Popular Breakfast Treats

Popular Breakfast Treats

Like everyone, most of us would love to take something early in the morning to start us off. Visitors to Vietnam are likely to be spoilt for choice regarding ideas for breakfast. However, those who want to have an authentic taste of a local Vietnamese breakfast treat must be liberal and ready to adjust to new elements. Indeed, you need to have a sense of adventure to enjoy the best meal in town. Think about the following exquisite Vietnamese dishes:

Xoi – Sticky Rice: This is a trendy dish in many Asian countries; Vietnam is no exception. Xoi is usually prepared with sticky rice; you have to steam the rice until it's well cooked. Due to Vietnam's agricultural culture, Xoi is generally considered one of the favorite Vietnamese breakfast meals.No doubt, anyone who takes a small amount of sticky rice will- likely- have a good reserve of energy to take him through until the lunchtime. And so comes in different types, including xoi ga( sticky rice mixed with fried chicken), xoi xeo( mixed with fried onion, beans and oil), xoi gac ( rice with gac fruit), and xoi dau xanh( rice with beans). Anyone visiting Vietnam will find that xoi breakfast is a must-try.

Banh Cuon – (Steamed Rice Pancake): And there's another must-try breakfast candidate here- the Banh Cuon. Banh Cuon is-essentially- steamed rolled rice pancake. The meal is made using steamed, curled rice flour with meat and vegetable pad. The various regions in Vietnam have their own unique ways of preparing this meal. And this can differ, ranging from the ingredients used to the dipping sauces. It's also an excellent suggestion to try Banh Cuon with tasty grilled chopped meat and spring roll; find out if this is on the menu; you might enjoy a much richer taste.

You can enjoy these exciting breakfast treats in various places including Hai Duong, Kenh village, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Lang Son, and Phy Ly. All these are locations where you could have some taste of the super yummy; you could also enjoy some special Vietnamese flavours characterized by steamed rolled rice pancakes. You are advised to try this food when it's warmed or cooled- this is how you'll discover your preference; yes, Banh Cuon is one unique Vietnamese traditional dish that no one should miss to try whenever they're in town.

Banh Bao – Vietnamese Dumplings: Interestingly, Banh Bao actually originates from China. Those who did a great job to try importing this food into Vietnam made a special effort to make this a satisfying Vietnamese treat. Generally, you'll discover soon enough- that Vietnamese dumplings are much smaller than the Chinese variety. Based on available ingredients, the stuffing is also significantly different. Some of these ingredients are quail eggs, mushrooms, sausage, cat's ear, vermicelli, chicken eggs, and minced pork.

Most Vietnamese find that Banh Bao is a convenient breakfast treat, primarily because they can easily buy this foodstuff from different vendors who hawk the stuff along the pavements. And the food comes at an affordable price; before you know it, you'll have the food- readily prepared- and your breakfast meal is assured. This is another must-try dish for visitors to Vietnam.

Bun Bo Hue – Spicy Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup: This is another popular Vietnamese breakfast meal. The locals prefer to call it "Bun bo Hue- evidently, this is the only way to indicate where it comes from, its origin. How is Bun Bo Hue prepared? The common ingredients used include broth, beef, noodles, pork pies, and other elements. The elements may include crab pies which are added depending on the customers' demands and the cook's preferences. Others are spicy flavour and chili powder that makes the broth turn red. This may be taken with raw vegetables, lettuce, banana flowers, coriander, and cucumbers.

The Vietnamese Boiled Corn"Fast Food": One might ask: Did you have enough time to eat your bowl of Bun Bo Hue or Pho? If you're a visitor, you most likely didn't. But don't worry- you have a perfect substitute ready in boiled corn- this is a truly unique Vietnamese breakfast diet. And it comes in two major types- sweet corns and glutinous corns- both are ideal for a sumptuous breakfast.

The Vietnamese generally prefer purchasing raw corn and boiling it; this ensures general food hygiene. You also get them at a relatively affordable price. Boiled corns can perform miracles in the users' body and improve public health- it remarkably strengthens the digestive system, prevents the risk of getting cancer, and reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular issues. It's also great for your skin and eyes. This is one excellent traditional fast food breakfast that visitors should always try.

Vietnam is Back - Fully Reopened Borders

Vietnam is Back - Fully Reopened Borders

Vietnam is back! Effective 15 March 2022, this exquisite Southeast Asian nation has fully reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers from all around the world. To celebrate this important milestone, Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International's extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning travel program, and endless experiences is inviting its cherished guests to rediscover the beauty of Vietnam. With a choice of desirable destinations all across the country, from stylish cities to chic beach resorts, visitors can start planning their dream vacation.

