Vegetarian eating in Vietnam – same, same but different!

Vietnam is not only a rather peculiar country of North Asia with extremely friendly and helpful people but its vegetarian regional menu is also worth discussing. The majority of Vietnamese population is meat-eaters, however, there are those who prefer vegetarian cuisine and pay much attention to the issue of their nutrition and health. Many meals are prepared and sold in the streets. Therefore, you will probably need some extra guidance to thoroughly study the Vietnamese vegetarian menu.

Speaking about vegetarian regional menu, it's important to pay attention to the basic features of vegetarianism and peculiarities of the meals the entire vegetarian used to eat. Since, it's a common knowledge that vegetarianism is referred to the practice of not eating meat and its all possible by-products. This means that, vegetarians are the people who exclude from their daily meals beef, poultry and most of dairy products or eggs. However, there are several types of vegetarians and some of them still eat a number of dairy products. The majority of vegetarians also don't eat the products derived from animal carcasses including tallow, lard, rennet, gelatin, cochineal, etc. It's interesting to mention the new tendency present in vegetarianism of not wearing clothes, shoes or accessories made from animals (for example, silk, leather, fur and feather).

The abundance in fresh vegetables and fruit!
Whereas vegetarian cuisine in the West often means a bland plate of grilled vegetables or strange faux meat products, Vietnamese vegetarian fare sticks to familiar flavors and ingredients. Like it is the case with many other South-Asian countries, the Vietnamese vegetarian menu that features fish and meat as seasonings and condiments is something to talk about. Speaking about the Vietnamese cuisine, it's impossible not to mention about its abundance in fresh vegetables and fruit. However, these vegetables and even various tofu dishes are often made with pork, meat broth or fish. Sometimes, Vietnamese vegetarian regional menu includes all the mentioned three ingredients. Some professionals in sphere of vegetarianism consider Vietnamese menu to be among the most outstanding and significant cuisines on Earth (along with the African-American vegetarian menu). Many tourists who visit Vietnam often state that food and specific regional menu is one of the important reasons to visit the country.
It's impossible to speak about Vietnam and not to tell you some words about the well-known dishes included in the Vietnamese vegetarian menu. Vietnam cuisine is full of such outstanding delicates as vegetarian version of pho, Vietnamese meat and noodle soup, noodle-rice shacks, vegetable soups, sweet-and-sour cauliflower, stir-fried noodles and vegetables... For those seeking meatless fare for dietary reasons, religious leanings, or just personal preference, there are a handful of well-run and exciting Vietnamese vegetarian restaurants in the city worth getting to know. You would imagine that, in a society where roughly 85% of the people are practicing Buddhists, vegetarian restaurants could be found on every corner. Thus, it won't be an exaggeration to say that Vietnam offers a warm welcome to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians nowadays.

A place to enjoy?
When Dang Hong Diem - a fifty-one-year-old retired electrical engineer- decided to open a vegetarian restaurant, she wanted "to create a relaxed atmosphere without the loud music that so many others have now. I also wanted simple and elegant service." Anyone who has been to Nang Tam, the latest addition to Hanoi's gourmet scene, knows Diem has succeeded. The restaurant shows off a wide range of Vietnamese dishes while answering the demand for vegetarian food in Hanoi. She settled on a vegetarian restaurant because her foreign friends said there was not a good one in Hanoi. As the menu explains, she then named her establishment Nang Tam after the Cinderella-like character in a Vietnamese fairytale who wins her prince with her home cooking.
Diem originally spent months touring the country collecting recipes and ideas. The menu includes the regional specialties she tasted as well as a blend of Vietnamese and Western favorites. There are thirty vegetarian dishes to choose from and daily specials made with pork, fish or chicken for meat-eaters.

A warm corner in Nang Tam restaurant

Carrots, tofu and mushrooms are used to replace the meat in dishes like roast duck and beef salad. For a first course, we recommend the creamy potato soup. Popular main courses include snowballs or tuyet hoa, a deep-fried combination of grated potatoes, chopped mushrooms and croutons. Also popular are the spring rolls, a vegetarian version of the traditional nem. The breaded chicken croquettes or ga tam bot ran are actually cauliflower bouquets dipped in a batter and deep fried. The stuffed cabbages or bap cai nhoi are another favorite. You can finish your meal with a fruit tart and a cup of coffee.
In addition to the food, clients are impressed with the helpful service and hospitable attitude. Classical music and a working fireplace add to the ambiance as ambassadors and students mix with Vietnamese businesspeople. "It's one of those hidden treasures," says American tourist Nancy Howe. "The portions are just right and the prices are reasonable."
Nang Tam is not easy to find, though it is definitely worth the trouble. Just down the street from the Cambodian Embassy, a sidewalk sign advertises Com Cay Nang Tam or Vegetarian Restaurant. Located at 79 Tran Hung Dao, Nang Tam is set off the street behind a yellow French colonial building that is now home to the Financial Times. The restaurant's ten small tables are usually full so reservations are required, especially for dinner.
Even you are not a vegetarian; please do not hesitate to try this kind of food in our country because it will give you the unique taste with the frequent ingredients! That is “same, same but difference!”

