VI
Give yourself a chance to explore with curiosity.
Minh Trinh (24 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) had the opportunity to visit Thailand for a month, during which she discovered and fell in love with the country's distinctive cuisine. With a preference for spicy and sour flavors, Minh Trinh quickly developed a fondness for Thai dishes with their rich flavors. Although there are similar dishes in Vietnam, the unique way Thai food is prepared has left a lasting impression on her.
A month in Thailand was enough for Minh Trinh to experience the unique culinary culture of the country.
Throughout her stay, food became an indispensable part of her life. Every day, the excitement of discovering new delicacies became an inseparable joy. She recalled that whenever she walked around the market near the hotel, or visited the weekend night market, every food stall lit up her heart. Unafraid to try new flavors, enjoying Thai cuisine was one of the most enjoyable experiences Minh Trinh had.
Despite being in a different country, she easily found Vietnamese food in the local market. This helped her feel close to and connected to her homeland even in a new land. Not only that, she also cooked Vietnamese dishes to treat her Thai friends. "Food connects everything; there's no need for anything extravagant. This is what cultural exchange is all about," Minh Trinh shared.
Thai cuisine is famous for its sour and spicy flavors.
Minh Trinh added: "Adaptability is a crucial factor when experiencing cuisine anywhere. With Thai fish rice, in the early days in Thailand, I initially disliked it because of the overwhelming fishy smell. However, by adding more dipping sauce to make it more palatable, I gradually adapted and became familiar with this unique dish. Even after returning to Vietnam, I still fondly remember the sweet and savory taste of Thai fish rice." She also emphasized, don't be afraid of food that doesn't suit your taste, but cleverly make those dishes more familiar by adding familiar seasonings.
Cultural distances are narrowed, fostering a connection through cuisine.
As for Ngoc Anh (29 years old, Hanoi), what she always prioritizes when traveling is communicating with the locals: "It's a great way to learn about the cuisine of the place you're traveling to. Ask about must-try food spots, famous dishes, and how to enjoy them properly. Locals will be happy to share their knowledge about the food and can give you great advice."
The scenery and the food are the two things Ngoc Anh remembers most about Lijiang.
Ngoc Anh's most memorable trip was connected to Lijiang's cuisine, where unique, traditional flavors captivated the hearts of countless tourists. Street food stalls, food vendors, and restaurants were bustling with tourists and locals alike. Ngoc Anh and her friends were amazed by the diversity and distinctiveness of the local cuisine.
Through each sincere interaction with the locals, she was introduced to and discovered many delicious dishes. "Fried tofu" - a simple yet delicious dish - captivated Ngoc Anh from the first bite. Along with that, "Oysters stir-fried in fish sauce," a refined seafood dish combined with the rich flavor of fish sauce, left her and her friends constantly praising it.
The trip was made even more wonderful by the delicious eateries recommended by the locals.
Thanks to the dedicated guidance of the locals, Ngoc Anh also discovered hidden eateries in small alleys, places known only to those familiar with the local culinary secrets. These restaurants are not only famous for their delicious food but also highly regarded for their excellent quality. "Each restaurant bears the distinct mark of the people of Lijiang, from the cozy atmosphere to the fresh ingredients and attentive service. We not only experienced the unique flavors but were also inspired by the passion of the people working in this culinary field," Ngoc Anh recalled.
Preparation is necessary, along with an open mind to embrace new cultures.
During her trip to India, a country renowned for its distinctive culinary culture, Thi An (25 years old, Ho Chi Minh City), a lifelong vegetarian, had many interesting experiences. "Thanks to careful preparation and an open mind, I not only found delicious vegetarian food but also fully enjoyed the trip, without being distracted by food concerns," Thi An shared.
For Thi An, opening her heart to embrace differences makes every experience more memorable.
India has a large vegetarian population, so finding suitable dishes isn't difficult. Thi An emphasizes, however, that to better adapt to the country's cuisine, you need to prepare a strong stomach to explore the diverse dishes. You can also prepare chili sauce, salt and pepper, soy sauce, various types of porridge, noodles, and lightly dried vegetarian foods to bring along on days when the food doesn't suit your taste.
Indian cuisine is primarily characterized by its spiciness and strong flavors.
Unlike other tourists, Thi An's trips to India are mostly spiritual pilgrimages with large groups. Therefore, her meals are more relaxed, with most meals being vegetarian meals ordered from hotels, with tastes quite similar to Vietnamese cuisine. As someone who is always adaptable to situations, Thi An doesn't place too much emphasis on food when traveling. For her, she can easily accept the cuisine of any country. Each journey brings interesting experiences, and the unique cuisine of each country plays a significant role in those countless experiences. "You might be a little unhappy if the food doesn't suit you, but trips are for learning new things, and so is food. The spicy, flavorful Indian food will forever be etched in my mind, unforgettable. As long as you open your heart to it, everything will be simple," Thi An said.