Hanoi: Vietnam's capital promises a wealth of wonders for international visitors. Take a stroll through the Old Quarter and experience the serenity of Hoan Kiem Lake, then soak up Hanoi's rich historical and cultural heritage at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Perfume Pagoda or Water Puppet Theatre.

Ho Chi Minh City: The country's largest city is a vibrant metropolis with activities for all ages. The iconic Reunification Palace and poignant War Remnants Museum are unmissable attractions, while the bustling markets and soaring skyscrapers show the contrasting faces of this ever-changing city.

Danang: Central Vietnam's largest city is great for guests who want to combine a beach break with an urban escape. Chill out on the long sandy shore, shop in the upmarket malls, marvel at the Dragon Bridge, or head out into the lush countryside where many wonders await amid forests and mountains.

Phu Quoc: The pristine "Pearl Island" is a haven of tropical adventure. Nestled just off the country's south coast, this dreamy destination promises the perfect combination of sun, sea, sand and stunning scenery. Take the breath-taking Hon Thom Cable Bar, which stretches almost 8km over the ocean.

Nha Trang: This popular seaside town on Vietnam's southeast coast is a paradise for couples and families alike. Kids will be thrilled by the local theme parks and beautiful beaches, while all ages will be captivated by the cultural attractions, including ancient temples from the Cham civilization.

To celebrate the reopening of Vietnam, Marriott Bonvoy has unveiled "Earn, Eat, Enjoy", a rewarding promotion that promises daily breakfast for two people and up to VND 1.1 million (USD 48) of hotel credit all across the country. Marriott Bonvoy members will also be treated to complimentary Wi-Fi and bonus points on every stay.

"Earn, Eat, Enjoy" is valid for bookings made from now until 30 June2022, for stays taken until 30 September 2022.

Marriott Bonvoy encompasses Marriott International's extraordinary portfolio of brands – including the largest collection of luxury properties, award-winning loyalty program, Homes & Villas by Marriott International, online retail shop with 13 branded boutiques, and access to endless experiences – all available through the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app. Members can earn and redeem points for stays and accelerate the points they earn with co-branded credit cards from JP Morgan Chase and American Express, among others.

Intriguing Towns and Cities

Intriguing Towns and Cities

Vietnam intrigues many visitors year after year. The country has plenty of heritage, rich culture, and natural beauty. Vietnam is basically bordered by mountain ranges to the east; to the west, there's the South China Sea. At the north and south ends are the Red River and Mekong deltas. Vietnam's diverse landscape ropes in rich paddies, white sand beaches, and lush jungles. You are free to visit Vietnam's beautiful towns, easily bookable through a cultural trip.

Hội An: Hội An is a select Unesco World Heritage Site. Undoubtedly, Hoi An is one of Vietnam's most important tourist destinations. The city has terrific cuisine, irresistible charm, and intriguing history. If you want to get an accurate idea about what Vietnam is, make a visit to Hoi An. Between the 16th and 18th centuries Hoi An served as a major port. The city owes its splendid beauty to several factors, including a mix of Asian and European influences. The town is actually small enough for a visitor to explore on foot. The town's streets are generally dotted with various Chinese temples, wooden-fronted shop houses, and lively food markets.

You'll find many galleries selling native artwork and laid-back, open air coffee shops. All these add a charming bohemian element to Hoi An. And if you arrive there at the right time, you can enjoy the annual lantern festival; it's usually held along the Hoai River. When visiting the city on a culture trip you can have a guided walking tour on a 12-day, specially curated Vietnam adventure.

Mũi Né : Mui Ne is another one of Vietnam's architectural landmarks and natural features. Visiting Mui Ne you're likely to catch a silhouette of several women carrying small baskets and trudging along the sand dunes at sunset hours. Mui Ne was once known as a sleepy fishing village. Today it's a favorite getaway destination for many immigrants who want to taste Vietnam's urban life. You'll find most of them occupying the nearby Ho Chi Minh city; the latter was previously known as Saigon. Although the city is increasingly popular with tourists, Ho Chi Minh still retains an attractive low-key atmosphere. The city's 9-mie beach is beautifully lined with several low-rise resorts, shops, and restaurants. The town bay is a fairly well-known hotspot for various kinds of wind and kite surfing. Happily, the wind levels are generally consistent throughout the year. Do you need a small break around the beach? Just take a short tour of the surrounding sand dunes. These actually contribute to the town's pleasant microclimate. As a result, the rainfall is relatively minimal even during the wet season.