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Posted in: Food

Vietnamese Cuisine

Food and eating habit are one of criterions to value a nation’s culture, life as well as living standard. To some people, value a dish isn’t simple to measure the nutritious level, to see the decoration or to know its taste but to find out the relation between food itself and natural characters of the place where people live.
In general, there is something in common and differences between Vietnamese cuisine in the North, the South and also in the Middle. Materials, spices, way of cooking, as well as serving are dominant characters which flexibly changed from place to place in this country.
Vietnamese food has long been appreciated in France, yet, it was the U.S residents who discovered its fine features. Vietnamese chefs like to refer to their cooking as "the nouvelle cuisine of Asia." Indeed, with the heavy reliance on rice, wheat and legumes, abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables, minimal use of oil as well as treatment of meat as a condiment rather than a main course, Vietnamese food has to be among the healthiest on the planet.
The main features.
Cuisine in the country with more than 70,000,000 people differs strikingly between the north, south and central regions, but two key features stand out.
Firstly, rice plays an essential role in the nation's diet as it does throughout Southeast Asia. Humorous speaking, Vietnamese is noodle-crazy. You have seen regularly the appearance of noodle in their breakfast, lunch and dinner, in homes, restaurants and at roadside stands. Noodles are eaten wet and dry, in soup or beside soup, and are made in different shapes and thicknesses of wheat, rice and mung beans such as bun cha, Cao Lau, Hue beef noodle, bun rieu…Rice is also a main ingredients for making banh chung, banh bao, banh xeo, banh beo, xoi…
Secondly, no meal is complete without fresh vegetables and herbs. Thanks to the tropical climate, fresh vegetables are available all the year round. As the result, dishes with fresh vegetable become familiar with every family, especially with poor people in the old days. Some popular dishes are canh, goi ngo sen, nom du du, rau muong, ca phao…Vietnam can also be considered as a tropical paradise of dessert and beverage with che, sugarcane, fruit smoothies, bubble tea…
With different cooking methods, different dishes were made, extremely enjoyed and gradually popularized in the country. A key portion of every meal from the North, the Central to the South is a platter containing cucumbers, bean threads, slices of hot pepper, sprigs of basil, coriander, mint and a number of related herbs found principally in Southeast Asian markets.
Food of three regions
Vietnamese cuisine reflects its geography and history. Geographically, it consists of two great river deltas separated by a belt of mountains. Vietnamese describe their country as two great rice baskets hung on a carrying pole. The Red River Delta surrounding Hanoi provides rice for the residents of North Vietnam. The tremendously fertile Mekong Delta, centered by Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) produces rice plus a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
As a former colony of China, Vietnamese adopted not only the Confucianism, Buddhism, but also the habit of eating by chopsticks. Due to its proximity to the border, North Vietnam reflects more Chinese influence than central or south. Soy sauce rarely appears in Vietnamese dishes except in the North. It is replaced by the most important and common ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine - fish sauce or nuoc mam and shrimp paste. In the North, fish - dipping sauce is usually used plain or almost mixed with nothing. In the South, sugar, vinegar or lemon juice are added to weaken the sauce’s smell while in the Middle, people mixed the sauce with some chilly.
Actually, in the North, dishes with salty taste seem to be much preferred to suit the chill weather. On the contrary, the Southern cuisine is a combination between sweet and sour. Foods of the Middle are famous for its hot but sensitive taste that closely links with eating habit set for hundreds of year by royal families
Northern cuisine exhibits fewer herbs and vegetables than the other regions because its climate is less hospitable than the Mekong Delta. For heat, North Vietnamese cooks rely on black pepper rather than chilies.
The royal tradition in the Central region goes back beyond the recent Vietnamese monarchy to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The royal taste reveals itself in the preference for many small dishes placed on the table at once. The more lavish the spread, the wealthier the household. However, even the poorer families are likely to have multiple dishes of simple vegetables.
Style of cooking
The Vietnamese cook their food in a variety of ways, from deep fry, stir fry, boil to steam. Unlike the Chinese, the Vietnamese use a minimal amount of oil while cooking. Their purpose is to preserve the freshness and natural taste of food as much as possible. Hence, Vietnamese cuisine is often considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world.
A typical family meal
A typical Vietnamese meal (lunch or dinner) will include steamed rice, a soup dish to eat with rice, a meat or fish dish and a vegetarian dish (either stir fried or boiled).
Vietnamese do not eat in separate servings; however, food is placed in the middle. Each member of the family has a small bowl and chopsticks which allow him or her to take food from the table throughout the meal.
Though there were many rises and falls through the time and historical events, including cultural crosses between Vietnam and other countries, Vietnamese cuisine is always deep and strong in identity. It reminds people of the folk creation and adaptation to nature. Increasingly famous worldwide restaurants have sprawled over the globe, yet, no Vietnamese food abroad can equal in flavor or quality to the one made in Vietnam itself. In brief, Vietnamese cuisine depends heavily on rice grown in water paddies throughout the country with dishes varying from simple everyday meals to most complex dishes designed for the King. Reaching a balance between fresh herbs and meats as well as a selective use of spices, Vietnamese food can be considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.

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Posted in: Food

Come to My Tho for tasting Hu Tieu

Hu Tieu (My Tho noodle soup) is a traditional dish, so specific to Southern Vietnam. As a Chinese long-aged dish, this food was reciped to taste My Tho delta people to become well-known nationwide.

Back in the 1960s, a shop in My Tho, 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City started serving this dish. Ever since then, its reputation has grown to become a very well known meal in Vietnam. It is said that the most delicious noodle soup is made with Co Cat rice, from the most famous rice growing area of My Phong village, a suburb of My Tho City.
My Tho seafood noodle soup is different from Chinese noodle soup, Nam Vang soup, as well as Hue beef noodle soup. The intersting thing is its secret recipe. In stead of herbs and lettuce, you will be tried the flavour of soy bean, lemon, chili, and soy sauce.
How does it taste?
The sweet aroma of the broth comes from the meat, dried squid, and special condiments. Not less important is the broth to cook from shinbone, pork, squids, additives and seasonings to taste subject to family secret as revealed by Chef Ba Chau to a well-selling shop in Trung Trac Street, My Tho City.
Taken as a national dish and something to recollect the delta land of My Tho, this noodle soup reciped in the Southern cuisine is second to none in meeting with various appetites of both oriental and western diners.
Can you find a bowl of Hu Tieu in Ha Noi?
You are in Hanoi, and wondering if such a My Tho’s specialty appears in Hanoi or not. Of course, My Tho noodle soup comes up quite often in many streets of Hanoi. It is better to ask your hotel receptionist to recommend a place nearby or you can refer to the following reliable address: Arab Kebab, 9B Thai Van Lung Street, Ha Noi.

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Posted in: Food

Fortune Hotel

Address: 3 Bui Thi Xuan St., Da Lat
Room: 39

Fortune Hotel is a warm small mini hotel with is near to the city's center, Doi Cu 18 holes golf course and Xuan Huong Lake. Therefore, it will be a good choice for particularly independent tourist here.

Location

The hotel is located nearly at the heart of Da Lat. It is close to Doi Cu 18-hole golf course and Xuan Huong Lake.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in bief

All 39 rooms are elegantly designed and excellently furnished with modern amenities to ensure a splendid accommodation experience. The modern facilities will bring you the unforgettable stay.

Around Hotel

Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace or Dinh 3
Lat Village
Chicken Village
Domaine De Marie Convent
XQ Dalat Hand Embroidery
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Crémaillère Railway
Dreaming Hill
Valley of Love
Tuyen Lam Lake
Prenn Falls
Datanla Falls
Lang Bian Mountain

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 2 star,Hotels in Da Lat

Empress Dalat Hotel

Address: 5 Nguyen Thai Hoc St., Da Lat
Room: 20

Situated on a hillside overlooking Xuan Huong Lake, the hotel offers a wonderful view. This extraordinary property features a mere 19 rooms and suites in a style of Mediterranean villa. Villa decorated with charming, colonial style influence complete with Italian tiles and old wood finish.

Location

The hotel is situated on a hillside in the west of Xuan Huong Lake, just a short walk to the central market. The location offers the very best views of Dalat and makes it easy for you to access banks, offices, restaurants, shops and major tourist attractions in town.

Highlights Empress Da Lat Hotel boasts the very good dining options with a cozy restaurant where an array of fabulous Western and Asian dishes are served. You may also enjoy your meals in its open and tranquil courtyard overlooking the stunning Xuan Huong Lake.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

19 rooms & suites surround a cozy courtyard, most overlook the lake. Rooms are equipped with: AC, mini bar, IDD phone, satellite televisions, and private bathroom with hairdryer. General room facilities of Empress Hotel Dalat at Dalat include air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar, hairdryer and television.

