That is the content of an article in Australia's leading newspaper news.com.au by journalist Troy Nakervis about his journey to explore Vietnam with the title: Forget Bali and Thailand, come here.
Generous lunch
The smell of lemongrass and mint surprised me as I entered the small kitchen of a family in Central Vietnam and my taste buds immediately told me that I was about to enjoy a delicious meal.
A pot of pumpkin soup simmers slowly on the stove; to my left, a middle-aged woman deftly rolls rice paper into spring rolls.
Countless plates of vegetables, diced meats and fresh herbs in Ms. Dang Thi Hao's kitchen give diners a sense of generosity and thoughtfulness when preparing this meal.
Ms. Hao's great-grandfather was a royal chef and now I'm about to taste the very recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Ms. Hao's kitchen is clean and neat.
Historical significance permeates everything throughout Vietnam and especially in the city of Hue, where I am waiting for lunch in a destination special because of its position as the capital of the country's past.
Formerly the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue was considered the cultural, political and religious center of Vietnam from the early 1800s until the end of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1945.
The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and if you take a few days to explore, you’ll find the Perfume River running through the city dotted with tombs and pagodas, all of which have been there for centuries.
Locals believe that the landscape of the Ngu Binh mountain range, also known as the "Royal Screen", and the nearby Imperial Citadel, resemble the shape of a dragon.
This storytelling is present everywhere in Vietnam, and it is this blend of history, mythology and cuisine that makes me really love Hue in particular and Vietnam in general.
Admittedly, while Thailand or Bali are more popular with Australian tourists, Vietnam is racing ahead in its own way with its unique culture, flavours and history. Hue is one such destination.
This city has qualities that other places don't have, such as being quiet, not as bustling as Ho Chi Minh City and worth a stop, especially if you are visiting nearby Da Nang or Hoi An.
The author explores the Imperial City
This was my first time in Vietnam and I chose to explore the country through Intrepid's program, which cost $1,950 AUD for 10 days, including most meals and accommodation.
The itinerary gave me a great snapshot of Vietnam, starting in the capital Hanoi, weaving through Hoi An (home to the famous silk tailors), the Mekong Delta and ending in Ho Chi Minh City. This is Intrepid’s best-selling tour out of Australia at the moment.
But the most memorable was the journey to Hue on an overnight train from Hanoi. On the train, we chose to stay in a room for 6 people, with the ticket price around 500,000 VND/person. The journey lasts about 14 hours, and after a while on the train, you will get used to the swaying and grinding of the carriages on the tracks. When you leave Hanoi, there are some pretty impressive landscapes on both sides of the road to admire.
Most of us only got a few hours of sleep, but when Duy, our tour guide, asked if we would like to experience a home-cooked local meal, everyone unanimously said "yes" to recharge our batteries.
Compared to other cuisines, especially those of Europe and America, Vietnamese food is fresher and lighter, focusing more on flavor.
Our party started with a series of appetizers: traditional Vietnamese pumpkin soup, jackfruit salad with fresh lime juice and chili, and homemade spring rolls.
Next up was the delicious braised pork and tofu in a clay pot. The meat almost melted in your mouth and you could taste the fresh ginger and garlic.
Next up is minced pork with tomatoes, garnished with green onions and coriander, which Duy explains is a staple on the dining table in Vietnamese homes.
Sweet and sour soup is also delicious, a variation of the traditional sour soup that often includes seafood, pineapple and bean sprouts, finished with fresh fruit for dessert.
It was scorching outside and I couldn't resist a cold beer. To make a proper toast, Duy taught us the Vietnamese phrase "Mot hai ba, do", which basically means "one, two, three, congratulations", with the all-important clink of glasses to end a rather grand meal.
Thai Hoa Palace seen from back to front, facing the Flag Tower
Want to go back
After lunch, we explored Thien Mu Pagoda, a 21-meter-high octagonal structure overlooking the Perfume River.
Like Bali and Thailand, getting around by scooter is one of the best ways to see Vietnam, and this is how we spent our second day in Hue. Renting one will cost around 150,000 VND; just make sure you have full travel insurance.
We headed straight to the Imperial City, which has magnificent fortresses and palaces… Exploring this place was fascinating and worth half a day, plus going early in the morning meant less crowds and a break from the heat.
Our next stop was the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. The mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area with its lavish gardens and works of art, designed by the king himself before his death.
The day ended with another delicious meal, this time in Hue’s Phu Hoi nightlife district. Here we ate at Golden Rice restaurant, where I spent around 250,000 VND on a delicious duck pancake, chicken noodle soup for main course and a couple of beers to tide me over for the night.
In Hue’s Western Quarter, filled with bars and restaurants, the streets come alive after sunset with neon lights and a bustling crowd of tourists. To me, it’s a less overwhelming version of similar districts in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.
Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River
Overall, Vietnam felt like a great adventure, and I can't wait to go back to explore more.
Fortunately, flying to Vietnam is about to get a whole lot easier, thanks to the country’s major budget airline, Vietjet. From December, Vietjet will also operate daily return flights from Melbourne and Sydney, while Brisbane will offer three return flights a week. That’s sure to bring more Australian tourists to this fascinating country.
(According to Thanh Nien, August 6, 2023)
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