DRINK VIETNAMESE COFFEE LIKE A LOCAL

Vietnamese people go insane about coffee! There is nothing better than starting a new day with a cup of coffee! Most people drink coffee because want to keep themselves alert in the morning. Some are addicted to it, and there are some who drink for no apparent reason!

What are the most popular styles of Vietnamese coffee?

• Black coffee, also called “DEN DA” in Vietnamese.

Black coffee (no matter it’s hot or cold) is always bitter and super strong that hardly any foreign visitors can bear it at the first time! The traditional style of Den da is the dark roasted coffee dripping down from a small drip filter. Inside the filter is grown coffee and hot water to boil it.

Vietnamese black coffee

• “Brown” coffee, also call “CAFE SUA DA” in Vietnamese.

This type of coffee is more popular because it is less bitter and easier to drink. It is the black coffee blended perfectly with rich, sweetened-condensed milk! This combination creates strong and attractive flavor to all coffee lovers. It is also my favorite type. ❤

Vietnamese “brown” coffee

• Big brown coffee, also called “CAFE SUA SAIGON”

When you order “cafe sua”, it usually comes in small-size cup. The bigger and more satisfied one is “ca phe sua Saigon”, which is so milky and fresh. If you cannot bear the bitter taste of coffee, and you’re wandering somewhere in Vietnam feeling so thirsty in the summer, this drink is a perfect solution!

The famous “cafe sua Saigon”

So, do you know how to drink Vietnamese coffee like a local?

All you need to do is to wake up early in the morning, pick a nice coffee shop (it could be a street coffee shop or a luxurious one), and order your fav type of coffee. So many tourists that lived in Vietnam for a long period of time have learned to order coffee by the Vietnamese language!

Immerse yourself in the rich flavor of coffee, listen to the sound of music playing in the coffee shop, read a newspaper or observe people getting around on the street, that’s exactly how Vietnamese people do to begin their new day.

HOI AN MUST-TRY LOCAL FOOD

Hoi An is not only famous for its unique ancient beauty but also for the diverse of local food. Hoi An must-try local food is truly fascinating and affordable. Now, as a food lover, let me introduce some must-try food in Hoi An for you!

1. Chicken rice (Com ga)

Hoi An chicken rice is the “top quality” dish. The chickens are delicious and farm-raised, the rice is cooked with chicken stock and the right amount of turmeric, which result in slight yellow color and the distinctive taste. An average price for a plate of chicken rice and a small bowl of soup is around 30.000d.

Com ga Hoi An is really a stunning dish

2. Cao Lau

Cao lau is another Hoi An specialty dish. Cao lau is the yellow, thick and chewy noodle, which is quite similar to Japanese udon. It’s often served with barbecued pork, vegetable, beansprout and the gravy. Cao lau can be found anywhere in Hoi An, with price varies from 20.000 to 50.000d. You can try it in the local market. It’s still delicious and inexpensive (around 20.000d)

Cao Lao is another must-try local food in HoiAn

3. Quang noodle (Mi Quang)

Mi quang consists of thin yellow noodle, pork/chicken slices, vegetable, peanuts, quail eggs and well-seasoned gravy. As a specialty of Quang Nam province, this dish should be tried in Hoi An and Da Nang city. Price varies from 20.000 to 50.000d depending on where you eat.

Mi Quang is a specialty of Da Nang and Hoi An

4. Banh mi (Vietnamese Baguette)

Banh mi can be found anywhere on the street. This Vietnamese Baguette has various fillings depending on your choice: Roasted pork/grilled pork/sausage/meatball/fried egg… together with vegetable, pate, butter and hot peppers. In Vietnam, Banh mi is the most enjoyable fast food! It ranges from 10.000d to 20.000d.

Hoi An is famous worldwide for its Banh mi

5. Vietnamese crispy pancake (Banh xeo)

There are lots of ingredients inside Banh xeo (as you see on the pic). Local people wrap it by the rice paper with some greens a pork skewer, then dip it into a tasty pork liver sauce! Banh xeo is always served when it’s hot, so it is a perfect meal to enjoy it in a cold (rainy) day. The average price for each is around 10000d – 15000d.

Banh Xeo is another stunning local food

6. Street grilled pork (thit nuong)

Everybody loves grilled pork. In Hoi An, we eat it in a different way. You need to wait for the vendor to grill it perfectly, wrap it with some greens like a spring roll and dip it into the spicy source. You can either eat in small restaurant or eat on the street with the vendor. A skewer is around 10.000d. In restaurant, it’s served together with Banh xeo.

This street-barbecue is irresistible!

7. Vietnamese Rice Crackers (Banh dap)

Rick Cracker is an attractive, local snack. It is especially crispy with 2 layers of rice paper and topped with some fried onions, and served with spicy special fish sauce. Most foreign visitors do not like the sauce for the first time for its smell. Just start with 2 or 3 Banh dap to make sure you can eat it!

Banh dap is especially good at Cam Nam village, which only takes you 5-minute walking from the town. It costs only 8.000d each.

Banh Dap is a special local food you should try

How to cross the road in Vietnam?

Crossing the road in Vietnam is such a dangerous sport to any foreign visitors. If you haven’t been to Vietnam or experienced chaotic traffic before, my advice will help you a lot.

It’s not easy to cross the road in Vietnam

So, how to cross the road safely?

• First, make sure you’re comfortable with constant “BEEPING” on Vietnamese street! Vietnamese people tend to “beep” each other for no reason! When you cross the road and hear many people beeping at you, don’t be panic. They simply announce their presence and tell that you’re on their way!
• Look around to check if there is large vehicle or bus coming on the road. You may convince yourself that public transportation would be nice and calm, but it is not! You should be really careful with the bus and always let them pass.
• Once you decide to cross the road, keep going ahead. Don’t wait until you it safe enough to cross, cause it will never be! Here in Vietnam, people won’t move for you, but they will find way to flow around you. Don’t worry!
• When crossing the road, you need to be confident. Even when the traffic is crazy, and your instinct is yelling at you to go back, just keep walking! If you stop in the middle of the road or try turn back, it will be even more dangerous.
• If you’re gonna visit Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh city, avoid driving motorbike at rush hour! It is normally from 7 to 8am (when people go to work) and 5 to 7pm (when they begin to go home). During that time, you’re recommended to walk, or if you’re driving a motorbike, stay away from city center.
• Last but not least, if you’ve read all these advice and still not confident when crossing the road, ask for help from local people. Most Vietnamese people are friendly and willing to help ❤

Is there any rule to remember?

Local people like me often say “The only rule in Vietnamese street is that there is no rule” J) Though it is really embarrassing, I have to admit it’s true. You shouldn’t try to apply any rules or common senses here, cause it’s inapplicable!