Around Hotel

Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace or Dinh 3
Lat Village
Chicken Village
Domaine De Marie Convent
XQ Dalat Hand Embroidery
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Crémaillère Railway
Dreaming Hill
Valley of Love
Tuyen Lam Lake
Prenn Falls
Datanla Falls
Lang Bian Mountain

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 4 star,Hotels in Da Lat

Lavender Hotel

Address: 208-210 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, Hochiminh City
Room: 66
Price From: 78.00 USD

Lavender Hotel is a part of Dai Nam Investment Trading and Services Limited Company, which focuses on investing in real estates, office or apartment buildings, restaurants, hotels and many other relevant business fields. Lavender held its opening ceremony on 20th May, 2008. It is recognized as a completely new three-star standard hotel in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Location

- Situated in city center
- 200 meter from Ben Thanh market
- 15 minutes for walking to photo-stop such as: Independent Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral
- 30 minutes for driving to international and domestic airport

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The hotel offers 66 rooms which have been designed not only to create the elegance of a specially customized architecture but also to establish an intimate space to make you feel quite at home. Hotel facilities of Lavender Hotel consist of Saigon View Restaurant and bar. It serves delicious Western and Asian delicacies with delightful drinks. Wonderful views of outside locales make your feast more relishing.

Around Hotel

Notre – Dame Cathedral
War Remnants Museum
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Binh Tay Market
China Town
Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Kim Do Royal Hotel

Address: 133 Nguyen Hue Avenue, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
Room: 138
Price From: 132.00 USD

General information

Kim Do Royal City Hotel is a 4-star venue that offers a level of service and comfort designed to ensure that both business and leisure travelers who visit this emerging and bustling new gateway city of Asia will find charming hospitality and personalized service.

Location

Having a great location for business or sightseeing, this small hotel provides personal service in this bustling and exciting emerging Asian city. It is near the beautiful Municipal Theater, City Zoo, museums and the Ben Thanh market. It is a short stroll to the Saigon River where a sunset cruise brings you to the Binh Quoi Tourist Village for a glimpse into the past as well as a cultural show.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The Room Facilities at Kimdo Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City are wonderful. Guests residing here are all praises for the excellent amenities which make your stay all the more luxurious and comfortable. The rooms of the hotel are categorized into premier deluxe, super deluxe, orient deluxe, royal deluxe and executive suites. It is the Room Facilities at Kimdo Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City which makes it one of the best hotels in the country.

The guests are very pleased with the amicable services of the hospitality staff. The room service comes to help you even at the wee hours of night. The rooms are very well decorated and provide you with ultimate comfort and luxury. The rooms give a spectacular view of the vicinity of the hotel. One gets to have the real feel of city life while staying here. The soft wall colors, stylish furniture and the well kept interiors give the rooms a classy look. The guests feel pampered with the sophisticated services and superb amenities of the hotel.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 4 star,Hotels in HCM

Hoang Hai Long Hotel

Address: 62 - 64 Pham Hong Thai St., Dist. 1, Hochiminh City
Room: 60
Price From: 62.50 USD

Whether you are on business trip or just to discover our charming country, we are always with you to make your stay most comfortable and enjoyable. Just opened in June 2008, the hotel is brand new. The warm, friendly and professional hospitality will bring you a memorable experience of a home away from home.

Location

Hoang Hai Long Hotel is situated right in Ho Chi Minh City’s main business and tourist district, within walk distance of major’s restaurant, bank, only 25 minutes drive from the airport, 10 minutes drive from Reunification Palace & Notre Dame Cathedral, and 4 minutes walk from Ben Thanh market.

HighlightsHotel includes 60 guest rooms; all are brand new with modern equipment. The hotel restaurant offers choices of both Asian and Western cuisine to suit both taste and mood. The meeting and banquet room can hold up to maximum 50 participators for meeting and 80 for cocktail party.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

To ensure your tranquil rest, all the 60 well-appointed accommodation units are brilliantly decorated and neatly maintained, thus creating a wonderful atmosphere to relax. To meet your personal needs, all the helpful amenities are expose for your utilize. Hoang Hai Long Hotel provides a health club, complimentary breakfast, a fitness facility, and a business center.

Around Hotel

Notre – Dame Cathedral
War Remnants Museum
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Binh Tay Market
China Town
Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

First Hotel

Address: 18 Hoang Viet St., Tan Binh Dist., Hochiminh City
Room: 108

If you are looking for a hotel, which is near the airport for a short layover plus close enough to the city, then this would be First Hotel. You can also easily visit the museums, lakes, markets, and shopping malls during you stay here. First Hotel Ho Chi Minh City is easy to book - just enter your travel dates on our secure online booking form.

Location

5 min drive to the International Airport (Tan Son Nhat)
5 min drive to the International Airport (Tan Son Nhat)
15 min drive to the City Centre (Ho Chi Minh)

The First hotel is ideally located near the main International Trade Fair Center: Hochiminh City International Exhibition and Convention Center - HIECC (500 m) and shopping centers : Maximark (800 m) ; Superbowl (1 km) ; C.T Plaza (1,5 km) and sport centers: Tan Binh Sport Center (500 m) and National Defence Sport & Gymnasium Center II (800 m)

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

108 guestrooms and suites designed and furnished in traditional Vietnamese rattan style. Superior Rooms are located at the front, having one queen-size bed and a street view. Deluxe Rooms have separate living rooms, furnished with comfortable armchairs. Suites are more spacious than deluxe rooms and are provided with king-size beds. The hotel houses a variety of restaurants offering dishes from the world over such as Korean specialties, Vietnamese dishes as well as European cuisine. Nightly entertainment may be found at the Bingo Club featuring a live band every night in cozy atmosphere.

Around Hotel

Notre – Dame Cathedral
War Remnants Museum
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Binh Tay Market
China Town
Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 4 star,Hotels in HCM

Equatorial Hotel

Address: 242 Tran Binh Trong St., Dist. 5, Hochiminh City
Room: 333

Equatorial Hotel, features superior first class accommodation, designed for the leisure and business travellers. It is one of Vietnam's new international-class hotels built from ground up in Ho Chi Minh City. With a central location, only minutes to the waterfront and Cholon (Chinatown), easy access to the business, shopping and financial centers, it is good choice for those who would like to spend time efficiently in the bustling Saigon.

Location

The hotel located where the borders of the city's four main district intersect.s Tan Son Nhat International Airport can be reached conveniently within 30 - 45 minutes, while the city's major commercial and entertainment area is only a mere 8-minute drive.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The hotel features 333 guestrooms and suites, beautifully and elegantly designed with attention to detail for the utmost comfort of leisure and business travelers alike. Non-smoking floors are available. Facilities include 7 food & beverage outlets with the signature restaurants Orientica Seafood Restaurant & Bar and Chit Chat at the Café. There are State-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities which can accommodate up to 1,250 people. The hotel also houses a world-class Recreational Centre with an open-air swimming pool (a swim-up bar), gym, spa and massage services are also available.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 5 star,Hotels in HCM

Empress Hotel

Address: 136 Bui Thi Xuan St., Dist. 1, Hochiminh City
Room: 44

General information

Empress Saigon Hotel is a charming 3-star hotel that is cozy, well laid out and popular with both leisure and business travelers over the years. While not luxurious, the hotel boasts a number of upscale touches like terra cotta tile and marble. The wooden features and graceful lighting in the lobby gives the hotel a welcoming feel.

