Delicious vegan soup at a local vegetarian spot in Can Tho, Vietnam.
I learned how to say I am a vegetarian in Vietnamese (An chai) and because of that one simple phrase I’ve tasted foods I may never have noticed or discovered. I’m not a strict vegetarian, but since finding some of these amazing vegan and vegetarian places I think I could easily go without any meat for the duration of my time in this country and never be hungry. The other great thing about vegetarian options here is the abundance of unusual plants, roots and flowers used in the cooking which are often not available in other countries.
Avocado smoothie, Sinh to Bo, is one item you must try in Vietnam.
Delicious tofu and meatless substitutes that often were so well seasoned that I could swear they were meat floated in a steaming hot bowl of vegetarian Pho. A heaping plate of greenS, all still on their stems, basil, peppers, bean sprouts and something that looked like thin pieces of lemongrass or bamboo are added to the soup along with other condiments on the table, but the broth alone was perfect and needed little else for flavor. The way I’d describe the dish was fresh and delicate. Everything tasted healthy and packed with vitamins. Even the music playing in the crowded restaurant seemed to aid and sooth digestion.
Simple dish of rice with various vegetarian items and a delicious herbal soup all for under U.S. $1.
Some other people were eating hotpot which also consisted of just vegetables, plants, and even some flower petals that are added to the hot water and then eaten over rice or noodles.
We were also given a plate of tiny bananas by our waitress, a young girl in her teens who said her auntie invited us to eat them as she pointed to a woman standing in her shop across the street and waving at us. I’ve never felt as welcome as I do in this town. People smile and say hello as we pass, stop to ask us questions and always want to help. This town does not exist because of a tourist industry, it has its own industry and energy and we were finding out that our decision to explore the Mekong was the right one. Both the food and the people have proven to be exceptional examples of the beauty and authenticity of this part of the country.
Sip the free and delicious ice tea served at most Vietnamese cafes while you wait for the strong coffee to drip.
There wasn’t a lot to do in the town itself, and after wandering all over the city by foot we would seek out local coffee shops and join the other Vietnamese in the coffee drinking tradition. All of the cafes we went to had the very typical small chairs and tables which all face out to the street so you can watch the action outside. We were often greeted by a waitress giggling at the fact that she was going to serve some foreigners, but also eager to practice English. Besides the delicious and strong flavor of the coffee, another great thing about Vietnamese coffee culture, is that whenever you go to a cafe or restaurant and order a drink, you are also served a cold glass of tea. It’s a weak jasmine tea and is served like ice water is served in the US. People will spend hours at a cafe with just one coffee or fruit juice but the iced tea is refilled as often as you like.
Three great things to discover in Vietnam: vegetarian options, avocado smoothies and the coffee culture. If you can learn to say just a few things in the language it makes the visit even sweeter and you will find people are as curious about your culture as we are about theirs. So grab a tiny wood stool, order an iced coffee with milk and enjoy soaking up the local culture.
