Destination Guide

Vietnam Local Foods & Products

Posted on 14/04/202027/04/2023 by Sai Gon Web Co., Ltd

14
Apr

1. MUST-TRY DISHES IN VIETNAM

Along with the breath-taking landscapes and valuable heritage sites, the cuisine is a distinctive feature of Vietnam. Followings are some distinctive delicacies of Vietnam that visitors should try.

Pho, Bun

Obviously, no one can ignore that famous dish when visiting Vietnam. “Pho” has been widely known as Vietnamese specialty. There are many of kinds of “Pho”, depending on which ingredients are added into. Travelers can find “Pho” anywhere, from street vendors to luxury restaurants. Just a small tip, the ones where locals gather the most are the places to sit down and take a try.

The three most famous regions for “Pho” and “Bun” are Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Hue, and Saigon. The dishes from these places have different tastes, which will leave the customers in awe!

Bun Cha

This is absolutely a must-eat dish when taking a Vietnam street food tour. “Bun Cha” is the Vietnamese name of “grilled pork”, which contains two types of meat: minced pork patties and strips of meat. They are soaked into dipping soup made from fish sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and chilies. You can dress it up by adding whatever you want. There are also rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. The best way to eat is to dip all these things into the soup and take a full mouth of it. You can order some more spring rolls to make the dish better.

“Bun Cha” is even more delicious when you eat at restaurants along the streets. Do not try to find a luxury restaurant, just stop where you can smell the smoky hazes from the grilling. The place with the best “Bun Cha” is Hanoi Old Quarter, where you can get a heavenly tasty dish with a reasonable price.

Banh Cuon

“Banh Cuon” is popular as a dish for breakfast and a midday snack. The dish is made of an exceptionally thin rolled rice sheet, filled with minced mushroom and ground pork meat. Fried onion and cilantro are added as toppings. Dipping it into light fish sauce can make it much tastier.

“Banh Cuon” restaurants are easily found in every street or market in different parts of the country. Find where steams are coming up to get the fresh and hot dish, as the chefs usually make it right in front of the restaurants.

Banh Mi

Voted as one of the most delicious sandwiches in the world, “Banh Mi” is absolutely a cannot-miss dish for Vietnam Food Tour.

“Banh Mi” first appeared during the French colonization. The French people made baguette and sandwiches for their own uses, then the Vietnamese created a new variant. It is a cluster of traditional and Western culture. “Banh Mi” is actually the baguette combined with pork, pate, and various vegetables. These things are put together, then creating a great flavor.

Each region has its variant of Banh Mi. The two most famous ones are “Banh Mi Ha Noi” and “Banh Mi Hoi An”. In addition to the distinct flavor in each region, travelers can also vary their “banh mi” by adding different toppings. I’m sure that you cannot stand yourself from eating once you have tried it.

Banh Xeo

“Banh Xeo” is a crispy cake made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. The cake is pan-fried with several ingredients such as pork slices, shrimps, sliced onions, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. The best taste can be achieved when you eat it with lettuce, herbs and sweet fermented peanut butter sauce. Sometimes people use rice paper to wrap “banh xeo” and all other additional ingredients to make it easier to eat. (http://armstrongpharmacy.com) It is absolutely a great appetizer that visitors should try when having food tours in Vietnam.

Xoi Xeo

“Xoi Xeo” is a mouth-watering street food that can be easily found in outdoor markets. The dish includes sticky rice and toppings of fried onion and “mung” bean. There are also other ingredients you can add to your dish such as “Cha Lua”, steamed chicken, “ruoc” – smashed and fried salted pork, eggs, and pork belly. It is not only a dish to eat at the restaurant but travelers can also take it away for their long journey.

Almost every region has “Xoi Xeo”. It is a popular breakfast for all ages, hence the price is very cheap. You can buy one with only 5,000 VND. For the dishes with more toppings and ingredients, it may cost you about 15,000 – 25,000 VND. So cheap for a good dish, right?

2. VIETNAM SPECIALTIES AND PRODUCTS.

In addition to the unique cuisine, Vietnam is also well-known as a country with lots of specialties and export products. Followings are some outstanding products of the S-shaped country.

Rice

Vietnam is an agricultural country with more than 70% of its people making their living by growing rice. The Red River Delta in the North and the Mekong Delta in the South is considered the two rice baskets placed at two ends of a pole. Not only growing rice for daily uses, Vietnamese farmers also export rice to other countries. Following Thailand, Vietnam is the 2^nd largest rice-exporting country in the world.

