Rainbow Tourism Vietnam - Gay and Lesbian Travel to Vietnam

Vietnam Praised for LGBT Rights Achievements

dee — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:03:56 +0000

Recently, the United Nations’ Vietnam Coordinator congratulated Vietnam on the contributions to the advancement of LGBT rights movement in the South East Asian countries in recent years.

He Pratibha Mehta said “The progress is very important to help people better understand, reduce social prejudice and discrimination on sexual orientation and gender identity. Progress was also noted by the development of legislation to ensure the rights of the LGBT community. ”

Last year, the first Gay Pride parade in Vietnam was launched, and this year already the Vietnamese LGBT rights organization held coordinated events in 4 major cities – Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho for IDAHO.

Viet Pride 2013 will be held from 2 to 4 August in Hanoi, with film showings, workshops, report of Say Yes to Employment Equality Campaign, Strive with Pride scholarships and more. The “Strive with Pride” bicycle rally repeats due to high popularity in the first-ever Pride Parade in 2012.

More information on website and social media

http://www.vietpride.info/

https://www.facebook.com/VietPride2013?fref=ts

For insider info, contact Rainbow Tourism Vietnam.

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The Pink Way Along the Mighty Mekong

dee — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:19:26 +0000

Have you dreamed of exploring the Mekong Delta? The first-ever LGBT trip through Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong Delta happens October 15-30 2013. Get packing for this exclusive lesbian and gay travel event.

The Mekong River has its origin in the Tibetan highland plateau 2,800 miles away from the delta. From its source, the river makes its way through China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam before flowing into the South China Sea.

The Mekong’s Vietnamese name, Cuu Long, means “Nine Dragons” for the nine mouths that terminate the flow of this great river as it is absorbed by the sea.

Highlights of the Mekong Delta Cruise portion include:
October 25, 2013 – Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – Tan Chau (Vietnam)
Spend a day cruising the Mekong River and crossing the border . The vessel moors at the small town of Tan Chau.
October 26 – Tan Chau – Sa Dec
After breakfast, transfer to small boats, which will navigate through narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. You will also visit a catfish farm and a rattan mat and slipper-making workshop . Back ashore, a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. In the afternoon, the boat cruises downstream to Sa Dec, where it will moor overnight.
October 27 – Sa Dec – Xeo Quyt – Cai Be
In the morning, board a local boat for Sa Dec, passing floating markets as you boat maneuvers through the river’s channels. Once ashore, you will tour Sa Dec, noteworthy as the town where the French writer Marguerite Dumas spent many years, plus visit a local market, a Fujian Temple and a small museum. Afterwards board a motor coach for the 1-hour ride to Xeo Quyt, used as a base during the French and U.S. wars and now an important ecological site. After lunch on board, a local boat goes to Cai Be’s spectacular floating market. Guests can go ashore to see candy and rice paper workshops.

View itinerary There are 2 options: 1. Full trip of 16 days (cruise & land); 2. Cruise part of 9 days.
From US$2799 per person for cruise only and from US$4799 per person for cruise and land package.
Bookings and inquires – info@rainbowtourismvietnam.com

The Water World of Dong Thap Muoi

dee — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:11:51 +0000

Considered to be the upper part of the Mekong Delta, Dong Thap Muoi has wonderful ecotourism offerings, especially during the flood season that takes place from September to December every year. The program consists of providing visitors water passage through indigo forests where they can see the beauty of nature, get a glimpse of the lives of the inhabitants, and sample very special southern foods.

If you’re part of the historic, first-ever gay cruise through the Mekong Delta next October, you will witness all this and more.

Encompassing 700,000 hectares of land and water, this region is renowned for its interlacing network of channels and canals. Along the way, an interesting place to visit is the Dong Thap Muoi Medicinal Herbs Research, Conservation and Development Center where numerous kinds of medicinal herbs are grown plus 600ha of tram gio (a kind of cajuput tree) and tram tra (an Australian kind of cajuput) forest.

Go Thap is in the highest part of Dong Thap Muoi and is considered to be the heart of the area. This area is above the floodwaters.

