Vietexplorer2024

“From Arancina to Bun Cha: A Cultural Fusion of Street Food” The culinary event, “From Arancina to Bun Cha: A Cultural Fusion of Street Food,” offered a unique twist on the traditional Italian Cuisine Week in Vietnam. Held at Casa Italia in Hanoi until November 24th, the event celebrated the vibrant street food cultures of Italy and Vietnam, bringing a burst of flavor to the city. With a focus on the funkiest street food delights, the festival presented a rare opportunity to indulge in a world of culinary delights. The culinary event, a fusion of cultures and flavors, captivated food enthusiasts. A true highlight of the festival was the diverse range of street delicacies. From the famous Pizza Fritta and Porchetta to the mouth-watering Pho rolls and Banh bot loc, it was a celebration of contrasting flavors. The Italian and Vietnamese restaurants of Hanoi showcased their talents, with well-known names serving up their takes on classic dishes. The event also shone a ligh...

Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, has cemented its place as a culinary powerhouse, bagging the prestigious title of Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City at the 2023 World Culinary Awards. The World Culinary Awards, launched in 1994, is an esteemed platform that recognizes exceptional culinary destinations and tourism brands globally. Adding to the city’s culinary acclaim, renowned restaurants and hotels in Hanoi, including Hibana by Koki Restaurant and Capella Hanoi Hotel, were also acknowledged for their outstanding culinary offerings. The iconic ‘bun cha’ dish – a Hanoi specialty. Photo : Michelin Guide Hanoi’s culinary prowess was further emphasized when it was ranked among the top 15 culinary destinations worldwide by Tripadvisor’s readers in July. In 2023, Travel and Leisure magazine bestowed upon Vietnam the title of Best Culinary Destination in Asia’s Bucket List Places. The magazine highlighted Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City as must-visit destinations ...

Nước mắm ranks 22nd with a score of 4.4 out of 5 stars. It is a versatile condiment, serving as both a dipping sauce for traditional dishes and a seasoning for modern Vietnamese cuisine. It is a staple in home-cooked meals and a must-have at street food stalls across the country. In Vietnam, nước mắm is served in two forms: pure nước mắm and sweet nước mắm. Pure nước mắm is the more traditional option, often used as a dipping sauce for hot pot, steamed dishes, and boiled foods. On the other hand, sweet nước mắm is a delightful combination of nước mắm, sugar, lime juice or vinegar, garlic, chili, and water, creating a unique flavor profile. This variety is commonly paired with dishes like cơm tấm (broken rice with grilled pork), spring rolls, and bánh xèo (Vietnamese savory pancakes). Present at most family gatherings, celebrations, and street food stalls, sweet nước mắm adds a touch of sweetness and a burst of flavor to any meal. Although the basic ingredients remain the same, each h...

‘Pho’, the iconic Vietnamese dish of rice noodles, broth, and meat, is taking center stage at the upcoming festival. With tens of renowned ‘pho’ brands gearing up for the event, the preparations are in full swing to delight diners and make this annual celebration a memorable one. Co-organized by the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and Saigontourist Group, under the guidance of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the administration of Ho Chi Minh City, this festival promises to be a culinary journey like no other. A recent working session was held by the organizing team to ensure seamless planning for the festival in Seoul. This year, over 20 ‘pho’ brands will showcase the very best of Vietnamese ‘pho’ culture in South Korea, including household names such as Pho Dau, Pho Phu Gia, and Pho Thin Bo Ho – 1 Hang Tre. While traditional ‘pho’ will be the star of the show, diners in South Korea are in for a treat with unique twists on the classic dish. Get ready to indulge in ‘pho’ infuse...

K-pop superstar Daesung’s recent visit to Vietnam was a culinary delight, as captured in a 12-minute video uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday. The video offers a glimpse into Daesung’s food adventures, and by Wednesday afternoon, it had already garnered an impressive 26,000 views. Daesung enjoys a refreshing coconut smoothie at a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. Daesung’s Delightful Vietnamese Feast The video showcases the 35-year-old singer’s excitement over a variety of Vietnamese dishes. He starts with a coconut smoothie, exclaiming, “Wow! This is so good,” and giving a round of applause for the drink. His enthusiasm continues as he samples cha gio (spring rolls), marveling at the crispy batter and creamy filling. Moving on to the next dish, Daesung tries stir-fried noodles with seafood, and he is clearly impressed. “The noodles are so tasty. Wow! So delicious,” he says, savoring every bite. But the highlight of his meal is yet to come. Daesung then tucks into a roasted ...