Location

Located in district 1, Empress Hotel is between the bustling downtown area and exotic China Town and within easy walking distance of the central business district. Tan Son Nhat Airport is only about 30 minutes away and 10 minutes to the city center.
Guest can enjoy the sightseeing and shopping in city center or Ben Thanh market in some minutes walking or drive. From the hotel, Ben Thanh Market is 7 km away and the City center is 1 km away.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

It boasts of 40 charming rooms, tastefully furnished with modern furniture and equipped with wonderful room facilities at Empress Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The guests can choose any room such as standard rooms, superior rooms, bachelor rooms and junior suite. The dedicated staff offers efficient room service at your call to meet your requirements anytime.

Empress hotel offers guest the use of a small fitness center, coffee shop, and sports bar. The hotel’s goal is providing all facilities that an international traveler may require at price that makes sense.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

P/S: I am working here 1 year :) and i see here is very good and friendly^^ If u stay u can ask Jackie (the bellboy) it's me :D

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Elios

Address: 233 Pham Ngu Lao, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
Room: 90
Price From: 56.00 USD

Elios Hotel enjoys its location in the heart of Hochiminh City, within walking distance of fabulous shopping as well as the city’s business and entertainment districts. They boast of eye-catching, spectacular park view and all 90 cozy rooms which are elegantly designed with your utmost comfort in mind. At Elios, the warm, friendly and professional hospitality will bring you a memorable experience of a home away from home.

Location

Located at Pham Ngu Lao Street, Elios Hotel is also near a number of attractions. The major attractions are War Remnants Museum, Reunification Hall, City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and Saigon River.

How to reach? It is pretty convenient to reach the Location of Elios Hotel in Ho Chi Minh. The Elios Hotel in Ho Chi Minh is in close proximity to the Tan Son Nhat. From all regions of Asia as well as from the west, the airport provides flight services. The city is also well connected by roadways. The popular modes of transports are bus, train, motorbikes and taxi.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

You can put up in different type of rooms like Superior, Executive, Deluxe and Standard Rooms. The Hotel Amenities and Services at Elios Hotel in Ho Chi Minh include dining facilities as well as fitness and recreational facilities. The Hotel also includes dining, fitness and recreational facilities as well.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Duxton Hotel

Address: 63 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1, Hochiminh City
Room: 198

Located right in the heart of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the Duxton Saigon is a luxury 4* boutique hotel offering a refined and relaxing environment for business and leisure travelers alike. Beside a range of deluxe rooms, executive rooms and suites, the hotel also provide a restaurant, bar, gaming centre, gymnasium, swimming pool, spa and business centre, along with several meeting rooms.

Location

The Duxton Saigon is situated on Nguyen Hue Boulevard, within easy walking distance of many of the city's most famous attractions including Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House, the Hotel de Ville, and Saigon River. The hotel is also ideally located for those who want to experience the city's bustling nightlife, from cheap & cheerful street food vendors to chic cosmopolitan nightclubs and lounge bars. For business travelers, the hotel is just 7km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 5km from HCMC International Exhibition Centre, and right in the heart of the central business district.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief
The hotel features 198 deluxe guestrooms, boasting views of the Saigon River or over the city and beyond. Furnished with contemporary Vietnamese artwork and traditional fabrics, each room offers a warm and comfortable environment for the discerning traveler. The hotel also features a well-equipped business centre, 6 well-appointed conference and meeting rooms, and a ballroom to cater to business and private events. The leisure facilities provided by the hotel include massage service, Jacuzzi, steam bath, dry sauna, gymnasium and an outdoor swimming pool.

Around Hotel

Notre – Dame Cathedral
War Remnants Museum
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Binh Tay Market
China Town
Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 4 star,Hotels in HCM

Continental Hotels

Address: 132 - 134 Dong Khoi St., Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Room: 83

The Hotel Continental Saigon, which was built in 1880, was the first hotel in Vietnam, a haven for French travelers looking for stylish accommodation after crossing the Pacific Ocean to Indochina. The Hotel Continental Saigon has borne quiet witness to the up and down of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) for more than one century, hosting mane very important people who have contributed to the success of new Vietnam. Nowadays, the Hotel Continental Saigon still keeps its original design and charm as a memory past years. Inside the long-standing building, a new generation of staff are dedicating themselves to offer travelers a wonderful and relaxing stay in Ho Chi Minh City that they will remember fondly for a long time.

Location

Location of Continental in Ho Chi Minh City is at the heart of the city center. This place is easily accessible from the major centers of the city. It will also enable you to visit the places of interest quite easily. The nearest landmark to the hotel is the Opera House. Whether you are looking for the shopping malls or you are interested in the history of this city the location of this hotel will enable you to access all kinds of interesting places.

How to Reach Continental in Ho Chi Minh City? From the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the hotel by cab. The nearest railway station to the Continental in Ho Chi Minh City is Cach Mang Thang Tam. From here, the hotel is just a short drive away.

Hotel Rooms and Facilities in brief

There are 86 rooms at this hotel. New age materials have been used to decorate and furnish the rooms. The oriental beds, the designer mahogany furniture and the carpeted floors are to be found in each of the living units. The rooms here are spacious and well lit. The light colors and earth tones provide a sense of coziness to the rooms. The building belongs to the 19th century and the rooms are provided with coffee making machines. The air conditioned apartments have en suite bathrooms that are well provided by the

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 5 star,Hotels in HCM

Chancery Hotel

Address: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dist. 3, Hochiminh City
Room: 96
Price From: 55.00 USD

General information

Ho Chi Minh City is a port city with a rich cultural heritage. Once a French colony, this city holds immense significance because of its geographical location. It is renowned for its breath taking surroundings. The Chancery Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is located in the heart of the city which gives it a strategic importance. Being one of the most famous hotels in Vietnam it attracts a lot of travelers because of its splendor and hospitality.

Location

The Chancery Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is centrally located on Nguyen Thi Minh Street and close to all the important business centers. You can reach the airport by driving for 15 minutes from the hotel. The availability of frequent public transport makes the important business centers easily accessible from the hotel site. You can also have an access to various places of historical importance.

Getting to the Hotel. It will take about 15 minutes to reach the hotel if you travel by bus from the Airport terminal. The hotel is centrally located just opposite to the Tao Dan Park and Reunification Palace.
- 2 km to the City Centre
- 5 km to the Train Station

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The rooms are well furnished and are much influenced by the western architecture. The plush interiors and well laid out stretches of greenery will make your stay at the Chancery Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City a memorable one. You can choose from a wide variety of rooms which ranges from single, double twin and triple accommodations. The rooms are air-conditioned and are equipped with TV, refrigerator, telephone with IDD facility, ironing board and tea coffee making facilities. If you want to quench your thirst then you can avail the mini bar attached to the room which serves a collection of exclusive drinks.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Caravelle Hotel

Address: 19 Lam Son Square, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
Room: 335

General information

The Caravelle has been a city landmark and recognized leader in heartfelt Asian hospitality. It hosted the world's most famous press corps during a time of extraordinary turmoil, and has been a home-away-from-home for countless dignitaries, business leader, statesmen and travelers in Saigon. The hotel is centrally located in district, opposite to the city Opera House, right in the heart of the commercial, shopping and entertainment areas of this bustling and vibrant city. In this unique world of art nouveau, its guests can re-discover the gentle art of fine and elegant living.