Here, archaeologists have found the base of four towers of the Phu Nam Kingdom that existed 1,500-1,800 years ago and the tomb and temple of Princess Nguyen Phuc Hang Nga. Also of interest here are temples built to honor Nguyen Duy Duong and Nguyen Tan Kieu who led an insurgency against the French, plus old war administrative council facilities and other historic spots.

The Xeo Quyt and Gao Giong historic sites which are located along the Xeo Quyt canals are two more places that visitors to Dong Thap Muoi should not miss. It takes one about 40 minutes to go from the Hiep My market to Xeo Quyt by boat.

Gao Giong is a green oasis that is most beautiful during the flood season. During this time it is surrounded by vast areas that are under water yet full of yellow dien dien flowers, violet water lilies and pink lotus flowers.

There are many kinds of fish and shrimp in Dong Thap Muoi during the flood season so anyone coming at this time has the opportunity to enjoy great food prepared with fresh vegetables… meals like grilled loc fish wrapped in a lotus leaf, stork soup, snake soup with mung beans, grilled field mouse, boiled rice wrapped in lotus leaves, dien dien flower soup, steamed snails with pepper – and more.

Enjoying southern foods with a cup of sticky rice wine and bee honey followed by a lay on a hammock, cooled by a soft breeze… the good life.

The first-ever LGBT trip through Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong Delta happens October 15-30 2013.

Bookings and inquires – info@rainbowtourismvietnam.com.

Ao Dai – Traditional Vietnamese Dress

dee — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:51:11 +0000

For most visitors, lesbian and gay alike, one of the lasting impressions is the beauty of Vietnamese women dressed in their Ao Dais. These long flowing dresses worn over loose-fitting trousers are considered to be the national dress of women. It is hard to think of a more elegant, demure and yet sexy outfit, that suits Vietnamese women of all ages than the Ao Dai.

Early versions of this costume date back to 1744, when men and women to wore a trouser and gown ensemble that buttoned down the front. Although popular, it generally was worn only on ceremonial occasions such as at weddings and funerals. It took another 20 years before the next major design change occurred and nearly another 200 years before the modern Ao Dai emerged.

During the 1950s, two Saigon tailors, Tran Kim of Thiet Lap Tailors and Dung of Dung Tailors, started producing the gowns with raglan sleeves. This created a diagonal seam running from the collar to the underarm and is the preferred style today.

There have been many stylish alterations in color and collar design in the past four decades. Most noticeable is the gradual shortening of the gown’s length, such that today, it is usually just below the knee. Variations in the neck collar, between boat and mandarin style, are common.

But more adventurous alterations such as low scooped necklines, puffed sleeves, and off-the-shoulder designs are emerging as more women experiment with fashion. Every Ao Dai is custom-made, and with less rigid control over color and access to new fabrics, the newest creations have had dazzling results.

Cruising the Mekong Delta and Touring Vietnam & Cambodia – October 15-30, 2013

dee — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:44:47 +0000

Rainbow Tourism Vietnam’s upcoming adventure trip (October 15-30, 2013 ) is historic: the first-ever LGBT cruise down the Mekong River!

Take this tour – both land and cruise-only options – and you’ll discover two countries, two cultures, and two ways of life linked by one river.

Vietnam-Cambodia-Mekong Delta Cruise

View itinerary
From US$2799 per person for cruise only and from US$4799 per person for cruise and land package exclusively for LGBT travelers.
Bookings and inquires – info@rainbowtourismvietnam.com

Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Private Tours Open for Departures

dee — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:26:16 +0000

Rainbow TourismVietnam has introduced a range of private departures for one of its most popular group tours for travelacross northern and southern Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Along the way, enjoy Nha Trang Beach, one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world.

The private tours for a minimum of two and maximum of 12 friends means you choose from multi-day itineraries and set your own departure date during 2013 at guaranteed rates regardless of the season of travel.

No more being locked into set small group departures with strangers
Your choice of options, your choice when to travel
Same rate for private as group departures, same rate all year-round
Gay guide-led side excursions available

The three options are based on established group tours but updated for 2013 and with a gay guide providing free time suggestions at the more popular gay destinations along the trail. For instance, Chiang Mai has a vibrant gay scene. You should definitely plan to spend some time there. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are more low-key compared to Thailand, but still fun and fascinating. Gay bars and bath-houses can be found in each of these cities.

