This Hanoi Street Food Tour by Backstreet Academy is a 2.5-hour eating binge that takes you to some of the best local spots in Vietnam’s capital. It costs just USD 19 per person and gives you a taste of about a dozen Vietnamese street food dishes.
I had the most fun coffee hunting in Hanoi but Saigon held its own. They don’t have homegrown creations like egg coffee or salty coffee, but what they lacked in unique recipes and history they more than made up for with their plethora of Instagram-worthy cafes.
Vietnamese cuisine has won me over completely. It was the main reason why I did this month-long trip, to really delve into the cuisine and come up with the best and most insightful food guides, starting with Hanoi.
I went on a few organized tours in Vietnam, including a motorbike tour in Saigon which I thought was pretty different from anything I had done to that point, until this shiny red Citroen 2CV pulled up in front of our hotel.
You can have great coffee anywhere in the country, but for me, the most enjoyable was in Hanoi, largely because of its plethora of interesting and quirky cafes. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam’s capital, then here are thirteen coffeehouses to perk up your palate and your Instagram feed.
Most of the time, we visit wet markets during the day but thanks to A Chef’s Tour, I got to experience one of Hanoi’s biggest markets at the crack of dawn, when it’s at its liveliest. The difference in market activity between 5AM and 11AM is literally like night and day.
Vietnam has long been well-known for having over 3,000 km of coastline and many stunning beaches. With white sands, crystal clear waters, breathtaking sunrise and sunset scenes, and the best places for water sports, this country is an ideal destination for beach lovers.
We enjoy eating local food on our trips, but to actually learn how to make these dishes yourself is a different kind of experience. It puts you on both sides of the table and gives you a better understanding and appreciation for the cuisine.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. If you’ll be spending any time at all in Hanoi and the northern part of the country, then an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay is a must.
We became enamored with Hoi An the moment we arrived that morning. But at night, with its many colored lanterns all lit up, it transformed into something I wasn’t expecting. It looked magical, like something out of a fairy tale.