Saigon comfort food: Eric and Sophie Banh make it easy to cook great Vietnamese at home

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, when Sophie Banh couldn't find the Vietnamese dishes she was craving in Seattle, she persuaded her brother Eric to open a restaurant with her. Called Monsoon, it was the first of several restaurants from the Banhs that have introduced Seattle to a modern Vietnamese cuisine grounded in traditions from their childhood in Saigon.

"It makes Sophie and me happy to cook what we remember," says Eric. Even though they depart from their grandmother's dishes by using Northwest ingredients, "it's not really fusion," he says. The smell of her cooking is still there."

On a recent drizzly day, Eric and Sophie welcomed Sunset into the kitchen of their more casual restaurant, Ba Bar, to show us how to cook some of their favorite at-home dishes. Although the more exotic ingredients they use (broken rice! shiso! pickled leeks!) can be substituted with easy-to-find choices, a trip to the Asian grocery store is a worthwhile part of the cooking adventure too.
Sauteed bean sprouts and Chinese chives are a true comfort dish that every family in Saigon makes. Its ultrasimple, deliciously crunchy, and ready in a flash. If you can't locate Chinese chives (see photo at right), use green onions instead.

1 tbsp. fish sauce, preferably Red Boat
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. Shaoxing rice wine
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 rounded tbsp. minced garlic
6 cups bean sprouts, rinsed and dried
5 oz. Chinese chives, ends trimmed, cut into 2-in.
lengths, or green onions, dark green part only (cut
lengthwise in half first)
Salt and pepper

1. Blend your cooking sauce: In a small bowl, mix together
fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine.

2. Have your other ingredients lined up next to the stove:
oil, garlic, bean sprouts, and Chinese chives. "For extra
flavor, use the oil left  from frying the shallots for the
salad,"  says Sophie (salad recipe is on page 94). You'll
also want salt and pepper handy.

3. Heat a large-12 in. or wider--heavy skillet or wok over
high heat. Swirl in oil. Toss in garlic and fry, stirring
constantly, until it just begins to brown, about 15
seconds. Add bean sprouts and cooking sauce and fry, stirring
and tossing, about 90 seconds. Sprinkle in chives and cook,
tossing well, 30 to 60 seconds. "The chives should  be barely
cooked--darker but not wilted," Sophie says.

4. Remove pan from heat and stir in a couple of pinches of
pepper, plus salt to taste. Lift the sprouts out of the hot
pan and onto a platter quickly, so they don't continue cooking.
"That keeps them crunchy. And putting them on a  platter
instead of in a bowl keeps them from steaming."

Ba Na Hills recognized as the tourist attraction in Vietnam

Overcoming many candidates, Ba Na Hills became the only resort Tourism Association of Vietnam and Vietnam National Administration of Tourism recognized tourist attractions in Vietnam

This is a prestigious award of the tourism industry was held in celebration of 55 years of establishment of branches. Overcoming many famous candidates, Ba Na Hills has been recognized as a tourist attraction in Vietnam and this destination is a positive contribution to the development of Da Nang in particular, as well as  Central Heritage Road.

Located atop Ba Na Mountain, Ba Na Hills resort attracts tourists to Danang city and the Central Provinces.
With space entertainment featured include: French Village with stories about the romance under the old dome, about reeu style castle ...; Flower Garden of Love (L'Amour De Jadin) with hundreds of species of blooming flowers; or train climbing for the first time in Vietnam; Park ancient wine cellar by the French personally created and bar located inside the mountain Debay built from 1923 relatively intact; Linh Ung Pagoda contemplation the Buddha statue majesty is considered the largest Vietnam today. 

Especially Playground Fantasy Park is 1 in 5 indoor amusement park largest in Asia with many attractive games, and waxwork exhibition area first and only one in Vietnam with more than 40 statues are politicians and the star of music
To Bana hills, we can't miss a unique culinary culture with street food tour in hanoi and France restaurant chain menus with Asia, Europe, the same class accommodation service will bring tourists to experience the flavor of cuisines format from the regions, different countries. 

And having the cable car system made four world records and is ranked 3rd position among top 11 most impressive cable car world by the UK's Telegraph newspaper.

