As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is often overlooked and eclipsed by its more popular cousin Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). It’s dustier, hotter, and less accessible in some respects, but Hanoi is the gateway to awesome destinations such as, the Perfume Pagoda, Sapa, and of course the famous HaLong Bay.

With its effortless chaos and distinct subculture from the rest of Vietnam, Hanoi has a style uniquely its own. Locals still go about their daily lives as they have for decades while a cosmopolitan city develops around them. Modern cars mingle with waves of scooters, as an urban skyline rises around the old quarter and its mysterious Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi is so unique, that aficionados will even notice differences in its preparation of Pho (Vietnamese soup noodles).

Perhaps these cultural differences are due in part to its long history of occupation from the Chinese, Japanese and French, or perhaps it’s merely a result of its geographical distance from the south. Whatever the reason, what remains is a fluid juxtaposition of French and Asian, old and modern.

Hanoi is a Hidden Jewel!

Enjoy these photos, as I choose them in hopes to capture and embody the everyday of Hanoi Vietnam and compel you to give it a more intimate look:

• In Hanoi’s old quarter, where you’ll likely end up, the locals have embraced tourism effortlessly

• Old meets new. Amongst autos and cyclos, a Vietnamese woman wearing a conical hat still carries her wares by way of a shoulder pole

• The Vietnamese people are incredibly enterprising. In Hanoi, you’ll find small businesses in the most innocuous places providing an eclectic range of products from cigarettes, simcards, to pastries

• A vestige of French colonialism, St. Joseph’s Cathedral serves as the cathedral for the huge presence of practicing Catholics in the country

• A local in peach slippers gets off her bicycle in order to reposition her shipment of pomelos

• Bicycles and scooters are often the lifeblood of many Vietnamese families, often used for both transportation and business

• In most western cultures, roads are generally dominated by cars, in Hanoi and most parts of Vietnam, you’ll find that cyclos are far more prevalent

• You can’t see it, but in this image the woman is using a charcoal smoker in a narrow corridor to prepare dishes for the adjacent restaurant. To put this in perspective, it was easily 100˚F that day

• Turtle Tower located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake), within Hanoi’s old quarter

• A delicious bowl of Hanoi Pho!

Have you been to Hanoi Vietnam? What are some of your favorite things?

The post Hanoi Vietnam, The Photoscape! #Hanoi #Vietnam #Southeastasia appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

Have you ever stopped to wonder how they make the noodles for your Pho noodle soup? That question had never crossed my mind until my visit to Nha Trang, Vietnam.

For those who don’t know, Pho is a Vietnamese soup containing rice noodles and meat. It is often served with basil, bean sprouts, green onions, and lemon and Hoisin sauce are added to taste (unless you are like my husband and add half the jar of Hoisin sauce – in that case it really isn’t Pho anymore but some form of Hoisin soup). You can get different types of Pho and various combinations, but the basic types are:

• Pho Dac Biet: Pho with everything in it
• Pho Tai: Pho with thinly sliced beef
• Pho Sach: Pho with tripe
• Pho Bo Vo Vien: Pho with beef meatballs
• Pho Ga: Pho with chicken
• Pho Bo Sate: Pho with beef in a sate broth
• Pho Ga Sate: Pho with chicken in a sate broth

Like I said before, I never really thought about how the rice noodles are made – just more concerned with the type of Pho I was going to order and whether the broth is going to be flavorful and free of MSG. When you are making Pho, it usually takes about 15 seconds to cook the noodles (assuming they have been presoaked) – just put them in boiling water to soften, throw them in the bowl and add the broth. Simple enough. But there’s actually a whole other process that is invisible to us Pho eaters before we can even boil the noodles to eat our favorite Vietnamese Pho noodle soup!

Making Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Step 1: rice grains are soaked in water for a long period of time to soften.

Step 2: once soft enough, the rice is ground up into a batter. Traditionally the rice is not mixed with any other flour, but now it is common for people to add tapioca starch to make it more chewy and flexible.

Step 3: the batter is then heated directly onto the drying racks (you can see the fire provides a constant source of heat).  Here’s a video that helps that shows you the art of making banh Pho:

Step 4: the racks are placed out in the sun to dry.

