The Chinese have been celebrating fruitful harvest during autumn since the Shang Dynasty or 1600-1046 BCE; the moon symbolized rejuvenation and was an object of worship in ancient history. In the modern days, the Mid-Autumn Festival offers a warm occasion for family members to reunite, enjoy the beautiful full moon together and eat Mooncakes as a festival tradition.

Many people across Asia grew up celebrating the Moon Festival; it has become a part of their childhoods and memories due to the fun activities that took place as part of the celebration. Besides from having traditional moon cakes, children and adults often played fun festival themed games to celebrate. These are the most common and most exciting games you need to try this year for the most memorable Moon Festival with your loved ones.

PUA TIONG CHIU (DICE GAME)

Pua Tiong Chiu, or Bo Bing, is a traditional Chinese dice game that is often played as part of the celebration of the Mid-autumn Festival. The name has a literal meaning of ‘gambling the mid-autumn’ and is relatively simple to set up and fun at the same time. You will only need six similar dice, a medium-sized porcelain bowl, and a range of prizes for the winners. This game very ideal, as there is an unlimited number of players and anyone can join in the fun. Traditionally, 63 mooncakes with variations in size are prepared as prizes for winning players, however, in the modern-day, the prizes can be anything, from daily necessities to simply cash.

In a group of players, each person has one chance every round to throw the six dice into the bowl, and prizes are determined depending on the dice combination they have got. After the first player has rolled, the dice are passed onto the second player and the process is repeated until there are no prizes remaining. If one or more die, unfortunately, lands outside of the bowl, the player’s results will not be counted. Traditionally, for good luck, a player can throw the dice with one or two hands and shout “Chiong Wan!”.

There is a hierarchy of prizes in the game, starting with the minimum combination which is a six diced combination with only one four facing up. The next highest result is two 4-faces 4. On the next level is a combination of three 4-faced dice. To gain a third place, you need to throw a combination of four of the same number except 4, and for second place a combination of all numbers (from 1 to 6) or three of a number and three of another number.

The 1st place is called ‘Zhuang Yuan’ and can be achieved by a combination of four 4-face or five of any other number. The ultimate throw can beat this and can be achieved from a combination of six 1-face or six 4-face. When a player manages an ultimate throw, he or she will get a special prize which could be better than all of the other prices from 6th to 1st place.  

LANTERN PARADES

Lanterns would be the first thing that comes up to mind when one is speaking of the Mid-autumn Festival; they are a crucial part of the celebration and have grown symbolic of the festival itself over time. In Vietnam, lanterns are very important to the festival- many children would carry brightly lit lanterns and parade under the full moon at night. The lanterns come in all forms; there are lion lanterns, star lanterns, cat lanterns, etc.

Making your own moon festival lanterns is a must, they can come in any shape, colour and form and lantern making is a fun bonding activity with your family and friends. More traditional lanterns are hand-made from the images of important historical figures in Vietnamese history or natural landscapes, while modern lanterns could be crafted into any character desired. Famous examples that are seen every year are Disney characters, Pokémon and Hello Kitty.

Lanterns are symbolic of the wish for sunlight to return after the cold winter and could be made from the simplest of materials such as paper to colourful fabrics. They are traditionally lit with warm candlelight; however, you can find or create modern versions from a small battery powered light bulb. The lantern’s frame and inner candle holder can be made with some glued together wooden sticks; fabric or colourful paper is then secured over the frame while an additional stick is used to hold the lantern.  In Vietnam, you can carry your hand-crafted lanterns and parade the streets at night with friends and family while singing traditional songs and chants in order to celebrate the traditional Vietnamese folk dragon that brings rain to the region for successful rice reaping. It is truly an exciting show.

SHANG T’IEN-T’ANG (ASCENT INTO HEAVEN)

This game is traditionally played among women during twilight. It generally requires a group of girls or women lined up in a full circle. The game has a more mythical and imaginative vibe rather than being practical and active, as the traditional Moon Festival was full of magical meanings in many Chinese districts. As the game starts, a young lady will be selected from the circle to ‘ascend’ into heaven or a celestial realm.

The game starts with the chosen woman covering up her eyes with her hands, while a stick of incense is placed between her fingers. The remaining group of women, also called ‘the chorus’, will each hold a stick of incense and walk around her while chanting a melody until the main player ‘falls asleep’. Traditionally, it is said that this ritual will help the player’s soul ascend into the celestial realms of heaven, and the woman will start describing what she can see in the alternate realm. Despite its mythical motif, this game can be fun for children as the game can be turned into a short play or performance; it can be used to tell traditional stories about the festival or simply to explore children’s rich imagination.

LANTERN RIDDLES

In China, red paper lanterns are hung all over the streets and houses during the Mid-autumn Festival and they often have traditional riddles attached to them or written directly on top. The lantern riddles are also called ‘lantern tigers’, following the Chinese saying that solving a riddle is like fighting a tiger as they were difficult to figure out. They usually contain messages of wisdom and provide children with a great opportunity to practice problem-solving and language skills.