IndoChine Bus Tour from Bangkok to Saigon

13-Day Option from $1375 USD per person
Day 1: Arrive Bangkok
Pick up you at airport and transfer to hotel. Have dinner and freetime at bar, pub at Suriwong areas. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok – Siemreap
6.30am: Have breakfast at hotel and check out for depart to Siemreap (Cambodia).
11.30am: Stop at Poipet border gate for lunch by yourself and get immigration into Cambodia.
3.30pm: Arrive Siemreap, check in hotel and enjoy with Apsara traditional dance show with buffee dinner. Overnight in Siemreap.

Day 3: Angkor temple all day
After breakfast at hotel, visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom (Bayon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and Taprohm temple.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the mother of all temple. Enjoy sunset over Angkor from Phnom Bakheng.
Free for dinner and shopping at night market. Overnight in Siemreap.

Day 4: Siemreap – Phnompenh
Breakfast at hotel and check out depart for Phnompenh at 7.00am.
Arrive phnompenh at 12.30pm, have lunch and check in hotel.
Afternoon, visit Wat Phnom pagoda, Cambodian Royal Palace and relax at some sauna in Phnompenh. Have dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Phnompenh.

Day 5: Phnompenh – Saigon
Freetime in the morning for relax or shopping.
11.30am: Get bus to Saigon (vietnam). Have lunch on way.
4.30pm: Arrive Saigon, check in hotel and have dinner. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 6: Saigon city tour
After breakfast at hotel. Visit Giac Lam pagoda, Thien Hau temple and Nha rong wharf.
Have lunch at local restaurant. And continues to visit Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post office. The end for shopping at Ben Thanh Market.
Have dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Day 7: Mekong Delta trip day
7.00am: Depart Saigon to Vinh Long province of Mekong delta area.
Arrive at 9.30am, take a boat trip to discover the beautiful Cai Be float market with local people being selling, buying, exchange goods from their boats. Going to the local village to visit orchard, rice paper making and discover local life there.
Take a rowing along the narrow canal with beautiful scenery to see peaceful life of village.
Have lunch with traditional foods of the south of Vietnam.
3.00pm: Back to Saigon from Cai Be Float market.
5.00pm: Arrive Saigon, free for leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 8: Saigon – Phan Thiet
Breakfast at hotel and depart to Phan Thiet beach at 7.30am.
11.30am: Arrive Phan Thiet, check in the resort, have lunch and free for relax on beach.
Overnight in Phan Thiet.

Day 9: Phan Thiet
7.30am: After breakfast at hotel, free for swimming at the most beautiful beach in Vietnam.
Have lunch at restaurant.
3.30pm: Visit fishing village, white sand Dunes, Lotus lake, yellow sand dunes in the afternoon and back to resort. Have dinner and free. Overnight in Phan Thiet.

Day 10: Phan Thiet – Nha Trang
Breakfast at hotel and free for relax.
Have lunch and check out for depart to Nha Trang city at 1.30pm.
6.00pm: Arrive Nha Trang, check in hotel and have dinner. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 11: Nha Trang
After breakfast at hotel, enjoy Island tour: Visit Mun island, Mot island, lunch and enjoy floating mini-bar, the fishing village (caged fish breeding + local villager).
Finish at 4.00pm and back to hotel. Swimming at Nha Trang beach.

Day 12: Nha Trang – Saigon
After breakfast, back to Saigon at 7.30am by seat bus (about 8 hours). Have lunch at Phan Thiet city.
4.30pm: Arrive Saigon, check in hotel and free.
Note: Guests can elect more free time at Nha Trang Beach and get back to Saigon at 8.30 pm by sleeping bus. Overnight on bus.

Day 13: Saigon. The end of trip.
Free for leisure before departure.