Step 5: a machine is then used to cut the dried rice paper into noodles.

We were told that the factory produces all the Pho noodles for the City of Nha Trang, which is a lot of noodles. I have to say, visiting the factory makes me appreciate my Pho noodles that much more.

The post Got Banh Pho? Making Vietnamese Pho Noodles appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

There is so much to do and see in a vibrant city like Saigon. It can be overwhelming at times, especially if you only have a few days to spend in the city, so here are some suggestions on things to do and places to go.

1) Go to Chợ Bến Thành: The main market in Saigon where you could get everything from clothes, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, dried foods, spices, ready to eat meals, and my absolute favorite – chè (a sweet Vietnamese dessert or pudding). There’s a particular stand that sells several types of chè and you definitely need to go there. Although the portions are small, which just means you get to try as many different types as you want, it is authentic and approved by the locals.

There are several food stands that offer a wide selection of Vietnamese cuisine, from more popular dishes such as pho and bun to “less Westernized” dishes such as banh bot loc (a dumpling wrapped in banana leaf) – there is something for every palette. Our last morning in Saigon Mike and I went with the three musketeers and had breakfast at one of the food stands. It was great way to say goodbye to Saigon – amazing food and even better company!

Chợ Bến Thành is also a great place to pick up souvenirs, clothes, or knock-offs. Remember to haggle with the vendors, but not if it is first thing in the morning. Vietnamese people are extremely superstitious and they believe that the first sale of the day sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you haggle with the vendor first thing in the morning chances are you will get yelled at.

2) Visit the Reunification Palace: The Palace was the headquarters for the American and South Vietnamese troops during the Vietnam War. It also symbolized the “Fall of Saigon” when the Viet Cong bulldozed through the Palace’s main gate on April 30, 1975 to capture the capital and end the war.

While touring the palace you can see the command centre, along with communications equipment and maps used during the war. The most interesting thing was the bullet holes and helicopter on the rooftop, which is meant to illustrate Americans being airlifted from the Palace before the Fall.

3) Visit the War Remnants Museum: This museum tells a different, not-often-heard side of the Vietnam War. Although disturbing, it is definitely a must see. Be aware though, there are gruesome images of war victims that will evoke some strong emotions.

Most of us have seen the famous picture of the Napalm Girl taken by Huynh Cong Ut, which shows you a bit of the horror of what those children faced that day. What we don’t see are the ever-lasting effects of the Agent Orange liberally used during the Vietnam War.

4) Go for a Xich Lo Ride: During my first visit to Saigon (23 years ago), the Xich Lo was my main form of transportation. My first tour of Saigon was by way of Xich Lo and I have to say, it was the best way to see the city. It made me feel like a local and allowed me to see things from a different perspective.

Xich Los were once the main form of transportation in Vietnam, but with development and modernization Xich Los are now a thing of the past and have been traded in for faster forms of transportation that allow people to travel greater distances. You can still find Xich Los in Saigon, but rather than being used by Vietnamese people to get around and transport goods their purpose is to give tourists a unique Vietnamese experience.  If you decide to tour Saigon on a Xich Lo make sure to negotiate and agree upon a price before hand.

5) Get Massages or your hair shampooed: I don’t know about you, but I love going for a massage. The idea of going for a massage instantly relaxes me. The great thing about getting one in Saigon is you only pay a fraction of the price.

My cousin and I went to get our hair shampooed at the Hoang Oanh Salon and it was amazing! They massage your scalp and face (if you want) for about 45 minutes. They do this while you are laying down, so once they are done shampooing your hair you flip over and get a back rub as well. After that, they blow out your hair so you are ready for a night out on the town. The greatest thing about the shampoo and scalp massage is it cost me less than a cup of Starbucks coffee!!!

6) Try Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine: Every square inch of real estate in Saigon is used for some sort of business, most of which consists of food stalls. Don’t be afraid to pull up a chair and try some authentic Vietnamese food. In Saigon, unlike some other places in North Vietnam, you really don’t have to be afraid of being served a portion of man’s best friend (yes – I know a bit of a culture shock to even have to think about that).