Location

Centrally located in the midst of Ho Chi Minh City's business, shopping and entertainment district, the Caravelle Hotel Ho Chi Minh City is just 12 kilometres away from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

All 335 rooms & 8 Suites of Caravelle offer spacious and well-equipped guest rooms: All furnished with modern decor & Brazilian teakwood, IDD telephones, electronic key systems, satellite TV, mini-bars, tea/coffee-making facilities, hair-dryers, luxurious toiletries, marbled floor bathroom, bath robes, in-room safes, and the availability for individual fax machines & computer ports. Special rooms for the disabled are available. Guests staying on Signature floors enjoy privileges for an even more relaxing stay at the Caravelle.

For busy executives, Business Centre provides excellent secretarial support. Convention, meeting and social facilities cater for up to 700. Qi Salon and Spa, a tranquil 750 square meter sanctuary, offers a wide variety of high quality health and wellness therapies, hair and beauty treatments.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 5 star,Hotels in HCM

Bong Sen Hotel

Address: 117-123 Dong Khoi, Dist.1, Hochiminh City
Room: 127
Price From: 74.00 USD

General information

The Bong Sen Hotel Saigon, the Asian styled unique 3-star boutique hotel, is strategically located on hustling Dong Khoi Street. It is also known under the name of shopping paradise which is near the city's business, entertainment and shopping district. The hotel combines a proven commercial strategy with more than 33 years of hotel industry expertise and seizes the opportunities and new distribution channels that have been opened by the internet by creating technology for hotels to distribute their room inventory and reach consumers directly.

Location

Bong Sen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is strategically situated at the Dong Khai Road that is in the first district of Ho Chi Minh City. This hotel is just few minutes away from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
How to reach Bong Sen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City?

Bong Sen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is perfectly situated at Dong Khoi Street of Ho Chi Minh City that can be accessed from various parts of the city. You can conveniently fly down to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and reach the hotel in few minutes walking time. You can also access this hotel within 20 minutes driving from national Railway Station. You will have to take a cab to reach the hotel directly. Travelers can access this hotel easily from hydrofoil ferryboat station.


Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The Bong Sen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City provides you all the amenities in your room to execute all your requirements that can appear during your stay herein. There are total 135 well-appointed and international standard guestrooms and suites spread all across the hotel. All the rooms are airy, well lit and tastefully decorated with soft and bright colors and curtains. You will get all the Room Facilities at Bong Sen Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in whichever room you prefer for your stay

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Au Lac Hotel

Address: 90 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 3, Hochiminh City
Room: 70

General information

Au Lac Hotel is named as to an old name of Vietnam in a magnanimous period of the nation. Located in Saigon center, the hotel offers guests easy access to such famous site as Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market and Saigon downtown. Also, it provides good services like feasting, relaxation and amusements. With 70 well-equipped chambers and a crew of caring, professional staff, the hotel promises to bring the guests the most memorable stay.

Highlights. Au Lac is considered as one of the budget international hotel in Ho Chi Minh City; completely satisfy customers’ needs, wants and demands. Furthermore, Au Lac also offers many promotion programs for its guests such as birthday present, free airport pick up or discount 10% for ones who stay in 3 weeks, etc.

Location

The tourists can easily access the hotel from the airport which lies outside Ho Chi Minh City. Getting the hotel by taxi can be considered as a good choice. Cabs are readily available and also cheap and comfortable

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

Offering 70 rooms, the accommodation at Au Lac in Ho Chi Minh are equipped with facilities of the global standards. The rooms are air conditioned with satellite television connection, IDD/DDD telephone connection, mini bar and refrigerator, tea and coffee making machines, in house movies facilities and also complimentary toiletries.

The hotel provides a Coffee Shop that serves international and also local cuisines. It is one of the standard hotel that incorporate fitness and recreational facilities. The Hotel Services at Au Lac in Ho Chi Minh includes prompt room services, laundry services, lobby, elevator and a very friendly and hospitable staffs.

Around Hotel

- Notre – Dame Cathedral
- War Remnants Museum
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Binh Tay Market
- China Town
- Cu Chi Tunnels

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Asian Hotel

Address: 148-150 Dong Khoi, Dist. 1, Hochiminh City
Room: 47

General information

Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s renowned District 1, the Saigon Asian Hotel creates a restful, intimate setting with quiet, personalized service to business and leisure travelers. Situated along the famous Dong Khoi Street, the hotel offers easy access to shops, theaters, museums and restaurants, which are just a few steps away. Rest and relax in classic charm. Rooms are furnished with a full range of amenities for your comfort and enjoyment.

Location

The location of Asian Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is strategically convenient and easy to reach. It is also close to all major entertainment and shopping destinations of Ho Chi Minh City. It is a short drive from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport as well. The convenient location makes it one of the most popular budget hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.

How to Reach?

Due to the central location, the Asian Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City can be easily reached from all corners of this wonderful city. If you are coming from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it takes around 10 minutes to reach the location of Asian Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City by car. From any other part of the city, you have to avail the local transport to reach the Asian Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotel Rooms & Facilities in brief

The Asian Hotel Ho Chi Minh City in Ho Chi Minh offers a total of 47 rooms that are perfectly designed with modern amenities and services. Feast within the onsite Asian restaurant which delivers an array of delicacies and deserts. Unwind with your favorite drink within the in-house Lobby Bar. The hotel offers innumerable Room Facilities at Asian Hotel Ho Chi Minh City which is worth appreciating. Apart from the well-appointed meeting room to the conference halls, from the currency exchange service to the laundry services, one is spoiled with as sorted choices.

The location of Asian Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is in close proximity to some of the well-known destinations of this fascinating city. Popular tourist sites near the location of Asian Hotel at Ho Chi Minh City are listed below:

- Saigon Opera House

- City Hall and Nguyen Hue Plaza

- War Memorial Museum

- The Saigon River

- Cu Chi Tunnels

- The Presidential Palace

- Notre Dame Cathedral

- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

- Tran Hung Dao Temple

- Emperor Jade Pagoda

Remarks:
- The above rates are inclusive of service charge and Government VAT.

Child Policy:
- No room Charge for children under 12 years old sharing room and bed with parent(s) and maximum 2 children per room.

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Posted in: 3 star,Hotels in HCM

Bun (rice vermicelli), the origin for many Vietnamese delicious dishes!

Bun (Rice vermicelli) is made of rice flour which is turned into small, circular and white threads wrapped up into small coils called Con Bun. Vietnamese rice vermicelli is a preferable as well as a popular dish!

