Vietnam 101: Hello :-)

As you might already know, Rice ‘n Flour editorial team consists of seven members who live in different parts of the world. Although we can’t wait to share with you our experience in the “Around the World” section, this part of our blog is dedicated solely to our home country.

It has been almost half a century since our national independence, still in many foreigners’ eyes, the biggest impression on Vietnam is war. During her days in the US, Thu (one of our content contributors) told us that her professors, friends and even random Americans would often ask her about how Vietnam has “evolved” after the war. Trang (our Editor-in-Chief) also experienced similar stories with some of her European friends. It seemed to us that many foreigners still think of Vietnam as a country struggling to recover economically. And despite of being pretty annoying, it was quite entertaining to see the expression of our friends when we kept them up to date. For those who have been to Vietnam, you know the situation For those who are wondering what’s going on over here: Yes, there are people who struggle to make ends meet, but if you are in the mood for a luxurious experience, many of the world’s most prestigious designer brands, restaurants, and hotels, are at your service.

Given that many people are still pretty vague about Vietnam and its culture, we hope to, from our perspective, offer you the most truthful, yet interesting insights into Vietnamese cuisine, culture, landscapes, and people. We will not sugar-coat our country by saying that you will absolutely love us here, because let’s face it, chances are you’re not gonna like the traffic, the somewhat annoying street vendors who will follow you around, and, worst case scenario, the pickpockets. On the bright side, though, many of the things about Vietnam can be highly addictive. While we are still making every effort to make a better Vietnam, we can provide you our most useful tips and tricks to make your trip in Vietnam as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Apart from facts, food, and suggestions, we want to provide you with stunning photos and experience that you might or might not be involved in. Yes, it will be frightening to cross the streets, which would be inevitable if you decided to travel to Vietnam. Yup, you definitely cannot miss Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, or Hue. But you might not have the chance to attend a Vietnamese wedding. If you travel in the summer, you won’t be able to see how we decorate for Christmas and get ready for the Tet holiday. If you visit the big cities, you might not be interested in places like Phu Yen or Sapa, the small venues that are hypnotizing nevertheless. As an insider, and really as someone who gets to live in Vietnam and do all of these things, we will capture the landscape and the moments to share them with you here on the blog, and we hope that you’ll like it.

So how is this related to food? Well, when the thought of spending time in Vietnam flashes through your mind, I’m sure you’ve made a list of must-visit places and probably have done some research about the best places to eat Pho (noodles soup with beef or chicken). But hey, did you know that Vietnamese cuisine is among the best in the world? Yes, you’re definitely in for some tasty treats Besides the beautiful landscape, the friendly people, and the hustle and bustle in the big cities, Vietnam is the perfect country for food lovers. You might find it a little weird to adjust to our taste at first, but when you’re ready to discover, it will be worth it. Or the way I call it, it’s not love at first sight, but it’s one that will last.

So without further ado, we invite you to join us as we begin our journey. Oh and if there’s anything about Vietnam that you’re interested in but is not mentioned in the blog, feel free to ask! We’re gonna sign off for now and see you again real soon .