{"id":1407,"date":"2017-10-17T07:11:08","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T07:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/family-world-travel.com\/english\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2019-01-20T07:31:02","modified_gmt":"2019-01-20T07:31:02","slug":"vietnam-vacation-with-kids-recomended-route-for-food-loving-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/family-world-travel.com\/english\/vietnam-vacation-with-kids-recomended-route-for-food-loving-families\/","title":{"rendered":"vietnam vacation with kids- recomended route for food-loving families"},"content":{"rendered":"

Families planning a month-long trip to Vietnam should prepare themselves for the foodie adventure of a lifetime. Food is central to every aspect of life in Vietnam, and the scent and sizzle of delicious dishes being prepared provides the sensory backdrop to travels around this wonderfully colorful country.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s good news for foodie families with an eye on the budget, too – unless you\u2019re absolutely intent on splashing some serious cash, there\u2019s absolutely no need to blow the travel fund on eating out in Vietnam. With a handful of notable exceptions, family feasting in Vietnam is more about sampling delicious street food than formal dining at fancy restaurants, so there\u2019s plenty of opportunity to give various foods a try without the risk of making an expensive mistake if the kids decide it\u2019s not for them. Expect to pay the equivalent of a couple of dollars or less for a plateful of food.<\/span><\/p>\n

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? Vietnamese Fish Sauce<\/b><\/p>\n

The kids may balk at the fishy flavors, but most grown up visitors find themselves developing an addiction to N\u01b0\u1edbc Ch\u1ea5m, the salty fish sauce that is used as a dip for all manner of street snacks, lending the simplest of foods a rich umami flavor. The sauce is made with a number of different fish or even crab, but the \u2018real deal\u2019 is made with fermented anchovies, aged for several months in a barrel before the pungent liquor is extracted and mixed with garlic, vinegar, sugar and sometimes chilli, to create a sauce that is a vital component of Vietnamese dining. <\/b><\/p>\n

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Vietnamese food tends to be less fiery than other Southeast Asian cuisines, so there should be plenty for kids to get their teeth into – although those who like it hot can easily add a kick to their food thanks to the peppery sauces that accompany many dishes.<\/p>\n

Kids with a taste for culinary adventure can even try chowing down on crickets and other beasties, while even those who are more timid in their tastes should be tempted by the bright and beautiful fruits, many of which are unheard of outside the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are many regional variations to Vietnamese cuisine, so there\u2019s little chance of getting bored on your month-long foodie trip. Pack those loose-fitting clothes, leave plenty of room in your suitcase for gourmet goodies to take home, and get ready for eating experiences that will reappear in your foodie dreams forever. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Route<\/b><\/h3>\n

Visitors to Vietnam can follow a north-south route, or vice-versa. We\u2019ve set out the north-south version here, flying into Hanoi rather than Saigon, but the same itinerary can be followed in reverse. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hanoi <\/b><\/h4>\n

Although it\u2019s often considered a less sophisticated city than southern foodie haven Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam\u2019s capital is bursting with delicious dishes, many of which are prepared and served by the roadside. The city is also famous for its coffee, and your caffeine-fueled adventures in Hanoi should center largely around the beautiful Old Quarter, where characterful cafes abound.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s enough to keep you occupied in the city for at least four days and nights, so allow plenty of time in your schedule to discover the best of the eating and drinking scene. Be sure to check out <\/span>Nam Dong market,<\/b> which is notable for its <\/span>che <\/span><\/i>(sweet soups), which might be made with grapefruit and coconut milk, or chestnut, coconut and jackfruit served direct from the green coconut shell. Expect to pay the equivalent of around $1-2 dollars<\/strong> for a soup at the market. <\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside the famous <\/span>pho, <\/span><\/i>the noodle-and-meat soup that is eaten with gusto at breakfast, Hanoi\u2019s options include easy eats such as deep fried spring rolls, which can be dipped in spicy or fishy sauce if so desired. Even better news for kids<\/span> – the legacy of French occupation has led to some enticing pastry shops – look out for spiced apple tarts and g<\/span>ato chu\u1ed1i (banana cake) served at famed cafes such as <\/span>Cafe Loc Tai.<\/b><\/p>\n

where to stay in Hanoi- family friendly accomodation<\/a><\/p>\n

Ha Long Bay<\/b><\/h4>\n

Families in Vietnam should plan to take a couple of days\u2019 trip to Ha Long Bay (cruises run from Hanoi, be sure to research the best options rather than booking on a whim), where the foodie adventures are all about supremely fresh fish and seafood, some of the best of which is served in kid-pleasing floating restaurants. The island-dotted bay offers plenty of scope for beach-hopping and cave-exploring, and most restaurants on ship and on shore will happily cook up chicken for those who don\u2019t like fish. <\/span><\/p>\n

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? Ninh Binh Mountain Snails<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in Ninh Binh during the August-May \u2018snail season\u2019, be sure to try the famous mountain snails. These hard-to-find critters live in limestone caves and grottoes, but will typically venture out in search of leaves during the rainy season. Considered a delicacy, the snails are cooked in a variety of ways – steamed with ginger and pungent lemongrass, or grilled with tamarind and\/or garlic. The snails can be found at restaurants and street stalls during the rainy season. Check out the markets in Tam Diep the day after a heavy downfall, and you can chow down on snails for a dollar or less.<\/b><\/p>\n

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After a couple of overnight stopovers in Haiphong<\/b> and <\/span>\u00a0Ninh Binh<\/b> (try the delicious<\/span> charred rice<\/b> here).<\/span><\/p>\n

Hue,<\/strong>\u00a0which you can either fly to<\/a> or take an overnight train<\/a>– both from Hanoi- is one of Vietnam\u2019s foodie hotspots and one that merits a few nights\u2019 stay. This handsome city, formerly the royal capital, \u00a0is known for a culinary scene that is fancier than elsewhere in Vietnam, with elaborate sweet confections, and dainty rice cakes such as <\/span>banh beo. <\/span><\/i>Heartier dishes include \u00a0<\/span>bun bo Hue, <\/span><\/i>a spicy, meaty broth that can be enjoyed at hole-in-the wall <\/span>quan <\/span><\/i>restaurants as well as more upscale spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

from Hue you can take a direct bus or a train<\/a> to Da Nang and then a bus\/taxi to:<\/p>\n

Hoi An<\/b><\/h4>\n

If you eat just one thing in Hoi An, make it <\/span>banh mi. <\/i><\/strong>This famous Vietnamese sandwich is Hoi An\u2019s best-known dish, and it\u2019s a favorite with kids and adult alike. Sold at bakeries and on the street, it\u2019s a baguette (that French influence again) typically filled with creamy pates, bbq pork and cold cuts as well as fresh, crisp vegetables. Just point at the ingredients you do and don\u2019t want on your sandwich. For the best in town, locals will point you to the Phuong Banh Mi<\/strong> stand, on Hoang Dieu Street<\/span><\/p>\n