Shocked by Snake Stir Fry

I’m all about trying new things and experiencing the local culture however eating snake was something I’d never thought about before. During a homestay in Sapa my wonderful host prepared a banquet for dinner of amazing traditional Vietnamese food. It wasn’t until the snake stir fry that I hesitated. It is a very unique dish with a protein that western culture do not use. Being aware of Vietnamese custom, I served my self a small amount to ensure I could leave an empty plate as to not offend my host. Admittedly it was quite nice and the Vietnamese flavours broke through my hesitancy as I actually enjoyed the dish. And to top it off, why not a shot of snake blood vodka.

https://vietfuntravel.com/blog/top-weird-vietnamese-dishes.html

Different cultures often have their own food culture as they rely on the produce that can be sourced easily. Although Australia does have an abundance of snakes, the fact that my heritage is western it means that we don’t utilize it as a food source. It gave me an appreciation of the way the Vietnamese use their resources and don’t waste anything. The whole snake, including the heart, can be and is used. I know my first reaction was to refuse the dish however I know that this would be offensive, especially in Vietnam where they take great pride in their work.

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/yv4yzm/drinking-snake-blood-in-vietnam

I think it is important to embrace the culture of the country you are travelling to and if you are a bit scared about certain things it can help to do a bit of research on your destination before you arrive. By doing this you reduce the chances of culture shock and ensure that you travel respectfully. Furthermore, it is important to understand and practise the proper customs when travelling to different cultures.

Soulful Sapa

Photo by Ben Turnbull on Unsplash

Well it’s time to leave the big smoke behind and head inland to explore the natural beauty this country has to plate up. Sapa is a must see for any nature lover. Tucked away in the north-west corner of Vietnam is a bowl full of iconic rice paddy vistas and forest walks. The local population is occupied by five main ethnic groups that have lived off the land for years.

I found myself drawn to a small eatery in the main street of Cau May Street called Moment Romantic Restaurant. The traditional Vietnamese food was the best I’d had during my culinary journey. How had I not heard more about this food heaven? I was lucky enough to meet the owner and found that they did not have an online presence.

Photo retrieved from Tripadivsor

I thought it would be remiss of me not to offer my help and create a web page to help promote the restaurant. With my online skills and the owners culinary genius we could generate much more business for them. All it took was an hour of my time, and we had a webpage and social media plan in place.  

I feel that travel presents a unique opportunity to learn as well as teach different skills. People from all over the world have their own unique skills that if you just asked, they are often very accommodating to teach. It is also a great to be able to give back and engage with the local culture. Make your trip meaningful. 

War and Ice-Cream?

By Lars Curfs, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39738487

1955 saw Vietnam thrust into the spot light as the Resistance war against America began. From that day, the majority of Western culture has affixed Vietnam with a communist tag. This essence brings with it a distaste and fear as well as apprehension to travel there. What those who succumb to this stereotype miss out on is the diversity and culture that Vietnam truly has. However, there are too, those that do travel to Vietnam without the knowledge of its war torn past, ignorantly disrespectful to the troubled history. The Cu Chi Tunnels, just outside of Ho Chi Minh city, have become a tourist hotspot for those who want to shoot assault rifles and machine guns and take photos half sticking out of military tunnels. 

Photo by Sam Williams on Unsplash

Now I’m not saying that these tunnels aren’t worth visiting because they are a spectacular experience. However, it is appropriate to understand their purpose and context in history. Furthermore, although Vietnam is still currently a one-party communist state, it is one of the fastest-growing economies in South-East Asia and with that comes the infrastructure and support for tourists to travel the country safely and effectively. 

Significant, historical events like war and invasions are major influences on a countries culture. Vietnam's food culture has been greatly influenced by different conflicts with other cultures. The Resistance was against America saw Vietnam introduced to Ice Cream. The delicious treat has been adapted and modified in a unique Vietnamese way. Vietnamese coffee ice-cream is a must try. 

Retrieved from Vice

And so, the communist essence that shadows Vietnam does not accurately illustrate how Vietnam is open to new ideas and evolution.

Savour Saigon Street Art

Street Art in Vietnam is still getting to the main course and has only been around for just over a decade. The major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are the best places to explore to find the artwork and you can even jump on a Street Art Tour. Often seen as the greatest expression of art free from restriction, Street Art in Vietnam is actually heavily policed. Any direct attack of the government will be censored and the art work must be accepted by authorities if it is to remain.

https://culturexchange1.wordpress.com/2019/01/14/street-art-in-vietnam/

This artwork (right) is plated in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) and represents the iconic typical Vietnamese street vendor. It can be found along a street where inspiration for the piece is all you can eat with vendors lined up to capacity. It represents the profession that has existed in Vietnam for hundreds of years. For many vendors their bicycle is their livelihood and provides everything they need from transport to income. This artwork illustrates just how much can be done with a simple bicycle.

Photo by Jack Young on Unsplash

It depicts the reason lots of tourists visit Vietnam. These vendors provide some of the most famous Vietnamese food that is a level of authenticity that cannot be found anywhere else. Crunch into a Banh Mi made fresh from the back of a bicycle and you’ll understand what I mean. It provides a direct interaction with the whole process from sourcing the ingredients, preparation and cooking to serving all from one person, on one vehicle.

Mouthwatering Mekong Markets

The Mekong Delta is a noodle-like network of rivers that feeds through south Vietnam. It is an iconic water way that is home to more than half of Vietnam’s rice production and fisheries, earning it the quirky nickname of Vietnam's Rice Bowl. A natural supermarket, it provides locals with everything they need. This makes it symbolic and vital to Vietnam and its unique food culture. The floating markets that sprinkle the delta have existed for hundreds of years, however they are now becoming a novelty that attracts many tourists that visit Vietnam. There are numerous floating markets across the Mekong Delta, from small traditional markets that only locals use to large network markets that are capitalising on tourism.

Photo by Harvey Enrile on Unsplash

Cai Be Market is a three-hour bus ride ($9) from Ho Chi Minh city and unlike most floating markets that open and close early, this market stays open longer to accommodate tourists from the old capital city. It may not be the most authentic visit as this market panders to tourists, however it does make it easier to navigate and find a traditional meal. Pull up a plastic chair and dig into some bun ca (fish noodle soup). The fried fish noodle soup is a breakfast staple across Vietnam but is best enjoyed when near the sea.
The Mekong Delta is a symbol of Vietnam as it represents the life source of the country. It has always been an agricultural asset and now it creates an income source from tourism.