Pancake

Visitors at District 10’s Ky Dai Quang Trung Pedestrian Street can enjoy a wide variety of tasty snacks from around 30 stalls.

The area opened last December, and since then has been a beloved place for people of all ages to hang out while snacking.

From 6pm to 10 pm every day except Monday, around 30 stalls sell tasty, affordable meals that are loved by young people, including animal-shaped pancakes, Thai dishes, fruit juice, and even Com Tam (broken rice with grilled ribs).

Mai Quoc Tan, who works at a stall that sells Korean dishes such as fish paste and gimbab rice rolls, said there were many young customers here, and that the street was always bustling and fun.

Nguyen Tuan Kiet told Việt Nam News that his stall sold avocado ice cream, a Da Lat specialty, as well as peach tea and lemon tea.

“We have been selling here for two months. Prior to this we had to close down one of our branches in the city due to COVID-19. We are doing very well here on this food street because there are a lot of customers.”

A food court area was built to provide visitors with dining chairs and tables, but several stalls have also been set up on the street with red plastic chairs for anyone wanting a more cozy, streetside feeling.

Locals entering the street will have their temperature checked, and the selling of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Many young locals enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the street. – VNS Photos Viet Dung

Hot new hangout

Every night the street is brimming with groups of young friends hanging out, couples sharing a dish, and parents taking their young kids for a walk.

Luong Thanh Kiet told Việt Nam News that he enjoyed a wide variety of dishes sold here, and compared to District 1’s Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, “there are many food stalls close together and the nearby sitting areas makes it more convenient”.

“This is a great place to go to during the Tet holiday, especially for us foodies.”

Nguyen Tran Thao Nguyen, who visited the street for the first time, told Việt Nam News that she was impressed with the number and variety of food stalls, as well as the lively atmosphere, even during weekdays.

Truong Nguyen Thien Tan, a visitor who has been to the street three times, said the area was lively and people of all age groups congregated there.

“This place is really fun, and there are many spots to take photos and areas for a nice walk and chat. You can stay away from your smartphones to spend time with your friends. This is a great spot for families, friends and lovers to hang out on the weekend.”

Ky Dai Quang Trung Street also has around 20 stalls selling clothing items and accessories. Visitors can buy rice toy figurines, play fun games at booths to win prizes, and even watch musical performances on Saturdays.

The Ky Dai Quang Trung area was built in 1975 near the Nguyen Tri Phuong Market. The area surrounding it used to be occupied by vendors.

District 10 received permission to renovate and change the area into a night pedestrian street in 2019 as part of its urban improvement efforts.

The street is the city’s third walking street, after Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and Bui Vien Street in District 1. District 10 People’s Committee plans to expand this street to improve the lives of locals and the night economy.

For a nice night out with loved ones, Ky Dai Quang Trung Pedestrian Street will charm you with its tasty food and lively atmosphere.  VNS

Bánh Khọt (mini pancake) in Vũng Tàu Beach Town. VNA/VNS File Photo

HCM CITY Bánh Khọt, salted egg yolk cake and banh tiêu filled with mung bean are famous snacks in Vũng Tàu Beach Town in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

Bánh Khọt (mini pancake) resembles Japanese takoyaki (octopus balls) but has a crispier texture yellow turmeric added to white rice.

Toppings include shrimp, squid and mantis shrimp decorated with scallions and shrimp powder to further enhance the flavor. The dish is eaten with shredded carrot and green papaya and lettuce and mustard greens, and dipped in a savory and sweet fish sauce.

Sponge cake with salted egg in Vũng Tàu is the size of a cupcake that can be eaten in one mouthful unlike the full-sized version with salted egg and meat floss on top usually found elsewhere.

Due to its size, each egg yolk is sliced in half. The combination of salt in the egg and slight sweetness of the cake has made it a popular dish in recent years.

Bánh Tiêu is popular in Việt Nam, Taiwan and mainland China in numerous versions ranging from pork and beef fillings to no filling at all.

Vũng Tàu’s bánh tiêu are filled with ground mung bean or milk and egg paste. Each costs VNĐ4,000 (US$0.17). VNS

Phu Yen has gained a reputation as a tourism paradise with its unspoilt beaches where emerald-blue waves crash against the sandy shore relentlessly. Its cuisine is another irresistible attraction for travelers from every corner of the world. This lovely place is home to ocean tuna, with an export output of over 5,500 tons annually.

Tourists visiting Phu Yen will have the chance to try a diversity of delicacies made with this fish. One special dish that cannot be missed is tuna eyes stewed with herbs.