Aim to reach more for Vietnamese culinary culture and brand

Development Vietnamese culinary culture and nation branding should always be done in parallel, supporting each other. National brand more and more people around the world access to, know, love, the greater the value, the great impetus to the development of the country.

Without a good image of the country, even the product, how well services are also difficult to generate the trust of customers around the world. Beautiful pictures of the country, the national brand of Vietnam have always present in the minds of international consumers. When choosing food industry to build national brand, the Vietnam restaurants, especially noodle restaurants, hanoi egg coffee, teahouses Vietnam to back to a mixture of food and exhibited pictures art, music Vietnam, ... to create a space very Vietnam - a rice culture characterized in anywhere.

Our country equity strength with exports mainly agriculture - fisheries. With a strategy to build smart picture, Vietnam can build attached to feel "close to nature - ecology", "fresh food - green food, for health", ... from which to raise awareness about the unique Vietnamese cuisine, make an impression different from other cuisines of the world.

Vietnamese food is usually prepared in the traditional method, less dependent on the concentration of aromas which focused on the herb is good for health, but few calories. In fact, the traditional flavors of Vietnam as coriander, mint, basil, star anise, pepper has long been used as measures to prevent and cure the disease.

Today, when the culture of fast food (fast food) are flooding the market, health problems consumers increasingly attention as a chance to assert a new culinary culture - literature green cuisine, because health Vietnamese cuisine is the pioneer who advance.

To do so, need to invest in quality - the quality of raw materials is the first element. Agricultural development should receive serious attention from government and business. Should focus research and application of modern science, support local farmers increase yields and quality of agricultural products, developing supply chain coupled with an effective brand strategy.

Gradually branding Vietnamese agricultural products quality and hygiene, ensuring satisfaction export conditions even for the most difficult countries.

The human factor also needs to be emphasized. Besides standardized dishes, recipes, enhancing the value of Vietnamese food, need to standardize training of chefs and staff travel. Chef, staff should be to create conditions for trainees abroad, contacts, learn to how to prepare, cuisine, professional service manager of international friends, especially in the country West and Japan to make the application for the water services sector.

Build beautiful images of Vietnam in the eyes human world friends: friendly, hospitable, professional, enthusiastic, thoughtful, dedicated and ...

Besides, construction companies need to develop standard restaurant is internationally recognized broadcast to the world or organize tourism product such as hanoi street food walking tour. Raising the stature Vietnam cuisine, creating added value for food products branded Vietnam. Vietnamese Restaurant to present unified Vietnamese style from decoration, cups, dishes, art, music. Bring the atmosphere very "Vietnam" by little spread to the world. Each stroke, sketch Vietnamese brand image in the minds of international friends.

In parallel with the focus changes a Vietnam picture rich with national identity to the world, much of the strategy required the user to the children of the country, home.

Because in the long run, a country's image is also what the people of that country feel. National branding is not just happening in overnight, its a long process, cross-cutting, need to join hands and efforts of the whole nation. There should be ways, these programs promote food culture, the people, the country, the beauty of Vietnam, from which evoke our national pride, confidence in the nation's development.

Thereby calling each self-conscious people to change themselves, proper awareness on the situation of the country, efforts to contribute to building brand Cultures and world outreach Vietnam.

Then 20 years later, despite the go anywhere, we all can be proud to introduce the "I AM THE VIETNAM".

The most attractive destinations in Hanoi suburban

The Thanh Chuong Vietnamese government , Ba Vi National Park are where you can visit on the weekend without getting tired, affects energy for the next week

Here are suitable places for short day trip on weekends.

1.Thanh Chuong Vietnamese government

Located in the foothills of the Soc Son mountain at Hien Ninh village, Thanh Chuong Vietnamese government is the destination you can go in one day trip. This is the ancient area, spatial representations of the ancient Vietnamese people. The Telegraph votes Thanh Chuong is one of the most exciting destinations in Hanoi along with the Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam.

The landsacpe of Thanh Chuong is the opposite of noisy streets. Here you can enjoy yourself in pure nature, sitting on the couch base bamboo mat porch or three times. Here doesn’t have the modern stuff that instead of journey to find the distant memory of every visitor.

A highlight of Thanh Chuong is you do not need to bring food. There is a restaurant chain. You can dine in the quiet atmosphere.