The best rice noodles have only two ingredients: rice or rice flour, and water. Rice vermicelli are thin, translucent noodles that are similar to cellophane noodles, with which they are often confused (rice vermicelli are made from rice; cellophane noodles are made from bean starch). There are different varieties of vermicelli depending on their shape: bun roi (stirred vermicelli), bun mam (twisted vermicelli), bun la (vermicelli paper), and bun dem tram (shreded vermicelli).
Rice vermicelli noodles are delicious and easy to prepare. Let’s see how rice vermicelli dishes are prepared step by step!
Before cooking, simply soak rice vermicelli in warm (not hot) water for just two minutes. Then, in order to have a delicious bowl of rice, you should add different kinds of ingredients and vegetables. You can choose one of various ingredients that can be served with vermicelli such as: grilled pork meat, fried rice cakes, snails, fried eggs, lean meat pie, chicken, and crab soup, etc.

Do not be so surprised if you see that each region and locality, even each restaurant, has its own vermicelli dishes with their own recipes. There are a variety of ways to enjoy rice vermicelli, each dish having its own unique taste, for example: “Bun Cha” (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat), “Bun Rieu” (vermicelli and sour crab soup), “Bun Bo” (vermicelli and beef ), “Bun Oc” (vermicelli and snails) and so on.
Let’s try the very delicious taste of Bun Cha and Bun Oc! Bun Cha (Vermicelli and grilled chopped meat) includes rice vermicelli, grilled pork and spicy, raw vegetables and well mixed fish sauce. For a dish of Bun Cha, you take a dish of rice vermicelli, a dish full of vegetables and a bowl of fish sauce combined with vinegar, sugar, hot chilly, garlic and pepper. The sauce will then contain all the essential tastes, sour, hot, salty and sweet. Grilles of well cooked pork would be opened and the contents dropped into the bowl of fish sauce. There are two kinds of Cha (grilled pork) used, depending upon the cut of the meat. If the pork is cut into small pieces, it is called Cha Mieng (piece of grilled pork). If it is minced prior to being shaped into small cubes, it is named Cha Bam (minced grilled pork). Bun Oc (Rice vermicelli with fresh water snail) has fresh water snails as main ingredient. These snails will have been kept in clean fresh water for about ten hours before being boiled for the dish, to allow sufficient time for the snails to release any organic matter they may have in their shells. The boiled snails after being taken out of their shells would be cleaned. The soup for the dish is made from the water in which snails have been boiled in. To the soup is added tomatoes and several kinds of flavour and vinegar.
Rice vermicelli are a part of different Vietnamese cuisines.Walking along some streets and stopping at one rice vermicelli vendor in Hanoi or Sai Gon, you will have chances for tasting various dishes of rice vermicelli with unforgettable flavor!

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Posted in: Food

“Cơm Việt” – a different taste!

If you have ever tried “Cơm Việt” (Vietnamese plain boiled rice), you will find the difference from the boiled rice in other countries!

In an ordinary meal of Vietnamese people, together with a variety of different dishes, Com or plain boiled rice is an indespensable one, the most popular food at the main meals of the day (lunch and dinner).
Different cooking method makes “Cơm Việt” different!
In Vietnam, Com is made from different kinds of rice, typically fragrant rice is used, such as Tam Thom and Nang Huong. The main ingredients of Vietnamese plain boiled rice are commonly as follows:

Vietnamese plain boiled rice
- 1 cup of rice.
- 2 cups of boiling water.
- 1 teaspoonful of salt.
So, how can you make the boiled rice really delicious? If you have chance to see how Vietnamese people make a good pot of boiled rice, you will notice that its process is not so difficult. Firstly, pick the rice over, taking out all the bits of brown husk; fill the outside of the double boiler with hot water, ans put in the rice, salt and water, and cook forty minutes, but do not stir it. Then take off the cover from the boiler, and very gently, without stirring, turn over the rice with a fork; put the disk in the oven without the cover, and let it stand and dry for ten minutes. Then turn it from the boiler into a hot dish, and cover.
Other rice–made foods...
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Beside the above-mentioned recipe of “Cơm Việt”, the Vietnamese people created many other rice-made foods, such as: rice ball, fried rice, rice gruel, steamed glutinous rice. Among them, making a rice ball (“Cơm nắm” in Vietnamese) is so interesting! “Cơm nắm” is a Vietnamese rice dish pressed into cylinder or sphere shape, which is sold in small alleys in Hanoi by vendors. This dish is very familiar with Vietnamese people. “Cơm nắm” has become a cheap but delicious rustic gift. When being fed up with nutritious food like vermicelli or “phở”, people often look for a frugal dish like “Cơm nắm” served with roasted sesame and ground nut.

Rice ballsDo you think it is easy to make a rice ball? A lot of people may say “Yes”, and you can obey the following simple process to make perfect a rice ball. To begin with, you boil the rice in a rice cooker. Please bear in mind that you have to make rice balls while the rice is hot or else it will not stick together. Next, you wet your hands and put a pinch of salt on your palms. Then, you put rice on your hand and wad up the rice and shape like cylinder or sphere. “Cơm nắm” is served with not o­nly sesame but also other things, such as stewed fish, simmered pork or salted shredded meat. However, salted roasted sesame (and ground nut) is still the first choice. The dish is so delicious that you surely would like to taste more than once... The rice is white clear, soft and used to be wrapped in a green banana leaf, which is so attractive. However, its cover is replaced with a plastic bag or paper. The salted sesame is roasted light brown and grated, which has an appealing fragrance. “Cơm nắm” is cut into slices and served with this sesame or/and ground nut. The sweetness of rice combining with the buttery taste of sesame is so unique that can not be found anywhere in the world.
Being in Vietnam, you are strongly recommended to give you the chance for enjoying “Cơm Việt” with dishes of pork, fish, shrimp and vegetable cooked in oil, as well as vegetables, pickles, etc. Have good appetite!

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Posted in: Food

“Giò” – Vietnamese dainty morsel in Spring

On the Tet traditional tray of food according to Vietnamese culture, with traditional dishes such as Chung cake, chicken meat, spring rolls and so on, “giò” is one of the dainty morsels. Today, when “giò” almost become daily food and there are more various and attractive dishes on the tray, delicious dish of “giò” cannot be missed...