This game is quite simple; all you need is your hand-crafted or store-bought lanterns. You can write the riddles on a thin piece of paper and attach them by a string to the lanterns then each family member can take turns to work out the correct answers or ‘fight the tiger’. Here are some examples of common riddles you could use:

• What’s full of holes but still holds water?
• What do you call a rich fish?
• What building has the most stories?
• Which is faster, hot or cold?
• It’s been around for millions of years, but it’s no more than a month old. What is it?
• They look like twin brothers, both sturdy and tall. They work together and go everywhere together. But they only go near solid food and do not care for soup. Who are they?
• He devotes his life to looking after the house. His mate always follows when the master goes out. A gentleman sees him and goes away. A villain sees him and it spells bad luck. Who is he?
• Use the 10 letters acdehijlnp to spell out the names of four countries. Each name must be five letters long, and the four countries must be neighbors.

MAKING ‘TÒ HE’ (TOY FIGURINES)

This Vietnamese traditional children’s toy is made from glutinous rice powder which is dyed in different colors with food coloring. They are often sold on the streets by craftsmen and have become an important part of the Moon Festival celebration as characters from the Festival’s folktales are often made into figurines and commonly sold to children. Making ‘tò he’ is not only very simple but also an enjoyable activity to do with your family and friends to celebrate the Moon Festival. The glutinous rice powder is mixed with some water to create clay or dough-like consistency. It is a great alternative to clay or Play-Doh as the rice powder dough is completely edible, making the products safe for use. The plain dough can be separated into smaller parts; each of the smaller dough then can be dyed in any colour desired and can be used to create a variety of different shapes.

Traditionally, seven basic colours are used: green, blue, red, purple, white, yellow, and black. Another key material you will need is a bamboo stick or bamboo skewer which will be used to secure the dough on top during the figurine creation process. Let your creativity flow and make unique creations that are your own. The forms of ‘tò he’ can be flowers, animals, cartoon characters, or characters from folk stories such as the infamous ‘Tôn Ngộ Không’, the Monkey King in Journey to the West.

The post Mid-Autumn Festival Games to play with the Family appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Although Benaras lies neatly in a quieter street in town, the restaurant is almost always packed with such a diverse array of customers in the peak hours of the night. Benaras offers a wide range of Northern Indian dishes with an emphasis on homeliness, health, and authenticity.

Playing with your food isn’t a crime

What instantly stood out amongst the vast sea of dishes on the menu was the street food section. My favorite was Gol Gappe (or Panipuri). It was not so much a dish but more like an exciting ride in the amusement park. Each crunchy mouthful was a unique experience, from the earthy minty goodness to the sweet cooling chutney, you could taste it all.  A close second would be Puri bhaji which was on a slightly heartier side. Despite the distinctness of each dish, both featured similar staples such as potatoes, in which case, trying one out at a time might enhance your experience.

Tasting fireworks

Since all meals are made fresh to order, they take a good 20 minutes to make. While waiting, I got to enjoy what sounded like Hindi pop intertwined with good ol’ Rock, the likes of One Last Breath and The Final Countdown. It was surprising at first but I quickly eased to the vibrant beats. The rather intriguing song selection actually amplified the experience for me when I found myself fervently nodding to the Cranberries’s Zombies while relishing a perfect bite of curry-wrapped naan. Each bite was an explosion of flavors, meshing and melting into one another. As a garlic lover, I might be biased, but the Garlic naan was an absolute treat– it was garlicky, stretchy, yet somehow still had a bite to it. The Mutton was cooked till tender and filled with flavors, while the curry itself was creamy and hot with spices, as soothing as a hug on rainy days. 

Fresh for the best

Accustomed to the myriad sauces on the Indian dining table, I admit to having had a fleeting moment of disappointment when they offered me only two kinds: tamarind and mint. Upon dipping my gooey cheese naan into the sauces, I began to savor them both and figured I might not miss the variety after all. The two iconic chutneys were enough to satisfy my taste buds due to their unbelievable freshness. Benaras’s mint sauce was the best I had ever tasted. It was jam-packed with flavors and felt fresh like a morning breeze. The tamarind sauce was nothing less – fresh with a tinge of luxury.

Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and Dahi (Indian yogurt) are made in the Benaras kitchen every morning, and it clearly pays off. I had Lassi, an Indian yogurt drink, and was again surprised by its freshness and how refreshing it was for a dairy-based beverage. It also complimented the taste of my spicy Prawn Masala. Overall, highly recommended. Many chicken dishes at Benaras also have the chicken marinated in yogurt, which gives it a subtle creamy element and a beautiful coat with seared marks that contain all the desirable zest. I had several kinds and enjoyed every one of them in many different ways. 

Delicious roots and the story behind it all

Ms. Nidi, the owner, shared that Benaras was opened with a mission: changing the perception of Indian food, which has started currying favor (pun intended) with Vietnamese people only recently. Contrary to popular misconception, Indian food is exceptionally healthful. It contains loads of vegetables, spices laden with benefits, retains more nutrition due to slow-cook method, and has little saturated fat compared to most dishes elsewhere. She takes a step further to making sure that Benaras delivers non-oily food from fresh quality ingredients as detailed above. I truly felt no guilt treating myself to a steamy hot earnest bowl of curry in days wanting comfort. 

Towards the end of our conversation, Ms. Nidi shared that her husband and daughter were her greatest critics. They would come infrequently and taste test, so rest assured, you truly are getting family-endorsed delights at Benaras. 