21-Day Itinerary from $2265 USD per person

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok
Pick up you at airport and transfer to hotel. Have dinner and free time at bar, pub at Suriwong areas. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 7: Mekong delta trip day
7.00am: Depart Saigon to Vinh Long province of Mekong delta area.
Arrive at 9.30am, take a boat trip to discover the beautiful Cai Be float market with local people being selling, buying, exchange goods from their boats. Going to the local village to visit orchard, rice paper making and discover local life there.
Take a rowing along the narrow canal with beautiful scenery to see peaceful life of village.
Have lunch with traditional foods of the south of Vietnam.
3.00pm: Back to Saigon from Cai Be Float market.
5.00pm: Arrive Saigon, free for leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12: Nha Trang – Hoi An
Breakfast and visit Nha Trang city with long Son pagoda, Hon Chong areas, Ponagar Tower and take a Mud-bath for relax.
7.00pm: Catch the sleeping bus to Hoi An. Overnight on bus.

Day 13: Hoi An
Arrive Hoi An at 6.30am. Check in hotel and have breakfast.
In the afternoon, discover Hoi An old town by cycling and relax at Cua Dai beach. Have dinner and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 14: Hoi an – Da Nang – Hue
Freetime at Hoi An.
Have lunch at local restaurant and move to Hue at 1.30pm.
Arrive Hue at 4.30pm. Check in hotel and have dinner with Hue traditional show on boat. Overnight in Hue.

Day 15: City tour Hue
In the morning, visit Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Ding emperor tomb. Have lunch at restaurant.
In the afternoon: Visit Hue Citadel, Royal Palace and Thien Mu pagoda. Shopping at Dong Ba market.
Overnight in Hue

Day 16: Hue – Hanoi
Breakfast at hotel and free to discover Hue city or relax at Thuan An beach (10km from centrel). Have lunch at restaurant.
6.00pm: Check out hotel and depart for Hanoi by sleeping bus.
Overnight on bus.

Day 17: City tour in Hanoi
7.00am: Arrive Hanoi. Check in hotel and free.
After lunch, Visit ethnology museum, Ba Dinh Square, One pillar pagoda and Sword Lake. Shopping at China town of Hanoi and the end with water pupet show at 6.30.
Have dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 18: Hanoi – Halong
8.00am: After breakfast at hotel, Tour guide and car will pick us up and we start our 3,5 hours drive to Halong City stopping on the way for some refreshments and local hospitality.
12.00am: Upon arrival at Halong City, we transfer to our boat for a cruise in the stunning Halong Bay. Sea food lunch will be served on board.
We will visit one of the most beautiful caves of Halong – Surprise Cave. Then our cruise is going to Titop island and beach for swimming or climb up to the top of the island for outstanding panoramic view of the Bay. Overnight on board.

Day 19: Halong – Hanoi
Enjoy a view with Halong bay sunrise and breakfast.
8.30am: Take local bamboo boat to visit a tunnel cave – Green lagoon, one of highlight in Halong.
10.30am: Continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas – Bai Tu Long bay. Then return to harbour for lunch in Halong city.
1.00pm: Transfer back to Ha Noi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 20: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
7.30am: Pick up at hotel and and depart to Ninh Binh prov (about 100km from Hanoi).
10.00am: Arrive Ninh Binh prov, take you to visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Vietnam from 10 century.
12.00am: Have lunch and boarding to visit Tam Coc with means literally “Three caves” – Halong Bay on land with green field of rice.
5.00pm: Back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi or catch the train to Sapa after dinner. Overnight on train with 4 beds- cabin share.

Day 21: Hanoi. The end of trip.
Free time until your departure.

24-dayOption from $2630 USD per person.

All of 21-day itinerary plus 3-day extension.
Day 21: Sapa
6.00am: Arrive Lao Cai station. Have breakfast.
7.30am: Catch the bus to Sapa town (40km).
12.00am: Have lunch at local restaurant and climb up to Ham Rong mountain. Visit Orchid garden, heaven gate, Cloudy ground and see the roof of Indochina, Fansipan top mountain.
Have dinner and discover local life in Sapa of ethnical people here. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 22: Sapa – Hanoi
Have breakfast at hotel and walking to Cat Cat village, a famous village of H’mong people, a main group who lives in Sapa town. Discover their life and watch traditional dance shows.Back to central for lunch and free time.
3.00pm: Down to Lao Cai station to catch the train to Hanoi at 6.30pm after dinner. Overnight on train with 4 beds cabin share.

