'Banh xeo’ (savoury filled pancakes) is a popular dish in the south and centre of Vietnam. (Photo: VNS)Hanoi (VNA) – Food tour has been named thetop experience in Vietnam for the first time by renowned travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet describesVietnamese food as balanced between sour and sweet flavours, crunchy and silkytextures, fried and steamed dishes, soups and salads.
“Essentially it’s all about the freshness of theingredients – chefs shop twice daily to collect just-picked herbs from themarket,” it says. “Wherever you are, you’ll find exquisitelocal specialties – the ‘white rose’ of Hoi An, ‘banh xeo’ (savoury filledpancakes) of the south and centre, of the good ol’ ‘pho’ of the north.”
It says eating out in Vietnam is just afeast for the eyes and treat for palate.
In the Vietnam’s top 20 experience list,food tour is followed by Hoi An Ancient Town in the second place and PhongNha-Ke Bang national park in third.
Hoi An is dubbed as Vietnam’s mostcosmopolitan and civilised town and a beautiful ancient port where visitors canimmerse themselves in history in the warren-like lanes of the Old Town, tourthe temples and pagodas and dine like an emperor on a peasant’s budget.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is referred as one of Vietnam’s most spectacular nationalpark with “jagged hills shrouded in verdant rain forest and mountain rivercoursing through impressive ravines” above ground and underground, the“cathedral-like chambers” of Son Dong, the world’s largest cave.
The list also includes Ha Long Bay, Hue,Ho Chi Minh City, Beer, Extreme North, Cat Tien National Park, Markets, PhuQuoc Island, Hanoi, Con Dao Island, Ba Be National Park, Coffee Time, SapaTrekking, Dalat, Battle Sites, and Mui Ne./.
VNA