In Taste Atlas ‘ list of the world’s 100 best stir-fry dishes, stir-fried morning glory with garlic ranked an impressive 17th, the highest placement for any Vietnamese dish. The website describes this dish as “a traditional Vietnamese delicacy that’s perfect for vegetarians” and suggests it is “best enjoyed with a side of white rice.” The secret to mastering this dish lies in blanching the morning glory before stir-frying it with garlic and a savory sauce made from salt, sugar, and fish sauce. Stir-fried glass noodles with crab. Image source: Taste Atlas Other notable Vietnamese entries on the list include stir-fried pho , which ranked 31st, stir-fried crab glass noodles at 72nd, and stir-fried spotted Babylon snails, securing the 78th spot. These dishes are beloved by food enthusiasts both within Vietnam and internationally, showcasing the diverse and mouthwatering nature of Vietnamese cuisine. Another Vietnamese delicacy that made the cut is stir-fried chayote with g...

The Vietnam Pho Festival is an annual culinary event organized by the Tuoi Tre newspaper, celebrating the iconic Vietnamese dish, Pho. This year, the festival returns for its eighth edition, showcasing the very best of Vietnamese cuisine with a focus on this beloved noodle soup. Taking place on October 5-6 at Yeouido Park, the festival will feature 40 Pho vendors from Vietnam and the RoK, offering a diverse range of Pho variations and flavors. Besides the delicious food, the festival will host a variety of engaging activities. This includes a B2B matching session, a Pho discovery event for Korean YouTubers and Pho enthusiasts, an exhibition delving into the history of Pho, and traditional folk games from both countries. Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of Saigontourist Group, addresses the press conference. (Photo: Quang Dinh/tuoitre.vn) Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of the Saigontourist Group, a key partner in the festival, emphasized their commitment to promoting Vietnamese culture an...

The “Len Men: Umami Unleashed” project is an exciting culinary journey that goes beyond celebrating fermented foods. It aims to fuse indigenous flavors with fine dining, elevating the dining experience while also addressing food security concerns. According to Chef Hoang Tung of TUNG Group (T.U.N.G dining and Å by TUNG), the project delves into the ancient culinary practices of Vietnam, with a focus on Hanoi and the northwestern mountainous region. “Our mission is to innovate and refine traditional fermented foods and beverages, elevating them to the level of sophistication expected in fine dining,” he said. A significant milestone in this project is the collaboration between Chef Tung, Jason White (former director of Fermentation at the renowned NOMA), and Daniel Hoai Tien (founder and CEO of Sông Cái Distillery). This trio embodies a shared passion for pushing culinary boundaries and celebrating Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage. The project entails exploratory trips to Lao Ca...

Tran Thi Hien Minh, Vice President of the Saigon Professional Chefs Association, proudly announced that Vietnamese chefs brought home an impressive haul of awards from the competition. Among the 40 Vietnamese participants, there were 18 gold, 26 silver, and 24 bronze winners—a testament to their culinary prowess. Minh attributed this success to the rising popularity of Vietnamese cuisine both domestically and internationally. She asserted that the record-breaking number of awards proves that Vietnamese chefs are among the best in the world and that local cuisine is gaining well-deserved recognition. Nguyen Thi Khanh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, highlighted the event’s impact on promoting Vietnamese cuisine to a global audience. She emphasized the cultural exchange aspect, with chefs from various countries coming together to share their unique culinary traditions. One of the most notable achievements of the competition was the high praise received by Viet...

Ambassadors grace the World Gastronomy Festival with their presence. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Iran) The event was graced by the presence of member countries (France, Vietnam, Lebanon, Senegal, and Switzerland), two observer countries (Argentina and Mexico), and over 300 guests from diplomatic circles and prominent local cultural and artistic figures. The Vietnamese Embassy in Iran poses for a group photo at their booth. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Iran) The Vietnamese Embassy in Iran showcased traditional dishes from their homeland, including pho, spring rolls, and banh bot loc (tapioca steamed dumplings filled with pork and shrimp). They also displayed handicrafts and the elegant ao dai . The festival fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding among embassies of the Francophone community. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Iran) Vietnam’s booth captivated the attention of festival delegates and guests. Members of the diplomatic corps and I...