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By Patrick Grotto Posted on Culinary
 A great way to enjoy a country’s culture is through it’s cuisine. Because of a rapid growth in tourism, Vietnamese cuisine is gaining the attention of food lovers around the world.
Two of Vietnam’s most popular dishes, pho and cha gio, are common throughout the country. Usually eaten at breakfast, pho is noodles made from rice flour in a light beef stock flavored with ginger, cinnamon, anise, onions and the ubiquitous nuoc mam (fish sauce). Often garnished with bean sprouts or fresh mint, this dish is a wonderful combination of flavors. Another dish found throughout Vietnam is cha gio (spring rolls). Shrimp, pork, fresh mint and bean sprouts are rolled in wafer thin rice paper, and then usually accompanied by the pungent nuoc mam fish sauce as well.
Although these dishes can be found throughout the country, each region in Vietnam boasts a local specialty. In Hanoi, while wandering the Old Quarter, you’ll stumble upon the aptly named Cha Ca Street. A major staple in local cuisine, cha ca is fried fish. Cha Ca Street’s most popular restaurant may be Cha Ca La Vong, where the specialty is served with dill, turmeric, rice noodles and peanuts. In the south, expats and locals agree that Ho Chi Minh City’s best spring rolls are found at Tan Nam. The ancient trading port of Hoi An in Central Vietnam has strong Chinese influences, and local specialties include delicate wontons filled with shrimp and garlic.
 Of course, no visit to Vietnam is complete without a trip to a bustling local market. Most Vietnamese shop for food at least twice a day. This explains why Vietnamese cuisine is famed for it’s fresh ingredients. Visiting a local market is certainly an exciting way to witness day-to-day life. Binh Tay Market in Saigon’s Chinatown includes a dizzying array of tropical fruit, vegetables, live fish, meat and sugars. However, for the more adventurous traveler, Hanoi’s December 19th market is not to be missed. This market ventures away from the standard fare with everything from snake, to dog meat to armadillo.
Finally, if you find you’re itching to recreate some of Vietnam’s best dishes, perhaps you’d like to check out a class at the country’s first cooking school. The Vietnam Cookery Centre offers half-day courses that include different aspects of food preparation, utensils and presentation. The school usually covers four to five dishes which are served as lunch to end the lesson. Whether you’re an expert chef or just nurturing a love of cuisine, a trip to Vietnam can incorporate the right blend of authentic culture and cuisine to satisfy anyone’s tastes.
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