In lunar January every year, when the moon is full and shining bright in the clear sky of Phu Yen, fishermen set off on their fishing trips. But it is in April when the peak season of tuna comes, and the fishermen bring the fleshiest tuna to satisfy tourists’ appetite for this specialty.

Along with the nutritious flesh, the eyes are also edible or especially tasty and desired by locals, who have turned this part of the fish into a dish called stewed tuna eyes with herbs, or “flashlights of the ocean”.

To prepare, they pick very big tuna, about 40-50kg, and take out the eyes, which are large as well, about 100-200 grams. It is not uncommon that tourists are frightened when they first see how big and real the eyes are. After that, they are stored in negative temperature so their freshness can be maintained.

The eyes are then poached in salted boiling water, washed, and their blood veins removed. They are steamed with lemongrass, ginger and pineapples to minimize the fishy smell. Next, they are marinated in a mixture of seasonings and put in a ceramic cooking pot with herbs.

Tuna eye stew is best when served hot, with peppers, chilies, chopped purple onions and gingers. Mustard greens, chopped perilla leaves, crispy rice pancakes and a cup of spicy soya source also help ease the fattiness of the dish. The rich and fatty taste that melts in the mouth, combined with the spices, is expected to leave a lasting impression after diners’ first try.

Once a dish of everyday life, tuna eye stew has become a well-known delicacy desired by the savviest tourists. Each serving of “flashlights of the ocean” costs a reasonable price of around VND40,000. Visitors to Phu Yen can easily enjoy it at either an upmarket restaurant or a small food stall.

Phu Yen’s special dish – tuna eyes stewed with herbs.

Photo: Dan Tri

Huong Quynh

Grilled rolls

Nha Trang-style grilled rolls ( nem nuong ) are famous nationwide. They are typically made of pork, seasoned, then grilled. Nem nuong can be found in many places, even in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. However, nowhere do they taste as exquisite as in Nha Trang.

The dish is not complete without sweet, spicy fish sauce, green papaya and herbs.

As one of the best dishes in Nha Trang, nem nuong should be on top of your culinary list here. Grilled on-site, the rolls are served with rice paper, lettuce, herbs, chili, garlic and steamed rice. The best way to enjoy this dish is by hand.

Fresh seafood

Nha Trang is blessed with a large amount of seafood like shrimp, sea urchins, squid, crab, jellyfish, and other shellfish collected by local fishermen.

Many seafood fanatics sign up for a tour to Binh Ba Island where lobsters are served at an affordable price. Binh Ba lobsters are famous for their freshness, with the island the largest lobster habit in Nha Trang.

There are red lobsters (long legged and spiny), blue lobsters (blue spiny), and tropical rock lobsters at different prices. Fresh lobsters can be grilled, steamed, or even eaten raw.

Jellyfish noodle soup

Nha Trang boasts a six kilometer coastal line. As a result, there is an abundance of jellyfish here, greatly contributing to local cuisine.

Beside jellyfish, the dish is topped with round scad fillet and fish cakes in fragrant freshwater fish broth. Customers can add some other elements such as crab, shrimp or pork to fit their appetite.

Famous spots for this dish are located along Bach Dang Street or at Nha Trang Market.

Jellyfish reportedly bring many health benefits, especially for those suffering from high blood pressure and intestinal ailments.

Mini pancakes

Mini pancakes ( banh can ) is a southern Vietnamese specialty consisting of crunchy small rice pancakes made with quail eggs, fresh and dry pork, and last but not least, seafood.

The cakes are cooked in a small clay pan on glowing charcoal. They are usually sold by pair due to their humble size.

Banh can is served with a sauce made of fish sauce, lemon juice, chili and garlic. It is an essential part for the cake’s unique appeal. Some spots also serve herbs, pork balls and green mango as sides.

Deep herring salad

Deep herring is a type of forage fish, living near the coast and swimming in large schools. Nha Trang deep herring salad can be found anywhere in town. Deep herrings are tiny, with white meat and notably bloodless, reducing the fishy smell of the dish.

The salad is a harmony of the sweetness from fish, mildly sour taste from lemon and spicy heat from chili.

The sauce, usually made from the fish bones, are also carefully seasoned to enhance the taste of the salad.

VR technology will be used to show visitors the
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon along with 100 other tourist attractions. – VNA/VNS Photo Trang DuongPhoto huongdanviendulich.org

HCMC – The HCM City Department of Tourism aims to promote the application of digital technology at 100 tourism sites in the city to enhance the experience of tourists as well as locals.

QR Codes are being increasingly used in HCM City’s tourism. Through a simple scan, customers can access different trip options and discover information like availability and prices.