Fried pieThere are many types of “giò” such as: giò lụa (pork-pie), giò bò (beep dumpling), giò bì (pork and skin paste), giò mỡ (lean and fat pork paste), giò xào (fried pie), etc. Each type has a particular taste but the most important thing to make “giò” dish really attractive is that the fragrance of banana leaves and fish sauce combined in the piece of “giò”.
Giò xào (fried pie)
In all kinds of “giò”, fried pie is the easiest one to prepare, so families often make it themselves when Tet is coming. The main materials are parts of pork such as: ear, nose tongue, pork cheeks and “mộc nhĩ” (cat’s ear). The materials must be subjected to premilitary treatment, boiled through hot water, sliced, mixed with spices, pepper and fried.
After wrapping the fried pie, keep it in the refrigerator so that all the materials link together. The pie that is delicious must be wrapped carefully, raw materials must not be too dry and the dish will stir fragrance of the spices.
Giò bò (beep dumpling)

Beep dumpling
Also processed as fried pie, beep dumpling is often added for more fat so that it is not too dry. When cutting a piece of beep dumpling, it is slightly pink as the color of the beef. Especially, pungency and fragrance of pepper feature the typical characteristic of beep dumpling.
Giò lụa (pork-pie)
Pork is chosen to make pork-pie must be lean, delicious and fresh meat. It is continuously ground until the meat is fine. These days, the meat is ground by machine, which makes the process more quickly and helps to save the maker’s strength.
However, the pork-pie is make in the traditional way remains the delicious flavor that is different from the one ground by

Pork-piemachine, since the makers must use more strength so they take proper care of their product. Fish sauce for making pork-pie must also be tasty and fragrant. When being cut, the pie must has the color of ivory-white and the surface has some small holes, surely that the pie is so delicious!
Giò bì (pork and skin paste)
Pork and skin paste is a local specialty of Pho Xuoi (Hung Yen Province). It is also made from uncooked pork-pie and pork skin that are sliced, then wrapped into small ones like fingers. Pork and skin paste is delicious, it means that pieces of pork skin must be white, clean, boiled, cut into small ones and mixed with uncooked pork-pie. The piece of pork and skin paste is so crispy and crunchy.
In Vietnam, once try to taste these kinds of “giò”, it is certaintly that you cannot forget the tasty flavor and fragrance of the dainty morsels...

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Posted in: Food

Banh Chung (Sticky Rice Cake)

Sticky rice cakes are a Vietnamese traditional dish that must be part of Tet meals. As a matter of fact, every Vietnamese family must have sticky rice cakes among the offerings placed on the altar to their ancestors.
Bang chung is made of glutinous rice, pork meat, and green beans paste wrapped in a square of bamboo leaves, giving the rice a green colour after boiling.
According to the legend, under the reign of the Hung Kings, Prince Lang Lieu created sticky rice cakes and presented them to his father. Bang chung won high acclaims from the King who awarded the prince his throne.
Making sticky rice cakes is a very meticulous job. To obtain the best cakes, rice has to soak in water for an entire day. The pork meat must include skin and fat, the green beans must be of the same size, and the bamboo leaves must be fresh. Squaring off and tying cakes with bamboo strings requires skilful hands.
Sticky rice cakes are available at any time of the year, although one is sure to enjoy them with relatives and friends during Tet. During Tet, rice cakes are served with gio lua and hanh muoi– lean meat pie and salted sour onions.

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Posted in: Food

Com (boiled rice)

In Vietnam, com is eaten at the main meals of the day (lunch and dinner). Rice is eaten together with a variety of different dishes and is made from different kinds of rice. Typically fragrant rice is used, such as Tam Thom and Nang Huong. An ordinary meal may consist of boiled rice and the following:
Mon an kho (meal without soup) consists of dishes of pork, fish, shrimp, and vegetable cooked in oil, as well as vegetables, pickles, etc.
Mon canh (meal with soup) consists of a soup made with pork or spare-ribs, crab meat, and fish.
In the past several years, people in urban centers have begun to go out for lunch at the food stalls on the street. Consequently, there has been a proliferation of temporary food stalls along many sidewalks and public spaces in the cities. Some stalls are open until early in the morning to cater to regular customers. Around noon, owners can be seen arranging tables and benches along the pavement to form makeshift shop floors. After two or three hours, when there are no more customers, they begin to remove all of their wooden furniture, so that the place resumes its former appearance. A well served lunch for one is very inexpensive.

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Posted in: Food

Pho - Noodles

Pho is the most popular food among the Vietnamese population. Pho is commonly eaten for breakfast, although many people will have it for their lunch or dinner. Anyone feeling hungry in the small hours of the morning can also enjoy a bowl of hot and spicy pho to fill their empty stomachs.
Like hot green tea which has its particular fragrance, pho also has its special taste and smell. Preparations may vary, but when the dish is served, its smell and taste is indispensable. The grated rice noodle is made of the best variety of fragrant rice called Gao Te. The broth for Pho Bo (Pho with beef) is made by stewing the bones of cows and pigs in a large pot for a long time. Pieces of fillet mignon together with several slices of ginger are reserved for Pho Bo Tai (rare fillet). Slices of well done meat are offered to those less keen on eating rare fillets.
The soup for Pho Ga (pho with chicken meat) is made by stewing chicken and pig bones together. The white chicken meat that is usually served with Pho Ga is boneless and cut into thin slices. You could consider Pho Bo and Pho Ga Vietnam's special soups. Pho also has the added advantage of being convenient to prepare and healthy to eat.

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Posted in: Food

Gio Lua (Lean Pork Pie)

Lean pork pie is available in Vietnam only and has different names in the north and south. Foreigners as well as Vietnamese are fond of lean pork pie.
Gio lua consists of pork meat wrapped in fresh banana leaves. The little bundles are then boiled. The most delicious part of lean pork pie is the top layer since it absorbs the flavour of the banana leaves.

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Posted in: Food

Cha Ca (grilled minced fish)

Grilled minced fish has been served in Vietnam for more than 100 years. The Doan family of Cha Ca Street in Hanoi first invented this dish.
A wide variety of fish can be used in this dish including sturgeon and tuna. Tuna is low in fat, has an exquisite flavour, and few bones. The bones are separated from the meat and put into saffron water to be later used in a sauce. The fish is marinated in salt before being grilled.
What is interesting about this dish is that people can add their favourite condiments: coriander, mint, dill, shallots, and more.

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Posted in: Food

Banh Cuon (Rice Flour Steamed Rolls)

Eating banh cuon for breakfast is a great favorite among many Vietnamese.
Banh cuon is made of rice flour. Thoroughly selected rice is soaked overnight, then ground with a stone mortar. Food preservatives are put into the flour to make the rice sheets softer and smoother. A screen of cloth used to mold the rice sheets is fitted over the opening of a pot of boiling water. Flour is spread on the screen and covered with a lid. After a few minutes, a bamboo stick is used to strip the thin layer of flour off the screen. Then it is rolled up and sprinkled with fried onions.
A small village in a suburb of Hanoi is famous for its banh cuon. People there serve it with a dressing comprised of lean meat, shrimps, mushrooms, dried onions, fish sauce, and pepper.
All the ingredients are stir-fried and rolled into a banh cuon.
Banh cuon is delicious when it is very thin, white, and sticky. It is even tastier when dipped in a sweet, sour, and spicy sauce.

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Posted in: Food

Com (Grilled rice)

Grilled rice is mostly served in the fall. After collecting the rice from the fields, several steps have to be performed to obtain excellent com. After removing the grains from their hulks, the rice is wrapped in lotus leaves to keep it from drying and to allow it to absorb the lotus flavor.
Grilled rice can be found everywhere in Vietnam, but the best com is found in Vong village, 5 km from Hanoi. People in this village still use traditional secret recipes. People eat grilled rice with eggs, bananas, or sapodillas.

