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.

Albeit the fact that French has implemented a subsequent number of cruel strategies on Vietnam during the colonization (1887-1954), which caused severe consequences to Vietnam in general, especially Hanoi, it is unreasonable to completely negate the beauty of many sophisticated architectures they have brought to our capital. People said that these colonial sites in Hanoi carried the charm, elegance, and gorgeousness of a French “mademoiselle” when she set her first step on this S-shape land. Therefore, in this article, we recommend you top 8 French colonial sites in Hanoi that you cannot miss.

View All Content

Long Bien Bridge

Constructed from 1899 to 1902, Long Bien Bridge was the first bridge across Red River. At that time, it used to be called “Doumer”, the name of Indochina president - Paul Doumer. If you go there by motorcycle and bike, park your vehicle on the side of Long Bien Bridge, stand there and watch the antique attractiveness of our “historical observer”. Not shiny or modern like other bridges as you may see in Da Nang or Quang Ninh, Long Bien Bridge can lure tourists into the primitive color of rust. Combining with the fierce Red River, the whole scenery may make you feel breathless. Moreover, if you are lucky, sometimes you will be able to see the train pass by and experience a little bit of fear when the bridge vibrates slightly.

 

Address: Cầu Long Biên, Phúc Tân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Hang Dau Booth

In 1894, the French built two booths calls Hang Dau and Don Thuy (located at the end of Dinh Cong Trang street) to provide water for the citizens as well as Western soldiers in the Old Quarter. The tower looks like an ancient fortress constituting three floors, cylinder with 19-meter diameter and 25-meter height. Continuing to explore inside, you will find some stone walls with doors to wander around. Since 1954, Hand Dau booth has been abandoned and turned into a touristic spot in Hanoi. Furthermore, the presence of this water tower appears as an evidence for a historical period of our capital.

Address: Hang Dau booth is located at the intersection of Hang Dau, Hang Than, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Hang Cot and Hang Giay (Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội)

Hanoi Opera House

If Sydney’s symbol is the opera house and Norwegian people are also proud of their opera house in Oslo, Hanoi’s opera house is a must- visit place in our capital. Resembling the model of an Opera house in Paris, this site was constructed from 1901 to 1911 on Trang Tien Street. If there is a classical band or musician arriving in Vietnam, definitely Hanoi opera house will be the place to hold their performance. Recently, Hanoi opera house has cooperated with Institut Francophone International to open a virtual tour around the house combining with the gentle melody of French classical music in 15 minutes, which gives the audience a clearer view about the establishing history as well as the sophisticated architecture of this site.

Address: 01 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3933 0113
Website: http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

With the typical features of Gothic style in Europe with high stone walls, dome and lots of windows, for a long time, St. Joseph’s Cathedral has become an ideal place for couples to take wedding photo. Inspired by the design of Notre Dame in Paris, the construction of this site began in 1886. Therefore, this is the oldest church in Hanoi. Inside, the church is sculptured with sophisticated pattern beneath an admirable system of holy pictures on colorful glass. If you are a type of dreamy person, this place will make you feel like a princess living in her antique castle.

Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3928 6350

Dong Xuan Market

Tired of historical sites, then you might be interested in this one - Dong Xuan Market, where you can find almost everything in the world with cheap price if you know how to bargain. Located in the old streets, Dong Xuan market is known as the “stomach” of Hanoi. The history of this area is attached to the establishment and development of Thang Long, which once was the name of Hanoi. Dong Xuan market was built in the middle of 1889 by the French government. Despite the fast pace of modern life, for more than 100 years, Dong Xuan market has still been so lively and always full of customers. Not only is this the most crowded in Ha Thanh (another way to call Hanoi), Dong Xuan market comprises a significant amount of cultural and mental values illustrating divergent lives of old Hanoi people.

