I am incredibly passionate about food, which also explains my profession – a curious and hungry food blogger. The Asian continent is known for its spicy and flavorful cuisine. Every part of this continent offers a unique blend of flavors, leaving your taste buds wanting more. After exploring the local food in Thailand last month, it was time to pack my bags and head to Vietnam.
I did do some research about Vietnamese cuisine, and the options they had truly intrigued and overwhelmed me. The global popularity of the dish Pho has already provided the cult status to Vietnamese cuisine. Needless to say, I was more than excited to try out what Vietnam has in store for me.
It was easy to plan my visit to Vietnam, primarily because of the fact that the country offers visa on arrival. While you have to apply for the visa approval letter before you enter the country, the entire process is quite simple and takes very little time.
- Apply online for a Vietnam visa and wait for your approval letter. You will obtain your approval letter within 2 days. You can pay a little extra and get your approval letter within 8 or 4 hours on an urgent basis.
- Once you get the approval letter, print it out. You will need to submit that along with two passport-sized photos at the visa counter.
- Once you reach Vietnam airport, pay for visa stamping to get your visa stamped. Visa stamping fee for single entry, you will be paying USD 25, and for multiple entry, the stamping fees are USD 50.
The visa section queue at the Vietnam airport was packed. I reached there a little late and had to wait at the line for a good two hours. So make sure you run to the visa counter as soon as you get to the airport. Bathroom and snack breaks can wait. Additionally, make sure that you carry the stamping fees in cash because you are now allowed to pay via card or any digital payment mode.
Note : to avoid long queues at the airport, you can order for extra service called “airport fast track” or “visa fast track”
After hours of waiting and getting my visa stamped, I was already hungry and ready to devour the local Vietnamese cuisine. This was the start of my exploration, which continued for a good ten days. Let me tell you, Vietnam is not just a place with a beautiful landscape, you will find something delicious to eat at every corner of this country. In my ten days trip, I have explored tons of cuisine, and it is safe to say, Vietnamese cuisine has become one of my favorite global cuisines. Now if you plan to visit Vietnam, then here are some of the best cuisines that you must try –
1. Pho
Your trip to Vietnam is incomplete if you didn’t try the infamous Pho. It is the signature dish of the country that has made a global culinary mark. It is basically noodles coup that includes meat, greens, and a side of nuoc cham (fermented fish). Typically, a standard bowl of Pho contains bo vien (beef meatball), Tai (beef slices), or nam (beef flank) along with lime wedges, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and onions. The dish is priced around VND 20,000 to 30,000.
2. Goi Cuon
Goi Cuon is the Vietnamese spring rolls that comprise of vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork slices, lettuce, and basil. All these ingredients are wrapped in rice papers that are known as banh trang. The subtle flavor of Guo Cuon is accentuated by hoisin-based dipping sauce and ground chilies. It is a healthy appetizer.
3. Banh Xeo
Banh Xeo is the Vietnamese pancake that is made of rice flour, turmeric, and coconut oil. Moreover, it is filled with vermicelli noodles, beef slices, or chicken, sliced onions, mushrooms, and sprouts. You can find this flavourful dish at stalls, markets, and restaurants and is priced around VND 15,000 to VND 25,000.
4. Bun Thit Nuong
Bun Thit Nuong is basically vermicelli noodles accompanied with grilled pork. It also contains chopped lettuce, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, basil, mint, pickled daikon, etc. contrary to other noodle dishes, Bun Thit Nuong doesn’t come with any broth, however, has a side of nuoc cham sauce.
5. Com Tam
The literal translation of Com Tam is “Broken Rice.” This dish is served with green onions, fried eggs, and meat. It is one of the popular breakfast items in Vietnam. You can get Com Tam at any roadside stall for around VND 20,000. The typical topping includes suon nuong (barbecued pork chop), cha trung (steamed pork and egg patty), and bi (shredded pork skin).
These were just some of the many dishes that Vietnam offers to its visitors. While the majority of diet in Vietnam consists of meat, there are options for vegetarians as well. If you are vegetarian, you can try Xoi Chay, Banh Mi Chay, Banh Khoai Tay Chien, Dau Sot Ca Chua, Rau Muong Xao Toi, etc.