Most people have probably tried a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich (a chicken, pork, or beef sandwich served on a baguette with pickled carrots, cilantro, pate, a special mayonnaise, and hot peppers), but there really is no banh mi like the ones you get in Saigon. Mike and I ate so many chicken banh mi sandwiches that I thought we had our fix, but when we went to Nha Trang and Hanoi we found ourselves seeking them out, so make sure to eat up in Saigon!

Try the fresh fruit such as logan, lychee, rambutan, and mango. You really haven’t tried a mango until you’ve tried one in Vietnam, which are so juicy and flavorful – makes my mouth water just thinking of them. If you are brave enough, try durian. Durian comes in a porcupine like husk that has to be cracked open in order to get to the soft buttery fruit. I love durian and can eat it by the bucket loads, but I have to admit it is an acquired taste and most people can’t get past the pungent, gas like smell. Mike thinks it smells like raw sewage and won’t go near it, but that’s okay because it just means more for me! One time while my cousin and I were buying durian on the streets of Saigon, two British tourists asked us what we were buying and I told them it was durian. They were both willing to smell it, but only one was brave enough to try it. Not surprisingly, they quickly walked away after that. I know I’m not doing a good job of persuading you to try durian, but it is everywhere on the streets of Saigon so you should be aware.

If you want to learn how to make Vietnamese food, go to a cooking class. There are several places that offer classes and includes going to Chợ Bến Thành to pick up groceries.

7) Get custom made clothes and shoes: labour is extremely cheap in Saigon and there are many talented seamstresses. If you are looking for a new wardrobe, why not get things tailor made? Mike got three suits made in four days at a cost of $650 Cdn, which is $216 for each suit! There’s no way he would be able to buy a nice suit for that price in Canada. This was considered expensive because it was during Tết (Vietnamese New Year) and we also put a rush on the order.

If you have a favorite clothing item, pack it with you so you could get it made exactly as is. That’s what I did! I brought my favorite black trousers and was able to get them made in three different colors at only $30 a pair (this included the Tết and rush factor). The workmanship is impeccable and I didn’t even have to go in for a fitting.

This is the same for shoes. There are cobblers everywhere, so if you need a new pair of shoes go in and get your foot sized. It’s that simple! My uncle is actually a cobbler and Mike was able to score two beautiful pairs of shoes that he wears all the time.

8) Visit the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (Nhà thờ Đức Bà): the Cathedral is a landmark of Saigon and is symbolic of Catholicism in Vietnam. Built while Vietnam was a French protectorate, it has a lot of history and you can go attend Sunday Mass or just people watch.

Across the street from the Basilica is the Central Post Office, which is one of the oldest buildings in Saigon and built during the late 1880s by the French. You can go visit the souvenir shop or mail a letter since it is still a functioning post office.

9) Go to the Củ Chi Tunnels: Củ Chi, which is approximately 30 km from Saigon or 1.5 hours on the bus, has an elaborate tunnel system used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were instrumental to the Viet Cong’s fight against American troops. They were used as living quarters for the Viet Cong and were an essential supply route, allowing the easy transportation of food and weapons.

Looking at the intricate tunnel system, which had many levels and included hospital rooms and kitchens, and the conditions that the Viet Cong had to endure you can’t help but respect their resilience and determination. Although I agree with Mike that the tunnels were built for small Vietnamese people and not Westerners, I am a small Vietnamese person and there is absolutely no way I could endure that kind of life for even one day, much less for months or years on end.

My cousin trying to make her way through the tunnels.

10) Travel to the Mekong Delta: Experience a different side of the Vietnamese lifestyle by taking a trip to the Mekong Delta. There are many things to do in the Mekong Delta including going to the floating market, visiting the Coconut Candy Factory (if you are nuts about coconut like I am, this is definitely a must do), taking a boat down the Mekong River, and visiting My Tho. (Ladies a note of caution: if you choose to go on this tour, bring toilet paper!!!)

Learning how to make candy at the Coconut Factory.

What are some of your adventures in Saigon? Were you brave enough to try durian?

The post 10 Things to do in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.

