The food in Vietnam deserves a special mention for being some of the most varied and flavourful in the whole of Asia.
Until 1954 much of Vietnam was occupied by the French, who brought with them the secret of making really great bread and fresh paté. When mixed with the Vietnamese's penchant for barbecued meats, the result was the oh so delicious Banh Mi, a French loaf filled with paté, sliced barbecued pork, coriander and spicy sauce. Each destination has its own take on the Banh Mi so be sure to sample as many as possible.
Another famous dish in Vietnam is Pho, a clear broth served with fresh noodles, sliced meats and garnished with herbs. Locals eat it for breakfast, but a bowl of steaming hot Pho is irresistible at any time of day. Try it with raw sliced beef, which cooks directly in the bowl while you eat it.
Another fine example of Vietnamese cuisine includes Bun Cha, rice noodles served with grilled marinated pork – certainly not a dish to be missed. In the south the must-taste dish is Com Tam (broken rice). In years gone by this was the food of peasants farming the land around Ho Chi Minh City, but it is now the choice of trendy city-dwellers.