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Posted in: Food

Mien (vermicelli made of cassava)

Mien threads are very long and tough, made from a kind of tuber plant called cassava. When served, the long tiny flour threads are cut into smaller pieces. Like rice vermicelli, this kind of cassava vermicelli is used to make several different dishes, the most popular being Mien Ga (chicken cassava vermicelli), Mien Bo (beef cassava vermicelli), and Mien Luon (eel cassava vermicelli).
Cassava vermicelli is also used for different dishes which are stirred in oil, such as Mien Xao Thit (vermicelli and pork stirred in fat), Mien Xao Long Ga (vermicelli and chicken tripe stirred in fat), and Mien Xao Cua Be (vermicelli and sea crab meat stirred in fat).

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Posted in: Food

Bun (rice vermicelli)

Vietnamese vermicelli is a luxurious as well as a popular dish. There are different varieties of vermicelli depending on their shape: bun roi or stirred vermicelli, bun mam or twisted vermicelli, bun la or vermicelli paper, and bun dem tram or shreded vermicelli.
Different ingredients can be served with vermicelli: grilled pork meat, fried rice cakes, snails, fried eggs, lean meat pie, chicken, and crab soup, to name a few.
Each region and locality, even each restaurant, has its own vermicelli dishes with their own recipes.

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Posted in: Food

Nom (salad)

This dish is a combination of a variety of fresh vegetables, usually used in salads in Western countries. The make-up of Nom, however, is slightly different.
The main ingredients of Nom include grated pieces of turnip, cabbage, or papaya, and slices of cucumber with grated, boiled, lean pork. Other auxiliary ingredients include grated carrot, slices of hot chilly, and roasted ground nuts. These are used to make the dish more colourful. All are mixed thoroughly before being soaked in vinegar, sugar, garlic, hot chilly, and seasoned with salt.
The presentation of the dish is also very meticulous. The mixture of ingredients is put into a dish before being covered with vegetables.
To try a mouthful of Nom is to enjoy a combination of all the tastes life has to offer, including sour, hot, sweet, salty, and fragrant tastes. The dish helps with digestion at meals and parties. It can become an addictive aid to assist the real connoisseur enjoy more food.

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Posted in: Food

Banh Tom (crispy shrimp pastry)

Although Banh Tom is available almost everywhere in the country, it is best at the Nha Hang Ho Tay (Ho Tay Restaurant) on the banks of Truc Bach Lake, close to Ho Tay (West Lake) in Hanoi. While diners await the arrival of the hot fried shrimp pastry, they can enjoy the picturesque lake and landscapes offered by the vast expanse of water from West Lake and the tree-lined Thanh Nien Road.
The dish should be eaten as soon as it arrives at the table. The fried pastry is topped with red shrimps and is eaten together with dishes of spicy vegetables mixed with sweet and sour sauce.
To remind you of the local shrimping business, waiters will often tell you that the shrimps that you have ordered for your meal have just been netted in nearby West Lake. This will be a memorable meal that will ensure that you remember your stay in Hanoi.

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Faifo Dainty (Danang)

Faifo dainty is a fairly unknown Vietnamese dish named after an old street in Hoi An.
Dainty fiber is carefully made by putting rice in water containing ashes from wood found in Cu Lao Cham. Then, the rice is ground and quickly boiled to make a fibrous mixture. Dainty can be preserved only one day, which is why it is boiled and dried. Dainty fibers have a dark-yellow colour.
The filling for dainty consists of lean pork and other condiments that are stir-fried. Then, the dainty is cut into finger-long pieces that are dried and grilled. Finally, the filling is put into the dainty. For a saltier taste, one can add fish sauce. Chicken meat cut in squares combined with small shrimps can also be added to the recipe.
Although dainty is not a popular meal in Vietnam, it is still served in certain restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Nem Ran or Cha Gio (fried spring roll)

This dish is called Nem Ran by northerners and Cha Gio by southerners. In Hanoi, the introduction of Nem Ran dates back to a time when Cha Ca had not existed. Although it ranks among Vietnam's specialty dishes, Nem Ran is very easy to prepare. Consequently, it has long been a preferred food on special occasions such as Tet and other family festivities.
Ingredients used for Nem Ran comprise of lean minced pork, sea crabs or unshelled shrimps, two kinds of edible mushroom (Nam Huong and Moc Nhi), dried onion, duck eggs, pepper, salt and different kinds of seasoning. All are mixed thoroughly before being wrapped with transparent rice paper into small rolls. These rolls are then fried in boiling oil.

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Posted in: Food

Com Hen (Hue Mussel Rice)

Hot white rice is part of every meal in Vietnam, but only Hue mussel rice is served cool. Hue people, after deciding that no food should be wasted, have designed this dish using leftover rice.
This dish includes Chinese vermicelli, bamboo shoots, lean pork meat, and an assortment of green vegetables (banana leaves, mint, star fruit, etc.).
The broth obtained after boiling the mussels is used to flavour the rice. Ginger, sesame, and chili are also added to the broth. This dish is very spicy and it is not rare to see people with watery eyes and sweaty faces while eating it; nevertheless, everyone congratulates the cook for such a delicious meal.

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Tom Chua (Hue Sour Shrimp)

When Hue natives living outside the city return to their homeland, they usually have sour shrimp. Tourists also make sure to buy some jars of sour shrimp before leaving Hue.
Because of the national reputation of this dish, some cooks and merchants specialize in making sour shrimp. In the past, people made this dish at home, but now it is easier to buy it at the market.
This dish can be prepared with any kind of shrimp. The recipe includes a number of steps that must be performed in a specific order. First, the fresh, clean, and dry shrimp of approximately the same size are put in wine along with dry bamboo shoots, garlic, and chili. The ingredients are kept in a closed container at room temperature for three days. Then the container is put in a cool, dry place. After five or seven days, the sour shrimp are ready.

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Cau Mong Beef

Cau Mong beef is a specialty of Cau Mong, located 15 km from Danang, Dien Ban district, where nearly ten restaurants serve the dish. Cau Mong beef has been served for a long time and is found in many places outside Danang, such as Hoi An, Tam Ky, Vinh Dien, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The meat along with its skin is cut in thin slices, half cooked, and eaten with nem, which consists of fish sauce mixed with soy sauce, sugar, chili, garlic, lemon, star fruit, vervain, and green banana.

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Hue Beef Noodle Soup

One must have years of experience to cook excellent Hue beef noodle soup. This recipe mainly consists of shredded meat and rice noodles. Most restaurants and merchants in Hue do not make the rice noodles themselves; they buy them in Van Cu and Bao Vinh, two villages located near Hue.
Learning how to make a clear broth from bone and meat is also a difficult task, but cooks have the satisfaction of seeing customers enjoying a good meal. The secret of this recipe resides in the meat–this is why it must be bought directly from the slaughterhouse early in the morning. The meat is then shredded, boiled, and taken out of the water to obtain a delicious clear broth.
The amount of salt put in the recipe varies depending on the season; during summer, Hue beef noodle soup is served with soy bean, mint, and different kinds of lettuce; in the winter, the recipe is saltier and lemongrass and fish sauce are added.

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