Coffee

First introduced by the French in 1857, the coffee industry has increasingly developed and become a major economic product in Vietnam. Vietnam is the second largest producer in the world after Brazil, and most of the coffee comes from the plantations in Highland regions of Central Vietnam. Vietnamese coffee are renowned for its high-end quality. Two most famous brands of Vietnamese coffee are Trung Nguyen Coffee and VinaCafe.

Pepper

Vietnam is the World’s largest producer and exporter of peppers. Introduced by the French in the 17^th century, pepper trees have now been planted in large scale in the South, especially in Central Highland provinces. Phu Quoc Island is another famous plantation of black pepper. Pepper is regarded as the “King of Spices” and used in daily dishes worldwide.

Tea

Northern Vietnam is home to the famous brand of tea: Thai Nguyen Tea. Enormous tea plantations are found in the northwest regions, mostly concentrating in Thai Nguyen and Moc Chau. Not only do tea plantations bring about a high volume of products, these are also interesting tourist attractions.

Fish

Seafood industry plays an important role in Vietnam’s economy. Fisheries exports account for a large proportion of the overall revenue. The main markets of Vietnam fish are the United States and Western countries.

Textile

Textile is a key economic sector of Vietnam. Though a small country, Vietnam is a big player in the textile industry. This sector provides jobs to more than 2 million employees. As Vietnam’s labor is very cheap, the textile products are also affordable, thus enabling the industry to gradually continue even in the struggling economic situation.

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Useful Phrases in Vietnamese

As Vietnamese is a tonal language (with six different tones), the particular tone used determines the meaning of a word. As the same word can mean many different things depending on the tone it is a difficult language to grasp but the locals will certainly appreciate your efforts! The following words and phrases are spelled phonetically to help you with pronunciation. Popular phrases: Hello>> sin chow Goodbye >> chow, tam bi-ait Excuse me (sorry) >> sin looee Please >> lam on Thank you >> gum urn Yes >> vung (when spoken in the north), roi(in the south) No >>kom Excuse me >> sin loy How much? >>bough new? Tea >> cha Coffee >>café Water >> nook Beer >>bia I don’t understand >> toy kom beet Numbers in Vietnamese: 1 >> mot 2 >> hai 3 >> ba 4 >> bon 5 >> numb 6 >> sow 7 >> buy 8 >> tum 9 >> chin 10 >> moo-ee 11 >> moo-ee mot 12 >> moo-eehai 20 >> hai moo-ee 30 >> ba moo-ee 100 >> mot tram 1000 – mot ngan (Adderall)