This year, the department is taking steps to use VR (virtual reality) technology such as 3D models and 360-degree photos at 100 tourist attractions, including museums and cultural heritage sites in HCM City, said Nguyễn Thị Ánh Hoa, director of the city Department of Tourism.

The department is preparing the “100 exciting destinations in HCMC” programme with new tourism products and services.

The city is also focusing on carrying out multimedia communications and online communications to promote the tourism brand ‘‘Vibrant Hồ Chí Minh City’’, as identified in the Hồ Chí Minh City Tourism Development Strategy to 2025 and vision to 2030.

In addition, the city will produce short films about lifestyle, culture and cuisine to restore tourism activities after the COVID-19 pandemic. – VNS

VR technology will be used to show visitors the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon along with 100 other tourist attractions. – VNA/VNS Photo Trang Duong/Photo huongdanviendulich.org

QR Codes are being increasingly used in HCM City’s tourism. Through a simple scan, customers can access different trip options and discover information like availability and prices.

This year, the department is taking steps to use VR (virtual reality) technology such as 3D models and 360-degree photos at 100 tourist attractions, including museums and cultural heritage sites in HCM City, said Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the city Department of Tourism.

The department is preparing the “100 exciting destinations in HCMC” programme with new tourism products and services.

The city is also focusing on carrying out multimedia communications and online communications to promote the tourism brand ‘‘Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City’’, as identified in the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Development Strategy to 2025 and vision to 2030.

In addition, the city will produce short films about lifestyle, culture and cuisine to restore tourism activities after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The list of “100 exciting things in HCM City” includes: 1. Five museums: The War Remnants Museum, the HCM City History Museum, the Hồ Chí Minh Museum (HCM City branch), the HCM City Museum, the HCM City Fine Arts Museum. 2. Five architectural works: Notre Dame Cathedral, Giác Lâm Pagoda, the Central Post office, the Municipal Theatre of HCM City (Sài Gòn Opera House) and Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Quarter. 3. Five historical, cultural and art relics: the Củ Chi Guerrilla Warfare Tunnel, Independence Palace, Sác Forest – Cần Giờ Resistance Base, Thiên Hậu Temple, and Emperor Temple. 4. Five leisure destinations: the Suối Tiên Tourist Site, Đầm Sen Culture Park, Bình Quới Tourist Site, Sài Gòn Zoo, and A Glimpse of Việt Nam Tourist Site. 5. Five traditional markets: Bến Thành, An Đông, Bình Tây, Soái Kình Lâm, and Tân Định. 6. Five tourism types: ecological tourism, gastronomy, city tour, shopping and waterways. 7. Five tourism events: Spring Flower Road, HCM City Tourism Festive Days, Southern Fruit Festival, Tao Đàn Spring Flower Festival, and Delicious Dishes Gastronomy Festival from Countries around the World. 8. Five luxury hotels: Sheraton, Caravelle, Majestic, Park Hyatt Saigon, and Rex. 9. Five business hotels: New World, InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Windsor Plaza, Legend Saigon, and Continental. 10. Five places for exhibition and conference: White Palace, the Saigon Exhibition and Fair Centre, the Phú Thọ Gymnasium, the Văn Thánh Tourist Site, and the Tân Bình Exhibition and Fair Centre. 11. Five shopping places most favoured by tourists: Tax Trade Centre, Vincom Trade Centre, Crescent Mall, Miss Áo Dài, Minh Phương Lacquer, and Fine Arts Store. 12. Five restaurants most favoured by tourists: Muối Xiêm Country Pancake, Cham Charm, Saigon Cooked Rice, Mandarin, and Ngon. 13. Five souvenir products: Vietnamese Dress (Áo dài), Palm-leaf Conical Hat (Nón lá), Hand-made Embroidery, Silk and Sand Picture. 14. Five Southern foods: Country Pancake, Gỏi Cuốn, Cooked Broken Rice, Spring Roll, and Braised Fish. 15. Five places for night entertainment: Bán Nguyệt River, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, Hard Rock Cafe, Megastar Cinema, and Saigon Bar. 16. Five art performance places: the Opera House, Rồng Vàng Water Puppetry Stage, IDECAF Stage, Hồng Vân Theatre, and Small Stage Theatre. 17. Five favourite spa and health care locations: Ngọc Anh Spa, Sen Spa, La Cochinchine, Authentic Spa, and Anam QT Spa. 18. Five exciting cafes: Highlands, Trung Nguyên, Gloria Jeans, Central, and Windows. 19. Five road transport brands: Taxi Mai Linh, Taxi Vinasun, Phương Trang Company, Vietravel, and Hòa Bình Travel Company. 20. Five most-favoured fruits: Mangosteen, Mango, Star Apple, Grapefruit, and Blue Dragon. VNS