The northeastern coast province of Quang Ninh is more known for its beautiful landscapes than its gastronomy. A recent visit to the area helped me discover a local specialty that is not to be missed, cha muc or fried pasted squid.
Many people usually mistake bun sung (noodles cooked with water lily) of the coastal city of Vung Tau with noodle dishes found in the Mekong Delta provinces of Tra Vinh, Soc Trang and Ca Mau.
If you ever head on a trip to Phu Yen, don't forget to try banh hoi long heo (steamed rolls made of rice-flour served with pig's inner organs), a simple dish in this central province but quite strange to the taste buds of tourists from other regions.
The Southern region of Vietnam has a system of criss-crossing rivers and canals and primitive forests that provide the land with a plentiful resource of food to make delicious dishes, including Goi cuon (salad rolls) that is one of the 12 Vietnamese dishes in the food record category recognized by the Asian Record Association.
Knowing Vietnamese noodles can be extremely helpful, as "pho" is to Hanoi and beef rice noodles is to Hue, Quang noodles is very popular in Quang Nam and Da Nang.
Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, appeals to most tourists for its irresistible charm of architecture and landscape.
The Saigon Travel and Service Company (Saigontourist) has launched a tour "Foreigners celebrate Tet in Vietnam" for foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong River Delta.
When the sun goes down, Da Lat city in Lam Dong province is lit up by the bright lights of shops, restaurants and hotels. In the cool night air, you should dress warmly to wander around the small streets exploring the local cuisine.
Coming to Sapa, apart from its splendid landscapes, tourists will be attracted by Sapa's specialties such as grilled salmon, barbecued wild pork, smoked pork and fried mushroom with meat as well as many tasty vegetarian dishes.
Thot not (coconut palm) trees are an integral part of the Khmer community in Van Giao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province. The area also attracts many tourists to witness locals making coconut palm sugar and have the opportunity to enjoy thot not fruit.
With the fast approach of winter in town, most Hanoi lovers are seeking new places for snack food and their most iconic wintry dishes are nem chua ran (fried fermented pork), banh mi thit xien (grilled pork with toast), or banh chuoi (fried banana cake).
The way of making and drinking Lotus or Jasmine tea is the treasured custom of Vietnamese people. Every cup of natural flower-scented tea captures a fraction of Vietnam's rich and vibrant culture.