What can I say. You are amazing. The Hà Giang Loop exceeded all expectations and changed my life. Hanoi has got to be the most beautiful mix of tiny alleys, French architecture and the best pho I’ve ever had. I could live there. Not to mention the cafes. The cafes! I love the cafes. The tiny tables. The little stools. The thick Vietnamese robusta coffee and all its variations. Coconut coffee. Egg coffee. And salt coffee in Hue? Get out of here! Each region has its own unique tastes and flavors. For example, Ninh Binh has coconut ice cream with corn rice on the bottom. Here in Huế (where I am currently writing) has bún bò huế, obviously, but also cơm hến (clam rice), nem lui (lemongrass skewers), chè bắp (sweet corn pudding), and many more foods I’ve never encountered before. All delicious in their own ways. 

I usually get bored of a food after a while. I sometimes feel that way about Japanese food, Thai food, Cambodian food, even the delicious foods in Myanmar, but here in Vietnam? Never. The bún chả, the phở gà, the bánh mì. I never get sick of it. I love it all.

Vietnam, I love you.

by Jason Lam