Bits & Pieces

• Location: 
  • 5A, Nguyen Sieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 
  • 28, Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hours: 10 am – 12 am
• The cherry: 
  • District 1 branch offers “Royal Cuisine” that lets you dine how the Indian Royals would with customs, extravagant cutlery, and all.
  • District 2 branch has a garden and a rooftop bar. 
  • They are committed to being green and sustainable

*Photos by Nhi Luong & f.ahntasy

The post The exquisite world of Indian cuisine in Saigon appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

On an all-inclusive cruise getaway, guests can not only visit all the breathtaking nature highlights in one of the world’s must-visit wonders but also be immersed in lively nightclubs and discos available late into the night. It’s all about the hottest names in EDM hits rocking the cruise. Enjoy some cocktails while having fun in the jacuzzi! Just too much of force for lifting spirits! Join our most epic EDM Party Cruise – the first and the one and only registered party cruise in Ha Long Bay!

It’s really one of those things you have to experience to believe, but here’s our brief description of how it’s gonna be!

Inclusions

On the Cruise:

Full furnished deluxe cabin with A/C
All meals (02 lunches, 01dinner, 01 breakfast)
Complimentary morning tea and coffee
Complimentary mineral water (on bus)
Welcome drink
Cookery demonstrations
Entrance and sightseeing fees
Halong Bay Kayaking
Drinking games
English speaking guide
Round Trip Shuttle

Freedom Island:

Dorm: Accommodation with fan, hot water
All meals (01 lunch, 01dinner, 01 breakfast)
Entrance and sightseeing fees
Playing football, volleyball on the beach, Kayaking, Swimming and cliff jumping

Exclusions

Beverages
Personal expenses
All services and items not mentioned specifically in the list above
Note:
The price does not include any beverages onboard. Oasis Bay Party Cruise has a fully licensed that stocks spirits, beers, soft drinks at a competitive price.

* Special occasions surcharge: Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year

CONTACT US

Send us your inquiry to us and we will get back to you shortly!

Also please let us know if your preference does not match with any above and we will find the best alternatives! Thank you!

Please check tours in other destinations here

Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com

or Facebook msg us: facebook.com/mazevietnam / Whatsapp: +84 35 301 7716 (24/7 Available)

The post It’s time to join Epic EDM Party Cruise in Ha Long Bay – The one and only in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

With information rising rapidly and changing quickly, you might be wondering how worried you should be, and what’s scary about. Here’s what we do (and don’t really know) about this virus and we hope it helps.

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (2019-nCoV) are a large family of viruses that cause colds and other upper respiratory infections. These viruses are zoonoses, which means they are transmitted between animals and people. A coronavirus can potentially spread from humans to humans. Up to now, there is no confirmed cure for this disease. Coronavirus is as severe as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) which had happened before.

How did the outbreak start?

The new study The Lancet provides more clues to the virus’ origins, and points to bats as the most likely cause. The coronavirus is known to first appear in a wet market in the center of Wuhan city, mainland China, and the market is famous for selling a wide range of dead and living animals without hygiene standards. Some people claim the Wuhan market is the direct cause for outbreak whereas some say bats are not sold at this market but may have infected live animals sold there. This question still remains challenging for us.

What are the symptoms of this virus?

The symptoms can include a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties. In the meanwhile, there are also some early reports of non-respiratory symptoms. Many people recover within a few days. However, some people, especially children and old people, who tend to have a weak immune system are more likely to get infected. In more severe cases, the infection can cause even deaths.

Why so scary?

Unlike bacterial infections, which can be treated by antibiotics, coronaviruses have no specific treatments. Also, these respiratory viruses can spread more easily from person to person, and potentially lead to an outbreak. The deadly outbreak began in China, and new cases have been reported in 26 countries (updated 2 Feb 2020) including Vietnam with 7 confirmed cases in which 2 of them recovered.  Some countries including the USA, Australia, Russia, and Singapore even closed border to all Chinese arrivals.

People are frightened, recalling the fear of epidemics spanning back to the year of 2003 when SARS happened. However, during the SARS outbreak, China had 5,327 cases and 349 deaths, according to the World Health Organization, whereas China now has over 14,000 Coronavirus cases confirmed, over 300 deaths. The global outbreak of SARS had spread to over 8,000 people worldwide and killed almost 800.

Where to get up-to-date information?

The real-time tracking map from Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering is believed to provide accurate information. Follow the link here. Updated on 2 Feb 2020, there are 14,628 cases confirmed, 305 total deaths, and 348 recovered.

If no cure, then what are the preventions?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent this deadly infection. However, the best way to prevent getting infected is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends doing the following things.

• “Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. “

The Bottom line

We should not panic although we are dealing with a serious and deadly virus. More information available, and preventives well-equipped will help.

The post The new coronavirus and the local fear: What we do and don’t know appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

THE NORTH

What is that makes the word ‘North’ synonymous with ‘cold’ in the minds of almost every Vietnamese? First of all, Northern Vietnam enjoys a much diverse climate than other regions, with four seasons throughout the year.

These seasons include spring (March to April), summer (June and July), fall (August to November), and winter (December to February). The most distinct feature of the Northern Vietnamese climate has to be its extremely cold winters, with temperatures dropping down to below 10 degrees (all temperature measurements are in Celsius). 