It had been 12 years since my last visit to Saigon Vietnam. Needless to say I was thrilled and giddy with excitement to see my family, devour all the fruits, desserts, and Vietnamese cuisine that was on my long list of Things I must eat while in Saigon, and I was very much looking forward to finally introducing Mike to my cousins, aunts, and uncles!

My auntie spoiled me by making one of my favourite meals – Banh Canh (Vietnamese udon). Topping things off with a nice cool coconut!

With family in Saigon and the ability to speak passable Vinglish (a mixture of Vietnamese and English words with a lot of “cai ai”, which means “the thing”, thrown in when I don’t know the proper word for what I’m describing) in my heavy Canadian accent, I am fortunate to be able to experience Saigon in a completely different way. The moment Mike and I stepped off the plane at Tan Son Nhat International Airport my cousin, who unlike me is fluent in Vietnamese, escorted us through customs with absolutely no problems. We did get a lot of stares from those waiting in line to get their Visas approved (Mike and I had applied for our Visas in Canada, so we would have skipped that step), as well as those who were being questioned by the Customs Officers. Once our luggage finally arrived (we were waiting so long for my bag that I was scared it was still somewhere in Vancouver), my uncles had a cab waiting to take us to our Bed and Breakfast, which was in the Backpackers District (more on that later).   Luckily for us, the nerves that some travelers get when first arriving in a foreign country were not there because my cousin and uncles were with us. They knew exactly where to go and made sure we were properly settled before taking off. Also, we didn’t even have to worry about going through the troubles of getting Vietnamese Dongs because all of that had been arranged beforehand and my uncle just handed over a wad of cash and we became instant millionaires (well in Dong currency that is).

It was about 2:00 a.m. when we finally settled in and both Mike and I were exhausted after more than a day of traveling, so the first thing Mike did was raid the mini bar. Normally, we would leave the mini bar alone and just go out and buy our own beer but at 20,000 Dongs for a can of Heineken (that is approximately $1 CDN), I told Mike to have at it.

The next day, after Mike enjoyed his first real Vietnamese breakfast and authentic Vietnamese coffee (café sua da – YUM), my uncles picked us up to take us to my grandpa’s house (where my dad was born and grew up), so I could pay my respects. I know that anyone who has traveled to Vietnam will have seen all the scooters and mopeds whizzing around, but whether they have ever driven one, or ridden on the back of one, is a completely different story. Mopeds are the main form of transportation in Vietnam. It is not uncommon to see a family of four on a moped or even someone move a couch on one – it is completely foreign to us, especially when the only system we know is one that requires us to buckle up and refrain from using electronics or doing anything that will “distract” us from driving (I can’t imagine a bigger distraction than trying to balance a couch on the back of your scooter, while at the same time moving through a heavily congested road) – but this is the only system that Vietnamese people know and it works for their lifestyle.

Taking distracted driving to a whole new level! Although this picture was taken in Hanoi, Vietnam, this was a common scene in Saigon.

Armed with extra helmets, my uncles passed them to us and I immediately jumped on. Mike, on the other hand, hesitated and asked me whether this was a good idea. I had never driven a moped, but had ridden on one numerous times so this was an experience that I was familiar with. I completely understood Mike’s fear (the best way to describe the traffic in Vietnam is organized chaos), so I told him to put on his helmet, hold on to my uncle and “trust in the driver”. After a while, Mike was able to relax a little bit but I don’t think he was ever able to enjoy the ride. For some reason, he was more comfortable crossing the streets of Saigon than sitting on the back of a moped.After the first few times Mike quickly learned that when crossing the street, look straight ahead and keep on going – do not hesitate and do not make any unexpected moves or else you will throw off the whole system. You don’t have to worry about dodging the drivers, they will get out of your way.

This is Mike doing the Saigon Street Shuffle:

Brings a new meaning to “sharing the road”. Both pedestrians and drivers have the right of way.

