After studying Vietnam in History class at school, I started developing an interest in the country, it's history and people. But it wasn't until I saw Luke Nguyen's culinary adventures throughout Vietnam that my plans go actually go there started to crystallise. And I'm so glad they did, because my 10 days there were some of the best of my life (thus far)!
It would be futile (and somewhat offensive) to try to condense the entirety of Ho Chi Minh City down to 2 Blog posts, so I'm only going to shed light on but some of Saigon's culinary and cultural delights.
Let's start with the shopping.
The main streets are dotted with massive department stores, which attract the richer tourist clientele, with top-ranged brands like Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Louis Vuitton having a firm hold. Since $10,000 handbags aren't really my 'thing', I opted for the (much) cheaper street-vendors and markets where most of the locals do their shopping.
Though the gutters scream "EFFLUENT" and the department stores boast "AFFLUENT", I had a great time haggling prices down and shopping up a storm.
On the way, however, I was stopped by a gentleman selling freshly-cut coconuts and drinks, who was more that happy to pass his heavy baskets on to me. I look pretty authentic, right?
Mmmmm all that shopping had made me hungry! What better way to satisfy those cravings than with once of Saigon's specialties, Bun Thit Nuong! This delectable bowl of rice vermicelli topped with mounds of fresh herbs, grilled pork and Nem (spring rolls) never fails to hit to spot.
Dear Reader, you must be starting to think I am always hungry and gorge myself on anything and everything. And you'd be right! Particularly when meals are (conservatively) $3 and each consecutively seem to be the best meal you've ever tried while there, you can forgive me for indulging!
Saigon comes to life at night with its Night Markets. The massive Ben Thanh Market was only a short stroll away from our hotel, so I often found myself haggling, buying and eating there. The large fires (see above) cook hundreds, maybe even thousands, of fish, prawns, crepes, meats and noodles every night. Cleverly, the cooks have large fans set up to blow the mouth-watering aromas throughout the entire market.
I couldn't pass up this opportunity to try Saigon's famous Banh Xeo - a crispy rice crêpe with a mixed filling of bean sprouts, prawns and other vegetables. The crisp crêpe goes down nicely with a bottle of Saigon Export beer!
xx
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