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The Drifter Journals

Want to Have a Truly Authentic Experience in Vietnam? Here's How to do it!

12/30/2013

8 Comments

 
Riding the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam
Riding the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam [SOURCE]
If you are planning a trip to Vietnam in the near future, you will likely be looking for some ways to have the most authentic experience. After all it only makes sense to do justice to such an interesting country; of course there is the legacy of the war, but there is much for you to discover about modern Vietnam too. 

That is why you should separate your time between the cool mountain regions, emerald green waters and soft white beaches with some time in the towns and villages.
When it comes to towns and villages, there is really only one fool-proof way to get the experience that you are craving, and that is by trying the local cuisine. It really is an infusion of culture for all of your five senses. 

So get yourself down to the street markets and get involved! Here are a few tips on how to do it...

Spend a Day or Two With the Locals

Negotiations at the Fish Market in Vietnam
Negotiations at the Fish Market in Vietnam [SOURCE]
As a tourist in a country such as Vietnam, it can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive; that is why many people follow other tourists. Yet you could be missing out on amazing eateries with that attitude, so sign up for a private tour in Vietnam run by a local. 

They will show you where all of the best places to eat are, and might even bring you to have a home cooked meal with their family. 

Alternatively you could opt for a tasting tour such as “The Last Great Taste of Hoi An” - all of the stalls and sellers have been verified by a nutritionist which is important to some nervy Westerners.

Follow the locals to the Nearest Street Market

Binh Long | small town market / 小城市场 / chợ thành phố nhỏ
A Small Town Market in Binh Long, Vietnam[SOURCE]
If you are short of time and can’t arrange a tour at late notice, at least make the effort to head down to the street markets before noon. 

Avoiding the tourists can be a good thing as you will be able to follow the locals instead - and they will be the specialists when it comes to where to eat. 

General tourist places will sell a range of items, none of which will taste as authentic as where you can find it elsewhere.

Make a list of Vietnamese Dishes You Want to try

Vietnamese Pho meal in Vietnam
A Hot Meal of Vietnamese Pho[SOURCE]
Make sure you taste the things you have been meaning to try for a while, but it is also worth nibbling some items you have never heard of before. 

You will probably have heard of pho before, which is actually the national dish of Vietnam. It is made up of noodles, broth, herbs and chillies, and is sure to awaken your senses. 

Com tam is another popular choice; it generally incorporates glazed pork steak, meat loaf, omelette, and sticky broken rice. 

Of course in order to get the best selection of Vietnamese dishes, you should get to the markets early as sellers will pack up whenever they run out of ingredients - usually during the lunch hour.

Be Smart, Keep an eye on hygiene levels

A Hanoi Street Vendor Vietnam
A Hanoi Street Vendor[SOURCE]
However it is worth keeping in mind the hygiene of various sellers and stalls as you wouldn’t want to get poorly whilst on holiday - you would miss out on many more experiences! 

However most places actually do adhere to pretty good levels of hygiene, but just use your common sense and stay away from places with too many flies or rotten smells.
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8 Comments
Liv link
12/29/2013 08:58:32 pm

Going to Vietnam next year so enjoyed reading this. Thanks!

Reply
Maria link
1/1/2014 07:44:17 am

Great content and stunning photos. This site is time well spent.

Reply
Kalei
12/29/2013 11:01:57 pm

Mmmm... authentic pho. I'm sure it's WAY different from the one I tried here.

Reply
Jessica Wray link
1/5/2014 06:45:43 am

One of my favorite things about Vietnam was how authentic it felt. Totally agree on the food list....you never want to go into a country blind about the food. I always screen-shot a few dishes I should be looking for :)

Reply
Lily La link
1/5/2014 06:00:35 pm

Great post. Definitely spend time with the locals, their all very stereotypically different depending on where you go. In Hanoi, they're known to have a little more attitude than the friendly southerners - doesn't mean they're not nice or friendly to people, it's just the way they are! (if that makes sense). Tourists will only find that out once they get chatting to them. I miss the food of Vietnam tremendously - so good!

Reply
Britney McSweeney link
1/16/2014 11:30:42 am

I agree with the market suggestion! Not only is it one of my favorite places to photograph and explore, its awesome for people watching and just experiencing a country with the locals.

Reply
John Armstrong-Millar link
5/13/2014 01:04:39 am

Just spent 3 weeks out there in March, with a photographer friend who lives out there. It's a great place and if you have someone local to show you around it's truly fantastic.
There's a Vietnam section on the website.

Reply
Greta link
9/8/2014 11:54:01 pm

Vietnam has been on my bucket list since I ate my first pho. I would much travel this way- by intermingling with the people and the food markets, so will definitely keep it handy when I finally get around to planning that trip!
I also love your photos- especially the busy market scene where the one lady's face is the only thing discernible. Gorgeous!

Reply



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