To ease in and out of the extremity of winter, fall and spring delivers more pleasant temperatures, often staying on the cool side, but not necessarily cold. It is important to note that while these two seasons share the same temperatures, fall tends to be a lot drier than spring.

Meanwhile, summer is the complete contrast of the three seasons above. On an average summer day in Hanoi, it can easily get as hot as 35 degrees, with relatively high humidity to complement the heat. Thus, one would be best advised to visit the north on a warm delightful day in spring.

THE CENTRAL 

As we go from northern to central, the seasons start to get muddled up with each other. From November to April, the weather is much like that of the fall in Northern Vietnam: cool, dry and mild. However, temperatures start to climb quickly as we enter the remaining months of the year, with the period from June to August being the hottest.

Da Nang City is a prime example of Central Vietnam’s climate, with temperatures going over 35 degrees on peak days and averaging at about 33 – 35 degrees from June to August. Meanwhile, the monsoon season from September to March can massively cool down the atmosphere (to as low as 18 degrees from November to January). 

Hoi An, on the other hand, is usually a notch cooler, yet still warm year-round. With temperatures rarely going above the 30-degree ceiling, its weather is split into two definite seasons: a monsoon season from September to January and a dry season in the remaining months.

THE SOUTH

Much like Hoi An, most cities in the south adhere to the two-season rule: a wet monsoon season from May to October, and a dry season from November to April. Unlike other regions, however, Southern Vietnam is always hot.

Needless to say, Ho Chi Minh City is the best representative of the steaming southern climate. Almost all year round, you can rarely find a day where the temperature would drop below 25 degrees, with humidity levels averaging at 75%. 

Monsoon season in the south offers a slight cool-down with downpours of up to 300 millimeters of rain. Nevertheless, it is still possible to find intermittent periods of sunshine to bask in, but just remember to take your umbrella!

All in all, it seems that the best time to visit Southern Vietnam would be from December to February. Not only is the weather drier and more pleasant, but there’s also a series of festivals and activities taking place all over the region to celebrate Tet – the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. 

The post Rain or Shine: A weather guide in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Vietnam – the country of Dusty Travel

“Dusty travel” in a sense of backpacking perfectly fits in the place and context of Vietnam. Vietnam caters everyone’s needs from being known as an oasis of relaxation, famous for epic adventures, to offering all the unique experience, not to mention such delicious feasts for your eyes with a perfect blend or balance of flavors. Vietnam is now a backpacker hub and has become one of the most prominent travel destinations in Asia on account of cheap cost of living, friendly and exciting vibes, a wide selection of off-the-beaten-track spots, and much more. In one word, Vietnam is the “Dusty travel” heaven.

However, (or also) in another sense of “Dusty travel”, its literal meaning is “dusty” or “dust”– “bụi” and “travel” – “du lịch”, which means we travel while breathing the dust in. While a lot of people have been writing about living, working, and traveling in Vietnam regarding all the excellent travel highlights, we rarely get to read articles about one of the most undeniable drawbacks – the air pollution in Vietnam, especially in big cities such as Hanoi, and Saigon (HCMC). The air quality index (AQI) has been very high, normally from 150 – 220, ranking on the top of the world sometimes at over 300.

The air quality gets that worse due to lots of reasons, such as the burning traditions taken from Chinese culture on special lunar days, the breakout of fire in a light warehouse releasing a high amount of fluorescent last year, the excessive amount of pollution resulted from motorbikes (around 7 mill bikes and 500K cars in a big city here!) and cars on the road, the northeastern trade winds carrying all the industrial dirt and dust from China and Hanoi’s neighboring provinces, and much more.

So what’s the solution? 

First of all, it is highly recommended to install AQ tracking apps like Airvisual just so you know on which days the AQI in the city is so high that you can avoid by staying indoors. Especially if you are traveling with a baby, an elderly family member, a pregnant woman or someone that has moderate to severe breathing problems, you should be more careful and well-prepared.

If air pollution does not constitute the number one concern, it is as just moderate as it could be. In Hanoi and Saigon, you may have to learn to wear a mask or have your hand cover your mouth while getting a full exposure to the traffic flow out there. Also, doing some outdoor exercises during the day might not be ideal, either. These tiny particles of pollution can burrow deep into the lungs and cause a range of severe health problems. It may result in occasional coughs, sneeze, sore throat, and even worse, some severe respiratory health problems like bronchitis, or lung inflammation. It’s not a fun reality, but it’s the truth.

If you tend to live here long-term, consider using an air filter indoors. But chances are it is going to take more of a toll on your health. However, just as long as you get out of Vietnam’s two biggest cities, you can see the air quality in Vietnam is getting better. It doesn’t mean you have to head for some remote rice paddy villages to get some fresh air, but you can start thinking about other city options including Da Nang, Hoi An, Da Lat, Can Tho, etc.

Regardless, while air pollution can be a problem in Vietnam, don’t let it hold you back from checking this country.

The post Du lịch Bụi – The joy of backpacking or breathing the dust in appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Learn more about other Vietnam’s cool cultural facts and traditions here

Wearing Pajamas as Day Wear

There’s nothing better than staying in a set of soft and comfy pajamas at home. And in Vietnam, you see women in pajamas literally everywhere! They are on motorbikes, walking down the streets, or serving in food stalls, especially in the rural areas. It’s basically normal, no big deal here; it’s not that they forgot to dress up before going out, it’s that pajamas are a fashion choice here. Pajama sets come in a range of sizes and styles, from matching floral T-shirts and shorts to full-length silk pants and long-sleeved shirts.