Address: Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

National Museum of Vietnam History

To understand better about the glorious history of Vietnam in general, you should visit National Museum of Vietnam History. National Museum of Vietnam History is one of the oldest museums inheriting the infrastructure of Louis Finot, which was erected in 1926. Visiting the museum, you will be amazed by the grand exhibition through 30- 40 thousand years until today. Not only can you emerge in the solemn atmosphere but you are also able to witness an important part of Vietnam during the colonial period.

Address: No. 1, Tràng Tiền – No. 25, Tông Đản, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Website: http://baotanglichsu.vn

Government Guest House

After passing by National Museum of Vietnam History, you can easily see a grand yellow mansion with Vietnam’s flag held in the front roof. Government Guest House possesses the classic beauty of French architecture, with the symmetrical ground and façade complex resembling authentic European style.

Address: 10 Lê Thạch, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3825 5853

Hoa Lo Prison

If you are a brave person and fond of a terrifying experience, then this prison should definitely be included in your checklist. Hoa Lo prison was held up by French colonists in 1896 called “Central prison” to imprison Vietnamese patriots and politicians during that time. The Vietnamese history says that the Frech colonists applied many savage methods from hitting, locking people in iron cache to sentencing them to death in order diminish the spirit of Vietnamese soldiers. Today, Hoa Lo prison has turned into a touristic spot for who wants to comprehend the difficulties as well as incredible strength of Vietnam to be able to defeat the French colonists.

Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3934 2253

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Constructed in 1901 by two French investors André Ducamp and Gustave-Émile Dumoutier, Metropole is the first 5- star as well as oldest hotel in Hanoi. For a long time, this place has been chosen to be the accommodation of many politicians, movie stars, and famous writers when they visited Hanoi such as Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda, George H. W. Bush, etc. Metropole hotel comprises of two main area: the ancient Metropole and the new Opera.

Address: 15 Ngô Quyền, Hoàn Kiếm
Website: http://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/

Cua Bac Church

Cua Bac Church is a Roman Catholic church constructed by the French colonist in 1932. The site constitutes the uniqueness in French architecture, which creates an unforgettable mark whenever people visit here. Designed by Ernest Hébrard, Cua Bac Church possesses an asymmetric style, which is totally different from a normal design of other cathedrals built during this time. Moreover, thanks to the harmonic designs between Eastern and Western culture, this site is highly evaluated as a typical model of European and Vietnamese style’s combination.

 Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình
No matter how the French colonists had sabotaged Vietnam, we cannot unrecognized their effort in constructing many impressive sites in Hanoi. Not only do these places help us to attract a substantial amount of tourists but it also represents the glorious past of Vietnamese people in general.

The post 10 Most Spectacular French Colonial Sites in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Slowly as the train leaving behind the noisy and gaudy city, Long Biên Bridge, like a concealer, little by little took off its cover and appeared behind the fog of an early morning. “It is a splendor scene”, I thought myself. But at the time, little did I know, there was life, breathing and going on under its pier.

Long Bien (Long Biên) was the first steel bridge built by the French from 1899 – 1902 and named Doumer after the great Paul Doumer. If one day, you walk by the bridge, just look around and you will see the sign: 1899 -1902 – Daydé & Pillé – Paris because it was the name of a French construction company called Daydé & Pillé that built the bridge. And as I grow older, I have driven through the bridge, though little did I actually stop to feast my eyes upon the dust and dawn and the fishing boat letting itself go freely on the gentle stream of the Red River.

It reminds me of my good old days as a child when Hanoi was still a place for the things that were kinda obsolete but strangely dear. Despite living in the city for almost all of my youth, I will probably have to shame myself for not once setting foot to Nhật Tân Flower Garden near Long Biên Bridge and Long Bien local market. Then I decided to travel to this market with our professional photographer, Minh Nguyen, who knows this place so well, to see the beauty of Long Bien local life in the early morning.

