Vietnam Food and Drink
Food
The cuisine of Vietnam is considered to be quite nutritious and healthy. Rice is a staple of most meals and cooking methods include grilling, frying, boiling and steaming. The colonial past of the country is reflected in the food with the north hosting a strong Chinese influence while the Hue area is spicier and has been influenced by the French and dishes in the southern parts of Vietnam tend to be hot and spicy.
Popular dishes include:
Pho: a noodle soup with meat, Pho is one of the most typical foods found in Vietnam. It tends to be very well spiced and comes in three varieties: Pho Bo (with beef), Pho Bo Tai (with rare beef fillets) and Pho Ga (with chicken).
Nem: small spring rolls filled with minced pork, prawns, crab meat, mushrooms and vegetables.
Cuon Diep: made up of shrimp, noodles, mint, coriander and pork that is then wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Banh Khoai: also known as a Hue Pancake. A pancake is made from a batter of rice flour, corn and eggs. It is then wrapped around pork or shrimp as well as onions, bean sprouts and mushrooms.
Mien ga: this noodle soup is particularly popular in the south and is a mixture of chicken, coriander, fish sauce and scallions.
Hu Tieu: chicken, beef, pork and shrimp are cooked in a broth and served over rice noodles that have been mixed with crab meat, peanuts, onions and garlic.
Drink
When in Vietnam, avoiding drinking water and ice is advisable, however, bottled water is cheap and readily available. Vietnam is a beer culture and Hanoi is the “bia hoi” or draught beer capital of the world, with draught beer being the most popular type of beer throughout the country. Interestingly, bia hoi is considered the cheapest beer in the world. There is also a wide variety of canned beers available.
Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. Traditionally brewed Vietnamese coffee is made by the cup and is served at tables whilst still brewing. It is characterized by a dense, strong taste that may require some sugar and condensed milk. Condensed milk was originally used because of its availability, however, many continue to use it.
Things to know:
Tipping is becoming more customary in Vietnam and it is certainly appreciated. Some upmarket restaurants or hotels may add a 5% service charge to bills.
Drinking age: 18
Vietnam Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Vietnam.
Learn about the history and culture of Vietnam, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Vietnam's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Vietnam for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Vietnam tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Vietnam tour considers taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages, India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
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