years figures of 60,000 people has been achieved).

If possible, we recommend you visit the Perfume Pagoda outside these dates or during weekdays, in order to enjoy this spiritual place without crowds (in the following photos have the Perfume Pagoda a day with few people and one day maximum number of visitors during festivals).

As a final recommendation does not hurt to bring an umbrella or parasol to protect us from the sun during the boat ride on the Yen Vi river, especially in the summer months.

Our walk along the River Yen saw ends at the Den Trinh shrine which is the start of our visit to the Perfume Pagoda. The literal translation of this place is the sanctuary of the presentations, where the tradition instructs burn sticks of incense to the gods of our presence and that we granted good luck for the road that begins.

This sanctuary also called Temple Den Trinh, is nothing more than a striking stone structure equipped with two heights with 5 arches in on the floor below and a note, at both ends of the door have statues of elephants.

Thien Tru Pagoda

After a visit to the Den Trinh shrine the next stop before ascending to the top of the mountain of the Perfume is the Thien Tru Pagoda, also called Pagoda Chua Nhãn (outer pagoda). The literal translation of Thien Tru is the kitchen of the sky, from name of Vietnamese legend and imagination in which the rocks of the mountain resemble a Cook working in your kitchen. Perhaps this natural enclave surrounded by rocks and green forests not resembles a kitchen, and a chef, but the beauty of the place anyone can put it in doubt.

The Thien Tru Pagoda was built in the 18th century by Emperor Le Thanh Tong, made of brick and fitted with decorative curved roofs who remember to the Temple of Literature Hanoi.

Destroyed and subsequently rebuilt in 2 occasions, the highlight of this Pagoda which is one of the many temples of the Perfume Pagoda complex, is a monolith of granite called Tower Thuy Tien is located in the middle of the courtyard of this Pagoda, in that same courtyard have other sculptures with the shape of dragons, etc... Although one of the most photographed spots of this Pagoda is the exterior door, 2 heights with 3 arches on each height from which we can see the Pagoda.

For those travelers who want to spend the night at the Perfume Pagoda, near Thien Tru Pagoda of small lodges can be found and places to sleep.

Tien Son Cave

A few meters from the Pagoda Thien Tru Tien Son cave, famous for his 5 sculptures in granite and suggestive ways to the walls of the cave we have. These battered walls being sound like a traditional percussion instrument Vietnamese called Khanh, whose sound resembles the sound of a Bell.

Huong Tich Cave (Cave of Perfume) and Perfume Pagoda

One of the most interesting parts of the visit to the Perfume Pagoda is the Huong Tich cave (also called Cave of the perfume), discovered thousands of years ago (the Vietnamese say that this cave is similar to the mouth of a dragon). We descend 120 stone steps from the main road to gain access to the inside of the cave of the Perfume, which contains the well-known Perfume Pagoda, main pagoda of the complex with a very striking altar, several statues of Buddha and other historical characters and also a 1.24 bronze Bell meters height.

The highlight of this cave is an inscription engraved on the rock dating from the year 1700 which says the cave more beautiful under the sky of the Southeast.
The interior of the Huong Tich cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, where Vietnamese have been giving names based on forms that evoke these elements, this mode can find stalactites shaped rice plant, forms that resemble children, trees of gold and silver, etc...

Popular beliefs are still many couples who have no children to this place for the birth of your firstborn pray.

A curious fact about the entrance to the cave entrance Perfume is that this is said to find the way to heaven, you have to go down the road to hell, referring to the stone steps and entrance ways suggestive of cave.

The Perfume Pagoda

We have the Perfume Pagoda in Huong Tich cave inside. The cave, which is 50 meters high is lit by the rays of Sun that enter from the main entrance and also by the lights of candles to the pilgrims and believers left in place. The altar of the Perfume Pagoda, known for his sculptures of Buddha.

If we are lucky during our visit to the Perfume Pagoda perhaps we are making offerings to Buddhist monks, praying with incense sticks and singing hymns in honor of Buddha.

This place in Vietnam, Perfume Pagoda, is the scene of many legends, popular songs and place of inspiration for poets, philosophers, writers, painters and all kinds of artists.
Recommendations to visit Huong Tich Cave

Inside the cave often cold, so we recommend you bring warm clothes and especially not enter directly if you have traveled the way up to the mountain of Perfume walking, because the sudden temperature change can play tricks.