The colorful Mid-Autumn Festival

The variety of traditional and modern toys have been launched on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn festival. Everything has got a specific color, red, green... or black all are exposed to attract pedestrians

Most participants are young people who are eager to join this festival with colourful masks or unique toys. The entire of the mid-autumn festival street in the Old Quarter becomes extremely noisy.

Star lights is still toys must have during the Autumn, and the price is low.

Star lights and pull lights are found to buy much to meet children's needs

The safe toys made in Vietnam is increasing, competition with imported toys.

The mid-autumn festival with lots of young generation going out with friends

Fruit salad Stalls spread from Hoan Kiem lake to Dong Xuan market

At the mid-autumn festival, many people flock here before the festival

The children taken here along with parents to play in late afternoon as not crowed

Compared with star lights, lion head toys sold not as well as star lights

Autumn toys made of beautiful fruits.

A shop selling Chinese masks.

Hanoi: Need 30 billion for renovation and rebuilding Lan Ong street in the Old Quarter

On 09/01/2015, the Lan Ong preservation project has been officially completed. With 2 streets,67 house numbers have been restored successfully for 2 years, Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board handled the large quantity of work preserving some old houses in nearly 20 years ago ...

Ta Hien Old quarter architectural preservation project completed in 2014 brings high economic efficiency and becomes one of the highlights of the Old Quarter. In 2014, Hoan Kiem District People's Committee continued to amend Lan Ong street to reconstruct the old architectural aspect of old streets, but still meet residents’ business or life.

The target of renovation is both to promote trade and attract tourists but also enrich cultural and historical the neighborhood in particular and Hanoi in general.

To preserve the old quarter successfully, then the pattern of Ta Hien Street, Lan Ong, experts have concluded that the No.1 principle is to need to change old mind by new mind – focus on the economic, social benefits.

To implement this project, Hoan Kiem District collaborated with specialized units to survey, detailed plans for each house, every detail of structure and architecture to sample, color and quality of raw materials ... towards restoring the original elements.

The preservation of the Old Quarter was carried out carefully, with the convinced scientific which created agreement for not only professionals but also the project receive supports of the residents living in here.

After a long time the old quarter slow preservation projects, the revonation of Lang Ong and Ta Hien has been recognized as a bright spot in the architectural, cultural, historical heritage preservation process.

Find answers about stable financial resources to be able to do the preservation of the entire 36 old streets in the long-term, Ta Hien street pattern is a recommendation. After the renovate projects accomplish, commercial exploitation effects through business, tourist attraction of the streets has increased. Lan Ong Street is also expected to bring a positive impact.

It is known that the renovation project Ta Hien street costs 15 billion and Lan Ong street costs about 27 billion dongs

Souvenirs in the Hanoi Old Quarter

Apart from the cultural values - a long history, the old quarter is also where you can find souvenirs after your business or your traveling.

If you are concerned not know what to buy souvenirs after your trip in Hanoi, or give for friends as a gift, spend an afternoon wandering the old quarter, you will find the answer for yourself.

Hang Bac ( silver street): Jewellery/jewelry

With women, the sparkling jewels from shops on Hang Bac street makes visitors’ footsteps seem slow. This is one of characteristic old streets in Hanoi because the name street which is associated with the name of the product sold. The main items here are silver jewelry including rings, earrings, bangles, bracelets ...

Due to the concentration of jewelers from the famous villages such as Dinh Cong(Hanoi), Dong Xam (Thai Binh), Chau Khe (Hai Duong) ... so Hang Bac jewelries are be appreciated about shape and decoration. You can buy silver bracelets or bangles as a souvenir, but rest assured about the quality. If you’d like to engrave or polish the used jewelry, here is available.

Hang Duong: Salted dry fruit

Salted dry fruit consists of various kinds of fruit such as salted dry apricot or sugared dry carambola..

They are chosen as a souvenir after your Hanoi visit to tourists and the addressses where you only can find on Hang Duong streets in Hanoi.

Only hundred metres in length, but the two sides of the street, shops are close together displaying salted dry fruit. No need to taste, just see them through the glass bottles with the variety of colors. All make your mouth water

Luckily, you can taste all salted dry fruits before making up your mind. Apart from traditional stuffs such as salted dry peach, apricot, lemon, kumquat….you can find others like sugared dry sweet potato. Sellers are also friendly when you only need to buy a little to take away.