Despite not speaking the same language, Mike got along extremely well with my uncles. It was great to hear my uncles cracking jokes, even though they were at Mike’s expense. I was telling my uncles how much I was paying for certain things and not surprisingly it was more than what the locals paid. My uncle Tam told me it’s because I have the “white guy” with me and so everything will instantly cost at least twice as much. That comment was immediately followed with a hearty chuckle and became an inside joke between Mike and uncle Tam. From the start my whole family liked Mike and told me how lucky I was to have such a kind and tall husband (Vietnamese people are not very tall, so anyone over 5 feet 8 inches is considered tall). They doted on him, asking what his favorite Vietnamese meals were so they could prepare it, and my cousin Trang always made sure to have an abundance of beer in the fridge just for him. The best thing about this trip to Saigon, besides sharing it with my husband, is I got to spend a lot of time with my family and get to know my uncles better.

Mike and the three Musketeers during a family dinner.

My cousin Trang and I. She’s absolutely amazing!

I got to meet this cutie patootie named Bean, who was always hamming it up and never shying away from attention.

Mike and I stayed on Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, also known as the Backpacker’s District, which is a lively and safe area with lots to do, good places to eat, and plenty of other tourists so you can meet people from all over the world. The first bed and breakfast we stayed at met our needs perfectly, the location was great and the staff were friendly, but after my dad (who met us in Saigon) and uncles found out how much we were paying per night (which was not that much, especially when compared to what we would pay for similar rooms in different countries), they organized a quick exit for us. Fortunately they found another hotel for us, which was also located in the Backpacker’s District, and $12 less than what we were paying. Neither Mike nor I really wanted to leave because it was a hassle to pack up just for one night (we were flying out to Nha Trang the next), but the three musketeers made such a ruckus there was no way we could stay (Mike and I still joke about this). That’s the thing about family – it really is hard to tell them no. LOL. I would definitely recommend finding a place on Phạm Ngũ Lão Street.

An alley in the Backpacker District of Saigon.

I know not everyone is fortunate to have friends or family in Saigon, and so here are some things you should know that will make your trip that more comfortable:

• It can get extremely hot and humid in Saigon, so if you are going during the summer time make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant. This time around, we went in December and I was pleasantly surprised. I had mentally prepared for a morning ritual of salving on the sunscreen, then spraying myself from head to toe with bug spray, but fortunately this was not the case. It is cooler and less humid in December, as compared to July and August, and apparently when Mike and I were there, Saigon was experiencing an unusually “cool winter” (it was 25 degrees Celsius and my cousin Trang was complaining about how cold it was), so we got away with just sunscreen. It makes a huge difference when you aren’t eaten alive by mosquitoes or sweating all day.

• If you don’t feel like driving or riding on a moped the easiest and, most importantly, safest way to get around Saigon is by taxi. There are two official taxi companies in Saigon: Mai Linh Group (they drive green and white vehicles) and Vinasun Taxi (vehicles are mostly white with their logo prominently displayed on the side), and I recommend sticking to these two companies.

• It is extremely smoggy in Saigon and the air pollution is really bad. You will notice that most people on mopeds wear masks, so if you plan to walk around for long periods of time pick up a mask and wear it.

• Always carry tissue or toilet paper with you because you never if there will be toilet paper and that could be extremely uncomfortable . . . especially for us ladies.
• Do not drink the water or even ice cubes for that matter. Drink bottled water, canned beverages, or fresh coconut (nothing beats fresh coconut water).

How ice is transported in Saigon.

Coconut vendors are a common sight in Saigon.

• Be aware of pickpocketers and other thievery. Iphones are a hot commodity and walking around with your iphone will make you an easy target. Also, anything on your body, not just in your pocket, is fair game and they aren’t afraid to rip necklaces off of you.

• The Vietnamese are a humble people and extremely welcoming and eager to please. If you are looking for a “Kodak moment” and want to partake in the Vietnamese way of life, do not hesitate to ask for a picture but make sure to tip them.

Mike wanted to try his hand at selling coconuts.

• Try speaking simple Vietnamese words like “cam on”, which means thank you. Vietnamese people really appreciate the effort and you will get a smile out of them.

Want to know what to do during your visit to Saigon Vietnam? Read my next article for some suggestions.

The post Saigon Dep Lam Saigon Oi Saigon Oi (Saigon is Very Beautiful) appeared first on Blaze Your Adventure.