Self Ear Cleaning anytime anywhere

You might have noticed many people in Vietnam, especially men, have an incredibly long pinkie fingernail; it is actually linked to the purpose of sel-ear cleaning. Not just that, the Vietnamese use little spoons, chopsticks, tweezers, or even toothpicks wrapped in tissues to scoop out the wax and tickle the skin. You might think it is terrifying but many Vietnamese people love it. Convenient. Anytime. Anywhere.

English songs for Holidays and Anniversaries

‘Beautiful in White’ on Weddings, ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Last Christmas’ played in shops over the holiday, and Happy New Year – ABBA on the New Year’s Eve – All the good old English songs are all over the place in Vietnam when the right events come. There is no explanation for why the Vietnamese stick with those songs for decades. It becomes an indispensable and unexplainable tradition in this country. If you want to trace back to the holiday vibes in the 20th century, Vietnam seems to be the right place.

Fun fact: The top and most recent comments on Happy New Year ABBA come from the Vietnamese

Bamboo Pipe Smoking

Smoking in Vietnam is highly common, with an estimation of over 15 million tobacco smokers, and over 33 million non-smokers who are heavily exposed to tobacco smoke. Communal smoking started as an integral part of Vietnamese culture in the way men exchanged cigarettes in greetings. A popular and traditional form of smoking in Vietnam is Thuoc Lao, or Dieu Cay – the farmers’ bamboo pipe, which is often passed around after a meal to help with the digestion process. Thuoc Lao are leaves of Nicotiana rustica plant put inside a long pipe in which people can smoke through and just one shot, a flood of high nicotine to the bloodstream pushes even the heaviest regular cigarette smokers down onto the floor, off the limit, with a strong dizziness in the head and a rapid heartbeat out of the chest. Despite the health risks that Thuoc Lao poses, it remains very popular in Vietnam, mainly in the Northern part.

While having some free green tea on the sidewalks, you might be offered some bamboo pipe shots, it’s up to you whether to say no or give it a try. But remember, we give you a warning in advance already!

Foreigners tried smoking the bamboo pipe and the results

Choosing a custom phone number

In Vietnamese culture, lucky numbers play a big part in most people’s life. Numbers like 1, 6, 8, 9 are thought as lucky, and the opposite normally goes to number 4, 13. The Vietnamese also believe a good combination of digits in their phone number can bring them luck. They choose their phone numbers based on their birthday, or just a sequence of “beautiful digits”, most popularly triple, quadruple eight or nine. Some wealthy people pay a lot of money in order to acquire a phone number. For instance, mobile number 0989 999 999 was sold for USD 664,000 in reality in Vietnam. Whereas some people find the joy out of those lucky phone numbers, we find it frustrating to keep double-checking the sequence whenever we try to save contacts.

Phone wallpaper as a picture of themselves

Most Vietnamese peoples phone wallpaper is a picture of themselves. It is not only common in Vietnam but also in Asia where people (mostly women) like setting their phone wallpaper as the picture of themselves. Whether it is a selfie, a picture of themselves traveling around, or an artistic shoot, there is always their face, just there. It has become a trend that we can hardly explain. It’s probaly a very good thing. Imagine … if they lost their phone and you found it, you don’t have to check if it had a lock that they could open to confirm, because just by looking at their wallpaper, you know it’s theirs, just like an ID card.

Coffee Made from Weasel Poop

Traditionally known as one of the best coffees in the world, Vietnam’s weasel coffee is made from the poop of weasels after they eat the ripest and sweetest coffee berries and let the seeds out. These seeds are picked, washed, dried for 3 days under the sun, then ready for roasting, bagging, and selling, just like other coffees. What makes weasel coffee stand out is its great aroma thanks to the interaction between the weasel’s digestive enzymes and beans. The finest coffee can cost you around $100 for 100 grams, and for every 1kg of coffee berries, there is only 0. 3 kg of poop.

If you also have discovered funny, exciting things in Vietnam, please feel free to share us!

The post 7 Weird Things You’ll Only See in Vietnam | An Insight Into Local Life appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

From the get-go, Bống came in with much aplomb, offering her chè to the Sharks, who only had praises in response. She then presented her business model in front of the illustrious panel and asked for 200 million vnd ($8,700) in exchange for 20% equity.

It all started when Bống got a taste of Chè Bưởi, a Southern dessert consists of beans, tapioca starch, and pomelo pulp with a souplike consistency, in a restaurant. So enraptured by the taste and smell that cup of chè bưởi, Bống was determined to bring this delicacy closer to the hearts of Northerners. And so, she set on learning how to cook chè bưởi herself. After 15 tries, Bống finally found the right recipe. With that, Bống opened her business.

Bống admitted that initially it was hard to establish a solid ground to launch the shop since so many food and beverages shops had existed already. Bống did not want hers to have to fade into the muted background of the crowded food scene, so she conceived the brand “Chè Bưởi Bống Nấu” (“Chè Bưởi made by Bống”), hoping that it would give her shop a nice ring.The brand can now be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube with thousands of followers.