Day 23: Free day for relax in Hanoi
5.00am: Arrive Hanoi station. Check in hotel and overnight.

Day 24: Hanoi.The end of trip.
Free until your departure.

Trip includes:

Accommodation twin sharing room with daily American Buffet Style Breakfast (2-3 star hotels, resorts and Rainbow Homestay in Hanoi)
Most meals
All transfers within the journey, including pick-up & drop-off at airports on arrival and departure days
All bus and taxi fares from Bangkok to Hanoi.
All entrance and sightseeing fees
English speaking guides (other languages available upon request)
Purified water and wet towel.
Cruise in Halong Bay and bike rental.

Trip exclusions:

Visa stamping fees (Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam)
International flights & airport taxes
Other meals

For more information, talk to the Rainbow Tourism concierge in Hanoi.

Da Lat Delights Visitors with Charm, Culture and Flowers

dee — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:42:23 +0000

Da Lat city is in Lam Dong province in the central highland, about 350km from Ho Chi Minh city and 1,500km from Hanoi. Da Lat was founded in 1897 when developers realised the area could become a favorable resort town; it still bears a look of an Old French city.

Da Lat is often referred to as the French Alps – especially in springtime. While small, it is big on charm, and the surrounding countryside is magnificent with numerous lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and flower gardens. Tourists must visit Da Lat flower gardens for a smell and visual treat of orchids, roses, lilies and camellias.

Not only flowers are diverse and plentiful; so are other products like silk and vegetables. The region is an important supply source for the whole country.

However, the most significant contribution to the economy is tourism. Every year, more than a million domestic and foreign tourists travel here. Among them, it is a favorite destination for couples on their honeymoon or celebrating romantic occasions. To that end, everyone calls Da Lat “The city of flowers and love.”

The population in the city composes about 5000 hill tribes, which make up 33 distinct communities in Lam Dong province. Traditional dress can occasionally be spotted in the markets. Hill-tribe women in the region carry their infants on their backs by a long piece of cloth worn over one shoulder and tied in the front.

Nowadays, tourists not only discover Da Lat alone, but they also visit Langbian Highland and can experience myraid ethnic minorities in the surrounding area.

With the highest peak at 2,165 m, Langbian Mountain is very tempting for climbers. From Lom Bieng Klo peak, tourists can see endless green mountain ranges reflecting the silver rays of the sun. They can also do some activities such as parachuting and trekking.

The Da Lat area used to be a famous area for hunting and a 1950s brochure boasted that ‘a two-hour drive from the town leads to several game-rich areas abundant in deer, roe, peacocks, pheasants, wild boar, black bear, wild cats, panthers, tigers, gaurs and elephants. So successful were the hunters that all of the big game is now extinct.

Mekong Float Markets Slice of Culture

dee — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:11:18 +0000

Mekong River markets have been described as “a beautiful river painting,” and more aptly “fresh fruit and vegetable supermarkets on poles.”

The Mekong Delta is famous for its floating markets, notably the larger and oldest ones at Phung Hiep and Cai Be. Tourists can visit the floating market to experience how people exchange goods. But for farmers, this way of buying and selling is an inseparable part of their daily lives. At the floating markets, you do not only find people buying and selling goods, you also find floating restaurants, bars, gas stations and myriad shops.

Phung Hiep is Largest and Busiest

The biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta is the busy market of Phung Hiep. To visit this floating market, you should stay in the Mekong Delta area to avoid missing this early morning experience. Wake up early and take one of the motorized boats – even before you have your eye opener. Trading begins as early as 4.00 am, and by sunrise, the waterways are clogged with the sampans of marketeers and customers. By 11am, the action ends.

On a typical day, you might see coconuts, mangoes, a heap of turtles, a box of snakes or even a pot-bellied pig being paddled from a riverside village to be haggled over. Vendors of smaller items hoist a sample of their wares on a bamboo pole. Shoppers come by land and water, and as they stumble from boat to boat, they often interrupt their shopping to enjoy bowls of noodles prepared, rather alarmingly, on open fires in special ‘fast food’ sampans.