Vietnam Islands

As a coastal country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam consists of thousands of islands and islets, which are geographically significant to Vietnam in particular and the world in general. Followings are some major islands in Vietnam which are worth visiting. Cat Ba Island Cat Ba, an island on Ha Long Bay, possesses one of the most beautiful Vietnam beaches. It is an ideal destination for those who want to explore the sheer beauty of Halong Bay but cannot stand the huge flocks of visitors of main Halong tours. Cat Ba Beaches attract travelers with soft white sand and turquoise sea water. It has many spectacular seashores, namely Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3. There is a Cliffside between Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2, which is definitely a joy to walk, while Cat Co 2 offers visitors with plenty of bungalows and chalets that are suitable for romantic trips or honeymoon. Almost half of the Island and about 90 square kilometers of the adjacent waters belongs to Cat Ba National Park to protect the island’s eco-biological diversity. Co To Another notable island in Vietnam is Co To Island which is renowned for white smooth sand beaches and transparent blue sea. It is the furthest inhabited island from the mainland of the North. Co To beach remains intact from human’s influence, thus offering white sandy shore and blue sea water. The beach is amazing whenever you look at: day or night, at dawn or at twilight, in the morning mist or under the moonlight. Different times of the day provide you with different emotions and experiences. There is a romantic path leading to the Lighthouse, where you can take a bird’s eye view of the beautiful and peaceful Co To Island and feel the fresh atmosphere on the ocean. There is also a wild forest with colorful flowers and birds around that area. In addition, Co To Island has many majestic rock formations – perfect places for shooting photos. Cu Lao Cham Cu Lao Cham (Cham Island) consists of 8 small islands which have been designated as UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The picturesque scenery and leisure activities in Cu Lao Cham are a huge appeal to tourists. Cu Lao Cham is the paradise for adventurers, where they can participate in fascinating activities ranging from traditional activities such as swimming on aqua-green water, sunbathing on white sandy beaches, and exploring the forest to marine life discovery. The coast is a collection of plentiful sea creatures and coral reefs. Travelers will see the majestic marine world with an abundance of colorful fishes, lobsters, mollusks under the turquoise sea water. There are also cultural attractions in the island such as the exhibition of Cham Island’s nature and culture, the old well, Lang Ong, and Huong fishing village. There exist the vestiges of Cham people’s civilization. Phu Quy Island Phu Quy Island in Binh Thuan province, with its jaw-dropping landscape and unique culture, is well-known as a paradise for summer escape. Its name literally means “wealth” and “honor”. Beaches in Phu Quy Island are amazing. They are stunning with softy white sand and blue water and more importantly, far from the residential areas. Vinh Trieu Duong is an incredibly beautiful beach that is suitable for swimming while Bai Nho has rock formations and colorful reefs under the water. The lighthouse and wind turbines are also great places to watch the sunset. The island is also famous for its cultural spots. Linh Son pagoda on Mount Cao Cat and Linh Quang Pagoda are important religious centers of Phu Quy residents, where they can not only immerse their soul into the peaceful atmosphere but also take a bird’s eye view over the breath-taking surroundings. Van An Thanh temple has the giant whale skeleton, where you can learn about the whale worshipping tradition of the fishermen. Con Dao In the southern coast of Vietnam stands Con Dao Islands – an archipelago of 16 uninhabited islands and islets, which is a perfect destination to run away from the hustle and bustle of cities. Con Son – the biggest island of Con Dao used to be the site of French-run prisons for Vietnamese soldiers who get involved in the Vietnam War. You can find most of the prisons in Con Son town, where there are plenty of prison cells and infamous tiger cages. In addition to the significant historic relics, Con Dao consists of unspoiled beaches such as Bai An Hai, Mui Ca Map (Shark Cape), and Nhat Beach. These are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Seafood is also extraordinarily fresh. The uninhabited islets are also great to explore, where travelers can see the spectacular wildlife settings with plentiful flora and fauna. Phu Quoc Island Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, just 45km southwest of the Vietnamese mainland, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island. It is also known as “Koh Tral” in Cambodian, as it lies just 15km off the Cambodian coast. Phu Quoc has become an attractive destination with beautiful beaches, lush forests, and fascinating hills. Several stunning beaches in Phu Quoc are suitable for different types of entertainment. If you want to swim, Long Beach, Sao Beach, Ganh Dau Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Vung Bau Beach are ideal places. But if you want to get away from the crowd to walk hand-in-hand with your life partner on the romantic and tranquil sandbar, Thom Beach and Rach Vem Beach are more suitable. Some beach resorts and amusement centers are open to provide travelers with best services and experiences. The island remains intact as about 70% of the area belongs to Phu Quoc National Reservation Park. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this massive natural park spans over 314,000 square meters of unique tropical flora and fauna, dense forests, and evergreen mountain ranges. Camping, hiking, bird-watching, and photography are available there. Phu Quoc is also home to the famous Vietnamese specialties: fish sauce, pepper, and pearl. Many fish sauce factories, pepper plantations, and pearl farms are available to visit. It is a great opportunity to take a closer look at the traditional careers of Vietnamese people.