Festivals in Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda is a perigranacion of the Vietnamese people during the first months of the lunar calendar (February to March) coming en masse to pray and make offerings to have luck and prosperity in the year that begins.
Traditionally a Vietnamese pilgrims can spend 3 days touring and praying for all the temples of the complex of the Perfume Pagoda.

The most important festival, called the Perfume Pagoda festival is held on 15 to 20 of the second month of the lunar calendar. This place also hosts other celebrations during the first day of the lunar year (Tet Festival) and also the 6 day of the first month of the lunar calendar. These dates mean celebrations during the months of February and March.

As a curiosity, we know that this festival is a popular place for young people to find a partner because legend has it that this magical place is the ideal place to begin a romance.

The Perfume Pagoda is located 70 kilometers southwest of Hanoi in Ha Tay province.

Traversing to the Perfume Pagoda

Best to go to the Perfume Pagoda is to hire an excursion at any tourist office in Hanoi (in the old town there are many agencies). The average price for a whole day trip round the 30€, it is important to look at the price includes the entrance to the cable car.

If we want to go to the Perfume Pagoda for free, we will have to take a bus from Hanoi to Ben Duc Wharf, if on the other hand we don't want to make the boat trip along the River Yen saw (walk that we recommend you do), you should take a bus from Hanoi to the perfume mountain. From the center of Hanoi, take the bus No. 1 to Ha Dong (Ha Ðong) and take the bus No. 75 to perfume (Chùa Huong) pagoda.

The displacement bike or ride to the Perfume Pagoda not recommended, since the pier Ben Duc have to park the bike in a secure place and also because the road through the village Van Dinh is not very comfortable. The taxi to the Perfume Pagoda is very expensive compared to the price of an organized tour or a bus for free.

The entrance to the Perfume Pagoda is free, the ticket to the cable car costs 2€ / way and boat trip along the River Yen saw costs 2€.

The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street

The glamorous city of Da Nang has variety of stunning attractions, from beautiful beaches and natural destinations to amazing Ba Na Hill and outstanding architectures. Especially, on the left side of poetic Han River, there is a very alluring and fantastic street called Bach Dang Street. It is considered as the most charming street in Da Nang city with perfect position and perfect view. Travel Centre Vietnam tours
 Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street
Bach Dang is not only an ideal place to see the whole wonderful view of Da Nang city, but also has a lot of historical relics, cultural beauty and notable architectures such as bridges, buildings, etc.
Splendid embankment
Bach Dang Street runs along Han River. Some people compared Bach Dang Street as a bulwark embracing the city or as the image of a sweet mother hugging her child. The street brings distinctive creation of architecture as a highlight of the city. It is also featured by a lot of stunning natural sceneries. Jasmine Cruise Halong bay
The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street
Walking along the street, you can see and feel the vibrant city of Da Nang with high-rise buildings, extremely impressive bridges including Han Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Thuan An Bridge as well as the poetic beauty of Han River. You can stand on the street or on bridges to see other destinations of Da Nang such as Son Tra peninsula or Ngu Hanh Son. Mekong eyes cruise

The witness of history

Bach Dang Street has existed for a very long time, since the city has name of Tourance. In the past, it is an important street in Da Nang’s transportation with many key buildings, cultural centers put on it. A part of the street was a crucial trade port, where was very crowded with foreign ships. Han Market, a very big market of Da Nang was held on the street. There was also a train station built in French Colonial time. Other remarkable buildings were French Cutural Center (today is Da Nang Library), Cham Museum,…

The most charming street in Da Nang city – Bach Dang Street

Best place in holiday
In New Year Holiday, Bach Dang Street is covered with colorful flowers, making an outstanding version of flower street of Nguyen Hue (Ho Chi Minh City). The street along Han River is more beautiful and charming because of many different species of blooming flowers.

In other holidays or festivals, Bach Dang Street with a lot of advantages in aesthetics, position and space is always used to celebrate.
Visiting Da Nang city, one of the first thing you have to do is hiring a bike or just walking by your foot to make a tour on Bach Dang Street.