Most customers of Chè Bưởi Bống nấu know about her via those social media applications, others through the good old word of mouth. All, however, can probably attest to how delicious her chè is. So delicious that one woman even drove a car to buy hundreds of cups of chè to feed her company. On average, Bống sells somewhere in the region of 100 cups per day.

On good days, a national holiday for example, Bống cooks and sells up to 400 cups of chè, amounting to 3.2 million vnd (roughly $140) in total. Along with the famous chè, Bống also sells books and toys. With this diverse business model, she quickly gained financial independence. Speaking with Little Big Shots, Bống bashfully shared that the pair of Converse she was wearing had been bought using her own money. She had also spent the money on a laptop and was looking into an Ipad Air 2 to help her learn English with more flexibility. However, ever the businesswoman, she insists on always putting 10% of her revenue into a long-term savings pocket. Then there is a pocket for necessities, another for education, one for financial freedom, and one for charity.

As school takes first precedence always, Bống runs her shop on Sundays only. Bống would wake up at 5 o’clock sharp in the morning to prepare and cook up some chè, her mom helping on the side. The profits, though, are split in a 51-49 ratio. The slightly larger portion goes to our young boss. But this is not Bống’s ultimate vision; she wants to expand the business, to go national hence her participation in Shark Tank.

As it turned out, her offer — 200 million vnd ($8,700)  for 20% equity — was taken up by Shark Thuỷ. Shark Thuỷ also sponsors 500 million vnd ($22,000) for Bống’s study in entrepreneurship and leadership in a span of 5 years. Besides, Bống will be the ambassador for Shark Thuỷ’s English language center — Apax Leaders. Shark Hưng, on the other hand, offered Bống 100 million vnd ($4,350) in return for 10% of her business. He shared that the Sharks’ investments in Bống were investments in a new form of education that is hands-on and applicable, thereby encouraging Bống to keep learning and doing what she does and loves to do.

Ms. Hạnh, Bống’s neighbor, commented:

“Bống has always been the star of the neighborhood for her immense talent and inexhaustible energy. Bống makes really delicious chè; I have some all the time.”

I hope, and am quite sure, that Bống will soon realize her dream of having a chain of shops across Vietnam. Then I too can have some of that sweet Bống – made Chè Bưởi.

The post Bống Chè Bưởi – A little girl with an entrepreneurial mindset appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Other Food Destinations in Hanoi

Xôi Đường Thành (Đường Thành’s Sticky Rice)

Xôi, sticky rice, is somewhat a familiar dish to the most of Vietnamese. Even to the foreigners, this is also not a dish that is not likely to attract their attention compared to the other because it is recommended all the time by the locals. However, you will find that nowhere has the exact kind of sticky rice as the others except for small food stalls selling on the side of the street. Thought as a simple dish, sticky rice is probably the most customized dish from those basic and fundamental ingredients in Vietnam.

In Hanoi, one place that will definitely blow your mind away with a variety of different sticky rice dishes of explosive flavor is the one-and-only Đường Thành. There on Đường Thành lies a sticky rice shop that not a single person does not know the name. Cát Lâm shop, the one that puts the once plain sticky rice dish to a whole new level.

Besides Cát Lâm, you can also find to Mrs. Thảo’s sticky rice shop. It is also a very well-known and highly recommended sticky rice shop in Đường Thành by most people. The most popular dishes at Mrs. Thảo’s are probably Crab Pie and Squid Pie Sticky Rice.

Apart from those dishes, you can also have your sticky rice of eggs and pork cooked with brine, the simple salted shredded meat sticky rice, pork pie sticky rice, pate, grilled rib, or stir-fried chicken with mushrooms sticky rice and so on. The price is very cheap, ranging from 8.000 – 20.000vnd per portion. You can choose sticky rice as your breakfast because of its convenience and nutrition which keep you all day long.

Gà Tần Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Simmered Chicken)  

Simmered chicken, until now, is still an unforgettable dish to all Hanoians. Simmered chicken has been there with all generations living in this capital. From the time when they were very little, they have been taken to simmered chicken shops by their parents to taste a wonderful dish for the first time in their lives. Simmered chicken is a very special dish. Despite most people usually have the dish in winter, some still love to eat it around the season, simply because they love it!

Simmered chicken is very sophisticatedly made with around ten different ingredients which are mostly Chinese traditional medicinal herbs. In the past, most people wanted to make simmered chicken would have to go to Chinese traditional herb shops to buy the ingredients. However, until recently, the development of the industry has made it much easier by putting all the needed ingredients in small packs and sell them in most grocery stores. Nevertheless, if everyone could make it and make it good, then simmered chicken shops as in Hàng Cót would no longer exist.
What makes it so special about gà tần Hàng Cót is probably how the ingredients are bought, carefully selected and seasoned. If you are looking for a taste that will change your view of Asian cuisine, just spend some time dropping by Hàng Cót. You can have normal simmered chicken or black simmered chicken (gà ác tần) or eat them with noodle (mì gà tần, mì gà ác tần).

Address: #12C Hàng Cót Street, Hòa Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hoa Quả Dầm Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Mixed Fruits)

Mixed fruits, what a lovely snack that most people would love to enjoy when they want treats to comfort their mouth. Mixed fruits are something very special to Asian people, especially Asian girls! In the past, people would mostly catch sight of a group of girl students after school talking and eating mixed fruits. Until now, mixed fruits are still a treat in favor of most teenagers for its sweet and sour taste with a little bit of chili that will easily get you addicted! You can choose from hundreds of flavors that you want. However mostly, people would choose mango, dracontomelum and plum flavors.