Beaches on Phu Quoc Island

Top 7 Beaches on Phu Quoc Island With 150 km of coastline, there’s sure to be a beach for everyone in idyllic Phu Quoc. Note: The word “bãi” (pronounced: bahy) means “beach” in Vietnamese. Long Beach (Bãi Trường, pronounced “bahy troo-uhng” ) starts just south of the main town of Duong Dong. Stretching approximately 20 km down the southwestern coast of Phu Quoc almost to the port of An Thoi, the jumping off point for island and snorkeling tours, Long Beach starts off busy towards the hotels and resorts of Duong Dong with plenty of Phu Quoc attractions and activities, ranging from cafes, restaurants and bars to locals walking by with freshly cut fruit and offers of beachside massages and even body hair removal by threading! The further down you go, the less developed the beach becomes, with many a quiet spot, backed by palm trees, to claim for your own. Insider tip: The closer you are to town, the busier the beach, making Long Beach a fun place to hang out with groups of friends. The many restaurants and shops means there’s plenty to do with the family when you’ve had enough of lounging on the beach. The further south you go, the less developed the beach becomes, ideal for couples looking to get away from the crowds. Sao Beach (Bãi Sao, pronounced “bahy sou”) towards the southeast of the island, is considered the best beach in Phu Quoc with clear, turquoise water and a beautiful stretch of fine, powdery sand, all backed by palm trees and forested mountains. There are only a few local guesthouses here which means the beach is one of the top Phu Quoc attractions, especially for day trippers. A host of seafood restaurants line the beach and provide beach chairs and umbrellas for rent as well as showering and changing facilities. With its shallow, clear waters, Sao Beach is excellent for families with small children. Insider tip: To avoid the crowds, plan on arriving early before the tours turn up by mid- afternoon, usually after a morning of snorkeling or sightseeing. Or simply head towards the northern (and prettiest) end of the beach, home to the Paradiso Beach Club, a haven of tranquility separated from the masses by an undeveloped stretch of beach. The beach club has a highly-rated restaurant serving up freshly prepared local and international favorites. Vong Beach (Bãi Vòng, pronounced “bahy vohm”) Vong Beach may be the first beach ferry-goers see as it’s located where most of the passenger boats from Rach Gia and Ha Tien arrive from the Vietnamese mainland, the least expensive way of getting to Phu Quoc. While pretty to look at from the sea, the beach itself is dominated by the port and is therefore not a popular spot for swimming or sunning. Thom Beach (Bãi Thơm, pronounced “bahy tuhm”) Thom Beach is located at the far northeast section of the island. Difficult to get to because the only road leading there is through the densely forested interior, its remoteness, rather than its beauty, makes it a draw for those willing to brave the rough roads on a Phu Quoc day trip. With only a few local eateries in the area and not much else in the way of amenities, Thom Beach is best for adventurers and nature lovers looking to get off the beaten path. Rach Tram Beach (Bãi Rạch Tràm, pronounced “bahy ruht truhm”) and Rach Vem Beach (Bãi Rach Vẹm pronounced “bahy ruht vem”) Rach Tram Beachare the next Phu Quoc beaches you would encounter if continuing on a counter-clockwise loop from equally remote Thom Beach. These beaches are wild and pretty with few tourists and fewer amenities other than the small local cafes encountered at the rustic fishing villages along the way. This pair of rustic beaches are ideal for those looking for a Robinson Crusoe, “swept away” feel. Insider tip: Bring your own beach mat and towel along with some drinks and snacks and make a day of it. Ganh Dau Beach (Bãi Gành Dầu, pronounced “bahy guhn zou”) Ganh Dau Beachis at the very north of the island and is famous for its beautiful views, including of the nearby Cambodian mainland. Multiple roads lead to the general vicinity, included paved roads along the western coast as well as dirt roads through the national park. Once there, you’ll find wonderfully clear water, all backed by coconut trees, making it a contender for the best beach in Phu Quoc’s northern end. The shallow, calm waters makes Ganh Dau excellent for swimming and for families, especially if arriving by car. Insider tip: There is a handful of resorts and guesthouses on Ganh Dau Beach, making it a popular lunch spot for locals who rarely swim. Plan to arrive at around lunch and spend the afternoon on the beach, as some of the guesthouses will allow visiting diners to use their facilities including hammocks and showers. Dai Beach (Bãi Dài, pronounced “bahy zahy”) Dai Beachis at the northwest of the island. Previously undeveloped, in recent years, this pretty stretch has been taken over by the Vinpearl Group and now is the site of a massive resort complex which includes a safari, golf course, amusement park, casino and hotel. Just south of Dai Beach on the way back to Duong Dong town lies three relatively quiet beaches: Vung Bau Beach (Bãi Vũng Bầu, pronounced “bahy vom boh”), Cua Can Beach (Bãi Cửa Cạn, pronounced “bahy koo kan”), and Ong Lang Beach (Bãi Ông Lang, pronounced “bahy ohm lang”). Cua Can Beach is where the Cua Can River empties out into the sea and is home to a small fishing village. Some of these beaches have more rustic, eco-friendly accommodations for those looking to get away from it all. Insider tip: Ideal for those with a moderate sense of adventure, these beaches are easily accessible by motorbike along paved roads just 15 minutes or so from the main town of Duong Dong. Have a drink at one of the many resorts on Ong Lang Beach and enjoy the included beach access. Why Choose La Veranda Phu Quoc La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc is a beautiful beachfront resort located on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. The resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and offers direct access to the white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. La Veranda features elegant French colonial architecture and design, with spacious and comfortable guest rooms and suites that are equipped with modern amenities. Guests can indulge in delicious cuisine at the resort's restaurants which includes a stunning beach restaurant, relax by the swimming pool, or treat themselves to a pampering spa experience. For those planning their Vietnam honeymoon resort, La Veranda is a perfect choice. For more information, please contact La Veranda by calling +84 297 3982 988 or email at contact@laverandaresorts.com.