Dinh Liet, the scarf street for winter Hanoi

Dinh Liet Street having mere 200 metres in length is parallel with Hang Dao Street, is best known as the items are made from wool.

The scarf is an item can’t miss in Hanoi winter. Scarves beautify charming girls on the shoulder or scarves become the cloaks flowing long dress, they keep warm as well. To buy yourself a scarf, people often find on Dinh Liet Street where the street is well-known for items made from wool.

About styles, colors and decorations of scarves are extremely diverse. You can easily buy a scarf as a gift to give your mother or girlfriend. If neccessary, do not hesitate to ask a consultant. They also teach you how to tighten a simple scarf into different types.

A culture of ... "West Street" Ta Hien street

Ta Hien street is known as the first set foot in the majority of foreign tourists arriving in Hanoi and also the last point left foot before they leave Hanoi. So, Ta Hien is often called with the name "West street".

when most locals in Hanoi are settling into bed, At Ta Hien international corner is the time to begin a “festival” of foreign visitors. What is special? An answer is Local beer which is consider the cheapest beer in the world

Many tourists look forward to enjoying the city's famous Bia Hoi (local beer)

Drinking beer, hanging out with friends in the international corner (Ta Hien-Luong Ngoc Quyen) is the most greatest feeling when you visit Hanoi

Hanoi is beautiful because in the Old Quarter, everyone drinks “local beer’ and eats on the sidewalks on small plastic stools without tables and takes in the bustling Hanoi lifestyle surrounded by locals which make it a very special and unique experience. Its not fancy but its authentic.

In particular, tourists are fascinated by "local beer" (draught beer). They absolutely can comfortably gather here with friends until the morning, because of only 7000vnd/draught beer.

Lively street musicians and food vendors add to the ambiance, giving the experience a very local feel in what has come to be known as the “Backpacker Lane”.

James, Australian young man said that every night he came here to drink "cool beer" and saw Hanoi daily life at night.

Ta Hien Street is not different from the other old streets with the old houses or the winding old roads in the Old Quarter. But Ta Hien still have an unique thing is local beer. Local beer shops attracting friendly, sociable foreign tourists bring the new atmosphere here. The cordial handshakes, cheery laughter, cheers "no borders", small plastic stools without tables,… all create a culture in the "West street”

No build a business center in the old quarter of Hanoi

To reduce population pressure in the old quarter and protect the architecture of national heritage, Hanoi also bans building houses whose height is more than 3 storeys and the use of the land area of the displaced made public.

Hanoi People's Committee has issued regulations on the architectural management of Hanoi Old Quarter. Currently, this area has a population of 66,600 people with a target will decrease to 45,000 peopl until 2020.

The whole old quarter is divided into 2 areas, including protected areas, embellished level 1 is about 19 hectares, is limited by the Hang Chieu, Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, Hang Bac, Hang Mam, Tran Quang Khai Tran Nhat Duat and 14 other streets such as Hang Buom, Ngo Gach, Hang Muoi, Ma May ... In this area, architectulral works being wanted to renovate must be based on the original architectural style before 1954 or bearing typical architectural space of the old quarter.

Protected areas, embellished level 2 are 63 hectares in width including 66 streets. Most of streets in this area are encouraged to renovated and rehabilitate the old architecture. The city also requests the old houses to be painted traditional color or railings need to be wooden materials

In particular, in the area of the old quarter is banned building the large commercial center or residential buildings which cause increasing population or construction density putting pressure on transport infrastructure. Particularly Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Quang Khai are allowed to build commercial centers, hotels and restaurants.

For regulations on building density, Hanoi People's Committee requires organizations and individuals to build works in the Old Quarter, the maximum building density is 70%, the surface layer height City of 1-3 storeys in height equivalent of 6-12 metres.