Address: Thủy Khế’s mixed fruits shop, 10 Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hoa Quả Dầm Ngọc Thạch Quán (Ngọc Thạch Quán’s Mixed Fruits)

You should also pay attention that there are two kinds of mixed fruits. The first one is the mentioned above, which is mostly in packages. The second kind is also in favor of lots of people. The fruits are altogether mixed in a bowl of cream sauce and coconut oil with different kinds of with white bubbles (trân châu trắng) as in bubble milk tea. For this kind of mixed fruits, it would be recommended that you go to Ngọc Thạch Quán in Tạ Quang Bửu Street because it is said to be one of the best shops for mixed fruits of this kind in Hanoi. The dish will be a perfect treat in summer. However, if you still want to try it in winter, just go for it!

Address: Ngọc Thạch Quán, 101 K5 Bách Khoa Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

5. Khoai Lang Xí Muội Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Salted Dry Fried Sweet Potato)

The first time you discover this treat is also the time that you fall in love with it. It may sound simple to Vietnamese but once you try it, you will probably talk to yourself like: “Oh God, what did I just eat?” because is insanely delicious. Fried Sweet Potato is like a treat that mostly fits for a cold winter in Hanoi. You will love the feeling of walking on the street, enjoying the beautiful old scenery while eating those scrumptious pieces of fried sweet potato. 

The best place for this treat you can find is in Hàng Cót Street, the Big Uncle Shop (Tiệm Chú Mập). Apart from salted dry fried sweet potato, you can also have some spicy Korean tokbokki (bánh gạo cay Hàn Quốc) or cheese mixed tokbokki. Everything is put in the paper bag if you want to take-away so it is quite convenient and eco-friendly.

Address: #12E Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hải Sản Hương Kiều (Hương Kiều’s Seafood)

Mentioning of seafood, apart from most big restaurants in the West Lake, Hương Kiều’s Seafood in Hàng Thùng is a good example of fresh and delicious seafood that you can get in the center of the capital. The restaurant also receives positive comments from the customers and rated as a must-visit seafood restaurant in Hanoi.

Address: #18 Hàng Thùng Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Cháo Sườn Tạ Quang Bửu (Tạ Quang Bửu’s rib gruel)

If you are wandering around Tạ Quang Bửu, the rib gruel shop on the street side is definitely a must-visit place if you want to have a taste of this notorious dish of Hanoi. It has been a long time since the shop for the first time sold its first bowl. There is no restaurant and no space for what we call “shop” but only plastic table sets on the street side or sometimes steps of stairs as a place to sit. Well, but people still love it. It is like being back to the past when the simplest thing can be that wonderful. For college students near that area, each afternoon will be the time for a get-together on the side street, gasping for those bowls of hot rib gruel while the stomach is craving for something to digest.

The bowl is the perfect match of each and every single ingredient in the bowl from the chewy meat of rib, the beautiful smell of fennels and the spiciness of pepper. All together create the most delicious treat of winter that you can ever imagine. Rib gruel is the best fit with some sticks of quẩy. You can either cut them in to piece or leave the whole stick. However, the first way is still recommended because it is easier to eat.

Address: #17 Tạ Quang Bửu Street, Bách Khoa Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Lutulata – Desserts and Drinks

Lutulata is a very special café shop in the center of the capital. Here in Lutulata, not only can you get the sensation of a relaxing tranquil heaven, you can also soak yourself in the sweetness of all kinds desserts and drinks such as sweeten porridge, sticky rice cake, lotus seed porridge and so on. Most people wanting to find an escape from a hard day will find to Lutulata. The café shop has a great view from the second floor to the street with the evergreen tree and an ancient pagoda. If you are finding yourself a place like this, take some time to drop by Lutulata – the land of dreams and tranquility.

Address: #39 Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

The post Top 8 Hanoi Street Foods You Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Here is the list of all the food destinations that he went to. Some of the owners in those restaurants or food stalls say that their life did take a huge milestone or a 180-degree turn for the better after being featured by Anthony Bourdain.

Bun Cha Huong Lien

What is it? Bun Cha – Grilled pork noodles
Address: 24 Le Van Huu
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Note: You should come as early as possible to avoid the crowd and the queue. Also, if you come late, Bun Cha will run out. Only vermicelli and spring rolls available – which happened to us once. We got there at almost 8:00 PM and we ended up eating vermicelli and spring rolls without Bun Cha in a Bun Cha restaurant.

Bun Cha Huong Lien is the most famous destination in the list since it is where U.S. Former President – Obama and Bourdain ate. You can navigate your way to Le Van Huu street which is located in the Old Quarter and drop by a small restaurant fully packed with scooters on the front and lots of people coming in and out. You would know you’re in the right place by seeing all the framed pictures of Obama and Bourdain on the wall. After their visit, the restaurant amended its own menu with the addition of “Obama combo” which literally means “this is what Obama ordered” including Bun cha, beer, and seafood spring rolls, one each. Bun Cha is a bowl of grilled pork, crunchy papaya, and carrots with fish sauce accompanied by rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. Just dip some vermicelli into the bowl then take a pork bite and eat! It’s easy, just mix and take bits of everything together and eat. It’s DELICIOUS!

