november 2011

In Vietnam, we traveled to Hanoi and Saigon, two cities as different as the political parties that once ruled them. Not only is the food distinct (and equally delicious), but also the look and feel of the streets and the people. Hanoi, in some parts, felt like the old french colonial district it once was, with weeping willows lining the street and quaint coffee cafes everywhere. Where Hanoi had a gentle purr, Saigon let out a roar that reverberated throughout the motorbike- crowded streets. The financial capital of the country, Saigon was a city in constant motion set against skyscrapers. Still, I enjoyed my time in both cities, and the food was phenomenal. In New York, where most international cuisines are pretty well represented, it's hard to get really good authentic Vietnamese food. I still dream of that road-side Bun Cha noodle and Banh Xeo crepe.