Thoai Pham: Thoai Pham is located at an altitude of about one mile ( 1.5 km) above the seal level. It has a beautiful, serene mountain scenery and enjoys a year-round cool weather. The quaint town once served as a favorite retreat for hordes of Vietnamese emperors and French colonialists eager to get away from the country's summer heat. You can still notice much European influence especially depicted by French colonial architecture usually found in the central area of the city. Here, the streets are ever lined up with red-roofed stone buildings. The city has lovely markets, churches, colourful gardens, and winding streets. This is one place that's always delightful to stroll across. The town's surrounding area is dotted with beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Yes, this is the perfect place for various fan activities, including biking, trekking and rock climbing.

Nha Trang, Vietnam Nha Trang is a well-known Vietnamese city that's also home to several of the country's top beaches and dive sites. The city's crescent-shaped beach that covers some 6km is set against a beautiful, picturesque mountain drop. Apart from the gorgeous scenery, Nha Tang features many beautiful shorelines with soft sands. Here you will get a pleasant promenade, scenic parks, sculpture centres, and beautiful gardens. Several companies are available to take visitors around delightful day trips traversing the city's 20 islands. The islands are located just a short distance from the coast. While visiting you can enjoy various snorkeling and hiking experiences. Visiting the city centre, you can grace some fantastic restaurants and later visit the Po Nagar Cham Temple; the temple dates back to the 8th century.

So, visit Vietnam to enjoy all kinds of pleasant and glamorous things that a tourist would have. No doubt, Vietnam's cities and towns will never disappoint.

Historic Wall That Heals Monument

Historic Wall That Heals Monument

In 1996 during the Veterans Day, the VVMF (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) went ahead to inaugurate a replica of the veterans memorial in Washington DC. The monument was specially designed to be a mobile facility that would be carried and displayed to communities all over the US. The monument was named the Wall that Heals.

Ever since the inauguration ceremony, the Wall that Heals has already been displayed at almost 700 US communities. The mission is to spread the memorial's healing legacy to as many people as possible. There's little doubt that the gallant efforts to bring the wall home to various communities throughout the country are a beneficial venture. As a promoter said, who knows? The noble activity might even allow the souls that are enshrined on the memorial to continue existing among friends and family in comfort and peace. And they can do this in familiar surroundings.

Certainly, the traveling exhibit gives a chance to thousands of veterans who could not previously face the Wall to take up courage and strength and do so in a controlled setting. In this way, the healing process can actually begin. The Wall that Heals' main components are the mobile Education Center and the Wall replica.

The Wall features a ¾ scale replica of the actual Vietnam Veterans Memorial that's kept in Washington DC. The monument stands 7.5 feet high at the tallest point. It measures 375 feet in length. While visiting, tourists can actively feel the great Wall rising high above them. They can experience as they walk towards the monument's apex. This is one of the most important features of the Washington DC war monument. The Wall That Heals is basically designed and erected in a chevron-like shape. This is a key resemblance to the original memorial. Here, visitors can perform name rubbings of the individual service members' names right there on The Wall. The replica itself is made of Avonite; this is basically a synthetic granite- its 140 numbered panels are all supported by aluminum frames. There's a machine engraving of over 58,000 names. Also, modern LED lighting provides readability of The Wall at all times.

The names engraved on The Wall That Heals are inscribed by the day of casualty. Starting at the apex/centre the names start from the East Wall on the right hand side and work their way out, reaching the end of the wing. They pick up, once more, at the West Wall's far end (on the left hand side) before working their way back to the apex/ centre. Ultimately, the inscriptions join the beginning at the centre (at the end of the conflict). The trailer carrying the Wall That Heals- a 53-foot behemoth- slowly transforms into a beautiful mobile education center. The trailer's exterior also features "The War and the Wall" timeline. The timeline offers extra information regarding the Washington DC Veterans Memorial. Other exhibits provide visitors with a better understanding of the veteran's memorial's legacy. They also give more information on the various collection of items that remain the DC Wall.

Some of the Wall's displays include: Photos of several service members on the Wall (it's known as the Hometown Heroes). From the local area, the members list their home of record. These photos constitute a part of the famous Wall of Faces. This is –essentially- a special effort to assign a face to each name inscribed on the Washington DC Wall. Another feature is known as the In-Memory Honor Roll. These are actual photographs of the local Vietnam war veterans. The veterans are honoured through the VVMF In Memory Program. The program honours veterans who managed to return home and died later. There are several digital photos of the In Memory honourees-originating from the actual states where the exhibits are displayed. There's also a replica or copy of the In Memory plaque kept on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. It generally reads: "This is in special memory of all the men and women who bravely served in the Vietnam War and died later as a result of their gallant service. We highly honour and remember their valiant sacrifice."

Finally, there is the Items Left Behind. This is a display of the items that represent what is kept in the Washington DC Memorial. It's a special remembrance of the heroes inscribed on The Wall.