Joanna James
Soothing Southeast Asian vibes tinged with French colonial influence make Vietnam a wondrous destination to savour. Even in the capital Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese people still hold true to some of their traditional ways of life. Hence, you can easily find plentiful things to do to experience the true soul of Vietnam if you know where to go and what to do.
Vietnamese cuisine uses fresh ingredients from the forests, gardens, and waterways to concoct fragrant, delicately flavoured dishes. You’ll love the sensory experience of handling crispy vegetables, sweet-smelling herbs, and exotic spices. You could easily find a Quy Nhon resort to sign up for a cooking class such as the one offered by Avani Quy Nhon Resort. You can learn the art of Vietnamese cuisine, and the secrets of coffee brewing and end the session with a scrumptious feast of your creation.
Street food in Vietnam is on par with the world’s best. You can head towards Vinh Khanh Street in District 4 to find some mouth-watering street food. Grab a bowl of salty, fresh noodles and meat sprinkled with herbs or try crispy morsels of char-grilled bun cha (pork). Try to (savoury sticky rice) and finish with some egg coffee. When you are not looking for street food, find the phrase ‘com binh dan’, in a small restaurant. These mini restaurants serve hot and flavoursome ready-made meals fit for a day out as a true local.
Ho Chi Minh City is full of adventures. But the true Vietnamese spirit calls for peace and serenity too. Make your way towards the island of Binh Quoi - Thanh Da where you will find pleasantly green or gold rice fields, elegant palm trees and cafes with hammocks overlooking waterways. Alternatively, you could go to Nha Trang where white sandy beaches beckon you to relax or find a slightly sleepy fishing village around Mui Ne. Admittedly, the latter would involve a 4-hour train ride from the main city.
If you wish to shop like a local, bypass the more tourist-oriented Ben Thanh Market and head over to district 4 and Xom Chieu. This particular market tends to present a cacophony of vendors and bargaining buyers. The best time to visit the market is around 4 pm. If you wish to shop during the day, go to Vo Duy Ninh Street in Binh Thạnh District. There you’ll stumble upon an array of Vietnamese treats like frogs, duck, and many-hued luscious fruit.
The picturesque rural landscape of Hue presents the best opportunity for cycling. You can pedal along winding paths; pass by rice fields and arrow canals. Take your time to observe local life. Once you reach the Thanh Toan Bridge, pause for a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice. Make your way towards an organic farm where you can learn the art of farming and tuck into a village meal cooked with fresh produce.
It is the French colonial influence that started Vietnam’s Coffee Culture. In fact, Ho Chi Minh is a coffee lover’s haven. You can try some traditional Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk at cafes near the Notre Dame Cathedral. You could also try some single-origin hot chocolate straight from the Mekong Delta.
If you ever spend a night in Hoi An, you’ll see that entire streets light up after dusk with exquisitely crafted lanterns. These softly lit beauties mean much to the locals. They believe that lanterns usher in joy, wealth, and luck to your house. Join a lantern-making session to distress and acquire something charmingly simple yet lovely. You can choose your own colours and design a traditional lantern while gaining insights into the cultural significance of this art. As most lanterns are foldable, take yours home with joy, fortune, and bliss.
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