Hanoi's Old Quarter: The 36 old Streets and guilds

When tourists visit Hanoi-the capital of Vietnam, they probably stay the centre of the city – the Old Quarter. Why? The Old Quarter is a symbol of Hanoi and represents the eternal soul of the city. In the Old Quarter, you can be known about for the history, the unique architecture along with valuable heritages. Now, Let’s discover the beauty of “the 36 old streets”

History

The Old Quarter, located near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hoan Kiem District, is Hanoi’s major commercial district

Its heart and soul is exposed in the ancient commercial streets which are named after their original businesses dating back about 1,000 years. Tourists can easily recognize speical called names for the Old streets originated from names of products made by skill artisans like cotton, jewellery, herbs, and silk..ect in the past. Let's find out the story dating back about 1000 years.

Skilled craftsmen migrated to the Quarter to live and work together in the same guilds, which were made specialized for artisans performing similar services. The new allocation of production and service helped to create a cooperative system for merchandise transportation to designated streets. Soon under French colony, the Old Quarter increasingly became a marketplace for trade between the local and businessmen from China, India and France.

Although the old section of Hanoi is often called the "36 Old Streets," there are more than 36 actual streets. Some researchers believe that the number 36 came from the 15th century and they believe 36 is the lucky number

Despite the damages that Vietnam War left in Hanoi, the Old Quarter still retained much of the original traits that interests tourists, especially those with architectural passion. Most of these houses in the Old Quarter still retain unique architecture, they are called "tube house"duo to its unique spatial organization
In the past, because of the dense population in a limited area, people needed to spend the front room for stores; the inside room is widened to its length in order to accommodate family members for living, dining.

The house is sometimes too narrow that only one person can pass by at a time. Standing close together, these tubular houses make up the ward along the soil streets; some streets were paved with stone or brick. Only until the later time, they were asphalted.

Walking

Visitors will certainly be eager to walk along the old streets to drop by souvenir and buy specialties. Here is an essential guide for tourists who would like to explore the Old Quarter, with some names of specialized streets: China bowls (Bat Su), roasted fish (Cha Ca), silver or jewelries (Hang Bac), women accessories (Cau Go), shoes and sandals (Hang Dau), silk (Hang Gai), mixed fruits (To Tich), combs (Hang Luoc), jars (Hang Chinh), tour services (Ma May), candies and dry apricot (Hang Duong), fried/roasted sour pork hash (Tam Thuong lane on Hang Bong Street), bamboo products (Hang Buom), etc.

In addition, visitors as well as city dwellers can go to the night market taking place along 4 walking old streets: Hang Dao - Hang Ngang - Hang Duong - Dong Xuan in the evening from Friday to Sunday with products on great sale.

And finally, tourists can stop at Hoan Kiem lake- a legend lake relating the war against Mongolia period and the King Le Thai To.

How to get here
And the Old Quarter is about 15 minutes from Hanoi Train Station. Most hotels are located in or near the Old Quarter so you can easily walk to these streets without much effort and about 30 minutes away from Noi Bai International Airport.

Luckily,This distance and duration has shortened because Hanoi has inaugurated a new bridge Nhat Tan – One of Hanoi’s key projects. This bridge helps shorten travelling time from the inner city to Noi Bai Airport to around 30 minutes.

Hanoi inaugurates the cultural exchange centre about the Old Quarter

On February 2, Hanoi People's Committee inaugurated the Hanoi Old Quarter cultural exchange centre at 50 Dao Duy Tu Street, Hoan Kiem district as a part of activities to celebrate the 85th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

The Hanoi Old Quarter cultural exchange centre was built to introduce the Old Quarter's history and heritage value where scientists, researchers, residents can meet together and traditional crafts are introduced to foreign tourists.

Covering an area of 458 square metres, the three-floor centre will be a venue for exhibitions, workshops, cultural and art activities. Visitors to the place will have an opportunity to know about the conservation of the Old Quarter’s tangible and intangible heritage.

The culture center is the result of the collaboration between the Hanoi government and France’s Toulouse City on the preservation of the Vietnamese capital’s Old Quarter.

The same day, a photo exhibition titled “Hanoi, then and now” opened with 60 photos featuring " Street named specific products", daily life from 1890 to 1940. heritages of the Hanoi Old Quarter
An exhibition on the history of the Old Quarter in Vietnamese, English and French is slated for early May.

The historian Duong Trung Quoc said: "The exhibition displays some photos of Hanoi Old Quarter in the past so that we have the opportunity to view the history of this land and remind young generation to know in the past live to be responsible for the present and the future. "