US magazine highlights Vietnam among world's top food destinations

In the article, travel journalist Stacey Leasca recounted an eight-day journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, describing it as one of her sweetest and most authentic travel experiences. From refined fine-dining restaurants to street food stalls, she shared that the trip offered a genuine taste of Vietnam through bowls of phở (Vietnamese noodle soup), bún (rice noodles), bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette), and charcoal-grilled dishes served at bustling roadside eateries, where diners sit on the country's iconic low plastic stools.

Leasca also praised innovative restaurants where chefs reimagined traditional ingredients into seasonal, regionally inspired dishes. Among the standout specialities she sampled were bánh cuốn cà cuống (steamed rice rolls with giant water bug essence), bún chả (grilled pork with rice noodles), and lobster with fermented rice.

Immersing herself in local life, the writer enjoyed a glass of Hanoi beer and egg coffee during a sudden rain shower before continuing her street food adventure with bánh xèo (crispy pancake) and a wide variety of colourful, flavourful dishes. She noted that the lively atmosphere around shared dining tables offered a vivid glimpse into everyday life in Vietnam.

Quoting Rob Rankin, general manager of tour operator A&K Vietnam, who helped curate the trip: “We’re not just choosing restaurants; we’re choosing storytellers,” Leasca wrote that every dish reflects Vietnam's nature, people, and traditions. She stressed that the combination of cuisine, culture, and hospitality is what makes the country such a compelling destination.

The Food & Wine feature also invited travellers to discover Vietnam as a country rich in cultural identity, where every dish carries its own story, creativity, and sense of place.

Besides Vietnam, the article recommended four other destinations for food lovers: South Africa, Greece, France, and Morocco.

Ho Chi Minh City named among Asia’s top three food destinations

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City has been listed among Asia’s top three food destinations in a recent article by Sophie Steiner, a food, travel and lifestyle photographer and writer, published in the US-based Business Insider.