Cussing Noodles

What is it? Bun doc mung – Noodles with pork and taro stems
Address: 41 Ngo Sy Lien, Hanoi
Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Cussing noodles restaurant is well-known among Hanoians. Some people from other provinces of Vietnam often make jokes about the name of this restaurant and some might even be afraid of it. They make lots of questions about not only the restaurant but also the people of Hanoi, whether they are rude or not, whether they are always cussing or not, and alike. The name of this restaurant is just after the name of the dish – Bun doc mung; however, the owner always cusses at her staff, customers, and even not any specific one, which makes people call her shop “cussing noodles”. This bun doc mung shop started to become famous thanks to the word of mouth as people have been always curious “why cussing noodles? what cussing?” and they just wanted to check it out. It became more and more famous thanks to Bourdain’s visit and that it was featured on CNN, viral all over the world. But the question is how about its quality?

Bun doc mung is a bowl of noodles (same strings of Bun Cha noodles) with pork, tomatoes, and taro stems. The best thing about it is its broth made of pork knuckles and snouts. Cussing noodles shop has been doing a great job in this. People love its broth, so no matter how long the queue is and no matter how much cussing they think they would get, they still come. What’s funny is some customers even “volunteer” and desire to be cursed by the owner that they tried to make fun of her or whatever way they could think of to piss her off.

Bun Oc Pho Co

What is it? Bun Oc – Snail noodles with broth
Address: Giang Bun Oc Pho Co, 36 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:30 AM–3 PM, 5–11 PM

This is one of the first dishes that Bourdain had in Hanoi. Although Bun Oc is not as famous as Pho in Vietnam, it is still worth trying at least once. The broth is special; the flavor and the smell are very good. Take a seat on a little plastic stool, swirl the chopsticks around and slurp some Bun Oc like a local.

Bia Hai Xom (Beer)   

What is it? Beers
Address: Bia Hai Xom chain is everywhere. But Bourdain went to 22 Tang Bat Ho, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10 AM–11:30 PM

Beer is everywhere in Vietnam and the number of beer consumers in Vietnam ranks on the up-top in the world. If you can drink or even can’t but want to see some party vibes and Vietnamese ways to clink the glasses, just come check out Bia Hai Xom – the most popular beer shop chain in Vietnam. You will see all the people around shout out cheerfully like crazy, counting from 3 to 1 and “Dzo”. You say “Cheers”. The Vietnamese say “Dzo” and “Uong” – “Drink”.

Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang

What is it? Banh Xeo – Vietnamese pancake
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 2 PM / 4 PM – 9 PM

This Banh Xeo shop has become popular since Anthony Bourdain’s first visit which literally changed the shop’s destiny and life forever positively. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang offers a perfect version of Vietnam’s Southern pancake – Banh Xeo. The fried crust is made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, while what’s inside is full of pork, shrimp, herbs, scallions, and bean sprouts. If you are a vegetarian, you can tell the owner to exclude all the meats. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang uses firewood to make the pancake, which makes the crust crunchy and the whole cake itself smell and taste better. You can eat Banh Xeo with your hands or chopsticks. Dip your Banh Xeo into a bowl of fish sauce and take a bite!

Bun Bo Hue The Lunch Lady

What is it? Bun Bo Hue – Hue style noodles
Address: 23 Hoang Sa Street, Phuong Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon) or Hem D Chung Cu Nguyen Dinh C, Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 11 AM – 3:30 PM

One of the most famous street food stalls in Saigon belongs to the legendary, also the street food celebrity – the Lunch Lady or Nguyen Thi Thanh. Anthony Bourdain found her stall and had some delicious noodles that he featured on his show No Reservations. It made this food stall become famous and popular all over the world day by day just after his visit; however, her name was and is still always well-known for her noodles and broth among the locals in Saigon. What’s interesting about this food stall is the way the Lunch Lady rotates her menu which serves only one type of noodle soup or broth every day just because she is an expert in that. Seven days in a week, she can walk you through a maze of noodles’ collection from Bun Bo Hue, Bun Thai (Thai’s noodles?), Bun Mam (Fish sauce noodles) to Banh Canh Cua (Crab noodles). If you visit on Friday, you will be served Bun Bo Hue in which you slurp some clear broth with a meaty flavor and chew on thick noodles while eating some meats, herbs, and rolls.

Cao Lau Hoi An

What is it? Cai Lau – Hoi An Noodles without broth
Address: Central Market in Hoi An

Cao Lau is a Hoi An signature that nobody should ever miss it when they are in Hoi An. Bourdain had Cao Lau in the Central Market, Hoi An where there are a large number of food vendors and restaurants offering delicious Central Vietnam cuisine. Cao Lau has thin slices of pork, thick Quang noodles, and all the fresh herbs and vegetables. If you travel to Central Vietnam without eating Cao Lau in Hoi An and My Quang in Da Nang, you’re not really in town.

Others

The above list is just to map out some signatures. To check the full food list by Anthony Bourdain, you can check the gallery below. Click on the photo for a bigger size and use the arrow to navigate. Feel free to give us your thoughts or feedback on these food destinations!

More articles about Food in Hanoi and Food in Saigon. 

The post Recreate Anthony Bourdain’s Food Adventure in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.