Vietnam has a long-standing cultural and traditional cooking food and dishes. Each region has its own dishes, local specialties and outstanding food. The culinary interference has made the Vietnamese cuisine diverse. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the differences between 3 regions of Vietnamese’s cuisines. 

The North - idyllic flavour but frugal

As the land with the longest history in Vietnam, going through many feudal dynasties, referring to Northern cuisine, people often think of dishes with frugal and idyllic flavors such as: Pho Hanoi, Hanoi bun cha, bun thang, spring rolls, sausages,…

The well-known dishes in the north of Vietnam called Pho 

The characteristics of Northern cuisine are mild, a bit spicy, and colorful. Most people in the North of Vietnam do not like their foods too sweet or too fat. If it is salty, it will be really salty; if it is spicy, it will be really hot. The Northerners often make the dishes with casual ingredients like fish and pork. Some of the common dishes beside pho are vermicelli with shrimp paste and tofu, grilled fish.  In addition, the dipping sauce for example like fish sauce and the side dishes like pickle are also served to enhance the flavor of the meat and vegetables. 

Vermicelli with fried Tofu and Shrimp paste

This dish is considered the most controversial in the public opinion. Majority says that the odor of the shrimp paste is so stinky and it’s impossible to eat. While others say its flavour is so tempting for those who can eat. 

The Central – spicy, simple but delicate

The Central region is a land of sunshine and wind, not favored by nature, but the culinary culture of the Central region is very wonderful. The cuisine here is relatively sophisticated, focusing on the form, presentation to the name of the dish, for example Hue - which is considered the cradle of Central cuisine. The common point of Central dishes is the spicy and slightly salty taste compared to the North and the South. 

Besides the outstanding foods like Bun Bo Hue and Mi Quang, traditional dishes in Central Vietnam meals reflect the beautiful characteristics of hard-working people here. When it comes to flavor, people here tend to put spicy and salty ingredients in dishes to create an appealing look. 

Mi Quang - The exploration of flavour 

In general, spice is indispensable in everything, and those who are not used to eating spicy food can find it a little hard to taste. Because some of the provinces in Central Vietnam are located near the coastline it is clear that some of the popular dishes are made from a different kind of seafood like crab, shrimp, snails, and fish. These ingredients could be steamed or made into salads. Moreover, the shrimp paste, which enhances the taste of dishes, is really popular, especially in Hue.

The South - sweet taste with a variety of styles

Southern tastes are the sweetest of all 3 regions. As a whole, dishes are made of alots ingredients and people tend to prefer frying and cooking with sauce. There are many cuisines found here like sweet and sour pork ribs, claypot caramelized fish or pork and eggs, crab soup, and the sweet and sour fish soup . The Southerners also like to eat fish and shrimp caught in rivers.

The most favorite dish in the southern Vietnam in the lunar new year festival - Thit kho

Moreover, Southern Vietnam where deserts are more popular. One good example of this is the south’s sweet version of the savory snack “bánh tét”. This is made with banana, sweet red beans and sticky rice, all rolled into a cylinder. It is then boiled, cut up into chunks and served with a custard-like sauce and sesame seeds.

The sweet version of  “banh tet” in the southern Vietnam

Not as sophisticated as Cung Dinh cuisine, Southern cuisine is simple, rustic but extremely diverse. Southern dishes are influenced by Chinese, Thai often seasoned with sugar or with the sweetness of vegetables and fat due to the use of coconut water. Just simple and idyllic ingredients can create a unique style for the dishes of this land. Spring rolls, vermicelli, Nam Vang noodle soup, little cake, beef cake, banana tea, etc. are the most famous dishes in Southern cuisine.

In conclusion, different regions have different characteristics. The dishes too, you would expect to eat salty foods in the North, spicier foods in the Central and sweeter ones in the South.

Tags: Vietnamese culture, Vietnamese cuisines, travel Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnamese food, Vietnamese traditional food, Vietnamese specialities, Vietnamese dishes, Vietnamese flavour.