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Vietnam is an extremely popular destination for tourists the world over, being at once an incredible country for natural wonders and a fascinating cultural hotpot. There are multitudes within Vietnam to explore, from bustling urban centres to quiet rural fishing villages and everywhere in between – and everywhere, there’s something incredible to eat.
Indeed, Vietnam’s food culture has arguably travelled further and faster than any other aspect of this amazing nation. Its intriguing food stories couched in tales of French colonialism and rural necessity, are richer than anything we have to say about fish and chips. But what are the foods you should be looking out for?
Pho – The National Dish
Pho is the Vietnamese dish with which almost everyone will already be familiar – it is, after all, the noodle dish that swept the West. But there is no one true pho, and healthy debate still rages on as to what constitutes a pho – particularly on Western soil, where the complex history of this national dish is often prone to whitewashing. Truthfully, you haven’t had pho until you’ve been to Vietnam. And even if you’ve eaten pho in Vietnam, you haven’t experienced pho completely.
There are regional differences in recipe and technique, to say nothing of the various optional spices and garnishes that make each bowl unique. Most are familiar with pho recipes from the south, but Vietnam’s north is thought to be the original pho – and both deserve to be sought out on their own fragrant merits. Some Vietnam tours even give you the opportunity to get hands-on with pho, and learn from the best how to make it.
Banh Mi – The Vietnamese Baguette
Though pho has its origins in Vietnam’s colonisation by the French, it doesn’t wear these origins as obviously on its sleeve as this iconic foodstuff. Banh mi is the ultimate South-East Asian sandwich, and a sandwich that requires French-style baguette in order to be a banh mi. Not only does banh mi rest on the crusty white bread of the French country, but it also incorporates other French-originating ingredients from beef to pate. A vibrant zing of decidedly indigenous origin makes this sandwich an absolute street-food must-have.
Bun Cha – A Hanoi Specialty
Moving from national dishes that have truly broken the boundaries of their nation, we come now to regional delicacies that are larger than their origins. This is bun cha, a noodle dish from Hanoi that simply must be tasted in Hanoi to be understood as the phenomenon it is.
Bun cha is a vermicelli noodle dish, wherein the noodles are a bed for delicious meatball-esque patties of ground, grilled pork. Leafy greens, herbs and dipping sauces are served alongside, and the meal is constructed to the preferences of the hungry. As with any regional delight, there will be many different interpretations to discover, from dry and fresh plates to soupy bowls.
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