Cai Be is Busy Wholesale Market

Cai Be, one of the many well-known floating markets in the western region of Southern Vietnam, was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th Century. The floating market lies in the Tien River, adjacent to three provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre. The market is divided into two parts: buying and selling places.

This market is always busy, with goods transported to the market by rafts and boats. From 3 am, approximately 400 to 500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other products are anchored along the both banks of the river. The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a pole in front of the boat to attract customers. From the floating market, goods are shifted for selling at inland markets or small boats take them for delivery along canals in the Plain of Reeds.

Traders live on the river and some link their lives with boats like their mobile house for generations. Their boats also operate like “taxis,” very convenient for tourists. Along the criss -crossing canals, people in the Plain of Reeds take not only goods of each countryside to the Cai Be Floating Market, but also their unique cultural characteristics, creating a beautiful river painting.

By Hoang Van Chuyen, Mr. Rainbow Tourism Vietnam.

Mekong Delta Tour: Vietnam & Cambodia

dee — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:18:31 +0000

South Vietnam & Cambodia via Mekong River
Ca Mau Province is the the start. Ends in Phnom Penh. Via Vinh Xuong boder gate.

Vietnam highlight

We visited the national flag from North Nose of Vietnam (Lung Cu Nose in Ha Giang province). This flag is 54 square metre, the same as 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

After 4 days in Vietnam, visiting Ca Mau province and Phu Quoc Island, we went to Cambodia by boat on Mekong River.

Cambodia highlight

The small group tour spent 5 days in Cambodia, 3 days seeing Angkor and Bang Melea temples, and a day in the capital city, Phnom penh.

“It’s great trip,” says Hoang. Who wants to go on the 2013 departures?

Discover the Mekong Delta with Rainbow Tourism Vietnam on 11-day tour.

Get more information.

Traditional Tastes: Street Food of Vietnam

dee — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 05:23:21 +0000

What are the “must try” street foods in Vietnam? See if your favorite is on this list, says Rainbow Tourism Vietnam tour guide in Hanoi. According to Hoang Van Chuyen, “Street food experiences are very popular on our tours.”

Hoang reports that a Saigon insider has compiled his list of top 10 – two of which – beef noodles and summer roll – are considered among the world’s 50 most delicious foods.

Beef noodles (Phở bò)
This could be the No 1 street food in Vietnam and most recognizable Vietnamese food outside of the country.
Saigon baguette (Bánh mỳ Sài Gòn)
Along with beef noodles, Saigon baguette (bánh mỳ Saigon) is the most famous dish outside of Vietnam, something that tourist rave and hype about.
Broken rice (Cơm tấm)
My all time favorite, but modern “cơm tấm” is quite different from the traditional.
Sticky rice (Xôi)
This is a great breakfast dish that give you a boost of added energy.
Rice noodles (Bún)
The most popular dish with rice noodles (bún) could be bún thịt nướng (rice noodles with grilled pork), bún riêu (rice noodles with sour crab soup)or bún chả giò (rice noodles with deep fried spring rolls.
Roll cake (Bánh cuốn)
Made from rice, steamed and served with sweet, spicy fish sauce, ham and blanched bean sprouts, herbs. Both are most popular but wet cake (bánh ướt) could be more popular as street food in Sài Gòn as it’s easy to sell from a moving cart!
Papaya salad with pork liver (gỏi bò)
Made from shreds of young papaya, served in sour-sweet spicy sauce, topped with roasted peanut, Vietnamese basil, shrimp cracker and most important beef liver or lung that has been braised in secret aromatic dark sweet sauce with probably different spices!
Big noodles (Bánh canh)
I always call it jokingly “udon” due to its jumbo size! In South we have bánh canh with pork knuckle (bánh canh giò heo), or with crab (bánh canh cua). Very popular.
Yellow noodles (mỳ đủ thứ)
Good for breakfast or late night meal! Yellow noodles can go with either seafood, chicken, pork or little of everything ).
Fresh spring roll (Gỏi cuốn)
The most popular among the rolls – deep fried spring rolls but as street food.

Read more.