Vietnam country and food

Vietnam travel is a fantastic way to experience a truly unique culture and, for the foodie, a wonderful way to wake up the taste buds. Vietnamese cuisine is deceptively simple but simply delicious-featuring everything from the standard Southeast Asian flavours, to the complexity of Chinese cooking, to the charm and butter-filled influences of the French.

A fusion of flavours
Like many Southeast Asian countries, the signature foods vary from region to region. So your foodie experience will depend on where in the country you are and, of course, how adventurous you are on your Vietnam tours.

The Vietnamese food in the north of the country is considered to be lighter in flavour and is often seafood heavy, given the coastal geography of the area. The centre of the country, on the other hand, features spicy, hearty food in small portions. Think gourmet Viet food - this is what royalty used to eat! Finally, in the south, the food is categorised by slightly sweeter flavours and the generous use of coconut milk.

The cuisine of the entire country is also characterised by a strong vegetarian tradition - good news for the vegans out there. Regardless of what region you end up in, you will find a strong vegetarian influence, an emphasis on fresh food and herbs, deliciously fresh broth and a lovely presentation that pervades the classiest restaurant or even the humblest market food stall. Many dishes are also gluten-free.

The classics
Your Vietnam tours will take you to places where you can sample some famous national dishes - like Pho, a simple noodle soup prevalent in all three regions. But remember there are many variations of Pho - from the market seller's addition of fresh coriander to the spicy sate version served with fresh roasted peanuts. Look for Pho that is made fresh, with a clear lovely broth and fresh noodles. These dishes are surprisingly filling and light on the pocket. They are also extremely healthy and light on calories.

Though congee and broth dishes are very common, also look for dishes like "nhung dam" and "canh chua". These dishes - one a crock soup served with dipping sauce and the other the Vietnamese version of hot and sour soup - will slap your mouth awake!

Bread and pastries
Once a French colony always a French colony, and Vietnam is famous for the quality of its bread - try a delicious crunchy baguette. The incredible French-inspired pastries are also in a class of their own. For the true foodie, they are best served with a cup of strong coffee, Viet style. Look for rough grinds in the market or bring home your own. Many stalls still brew their coffee in the traditional manner - by throwing it in a pot.

Vietnam's rice flour cakes are delicious and have both sweet and savoury fillings - a perfect breakfast if you intend to go trekking. Want something more French? Go for the "banh pate chaud", which features a pork or chicken filling.

One thing you will notice while on Vietnam trip is that the locals love to eat. Their whole social and family culture revolves around food - whether in the home, at a restaurant or in the busting markets. Join in - your gourmet adventure await.