Long Biên Market is one of four biggest markets in Hanoi lying right under Long Biên’s pier, behind the border gate. It is where many people from most of the Northern provinces gathering to sell their produces in the hope of earning their livings and supporting their families. People deliver produces from the countryside to Long Bien Market from 00:00 AM to 05:00 AM daily. And if you take a closer look, you will figure it out that most porters working in the market are women. They come from Bắc Ninh, Hà Giang, Thanh Hóa and many elsewhere.

They work hard through the day from 10:00 PM to 07:00 AM, though there are days they carry almost a quintal and only earn around 100.000 – 200.000 Dongs (~USD 5 – USD 10). However, life still goes on with its bustle and hustle going around all day. People here are still selling and people there are still coming to buy. Although they are all doing their jobs, sometimes there is one moment when they, and we are both standing at the line of today and tomorrow to admire and to reminisce: the dawn of Long Biên.

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words by Trang Nguyen
Photos by Minh Nguyen

The post Dawn in Long Bien: A Slice of the Local Life | Travel Photoblog appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

—

Video shot by Minh Nguyen and edited by Hung Nguyen
Scriptwriter: Chi Le

The post Hanoi Ceramic Road appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr: Photo Album Flickr (Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words by Content writer Trang Nguyen
Photos by Contributor Duc Vu

To see more photos about Tạ Hiện and other interesting streets in Hanoi Old Quarter at night, please click here

The post Ta Hien – Beer Street in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words and photos by Minh Nguyen.

The post Hanoi Railway Village appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

View All Content

Bà Thiên Hậu Pagoda

Bà Thiên Hậu Pagoda, a famous construction in the Cho Lon area, is the oldest Chinese pagoda built by the Chinese who emigrated to Vietnam in 1760. It embodies typical Chinese architecture embellished with flowery, leafy patterns, birds, statues, ceramic items and so on. Many people visit the pagoda on the first and fifteenth day of a lunar month when a full moon is visible. Not only does it symbolize architectural and religious values but a pagoda is also a gathering place of the Chinese-Vietnamese community.

Address: #710 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Miếu Quan Đế (Nghĩa An Hội quán)

Constructed by the Chinese, the pagoda appears as a beautiful ancient pagoda in District 5 featuring interesting Chinese architectural style. Get inside and explore the mystery of Chinese-Buddhist interiors!

Address: #678 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

All photos on this post taken by Trieu Anh

The post Where to visit in District 5, Saigon? appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Click here for more information about upcoming events in the museum: http://www.vme.org.vn/events/
You can go to the Museum by taking a taxi or going by bus number 14 from Hoan Kiem Lake (it would take about an hour).

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (From Tuesday to Sunday; closes in Lunar New Year holiday)
Admission prices: Adult: 40 000 vnd; Children under 6: Free.
Website: http://www.vme.org.vn/ (Vietnamese, English and French)
Address: Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay, Hanoi

All photos on this post taken by Mai Tran.

The post What to do in Cau Giay District, Hanoi? appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

After that, the entrance was soon granted for everyone. This is the place where Vietnamese students often visit before taking their important exams (mostly High school entrance exams and University entrance exams). They want to pray for the success, asking for the Confucius, sages and scholars’ guidance in having clear thinking and peace into their hearts before taking the exams. If you go to the Temple of Literature in the first days of Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán), you will get to see a lot of calligraphists writing couplets of nice wishes in Chinese characters as the gifts for anyone who wants to receive (Most of Vietnamese people often take these to hang on the walls or doors in their houses with their belief in health, happiness and prosperity in the new year).
Opening hours: 7:30 am to  5:30 pm (from about 15/4 to 15/10); 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (the rest days)
Admission prices: Adult: 30 000 vnd; Children under 15: Free. 
Address: #58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi.

All photos on this post taken by Tung Pham

The post What to do in Dong Da District, Hanoi? appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

View All Content

Tran Quoc Pagoda
1500 year-old-Tran Quoc Pagoda (Chùa Trấn Quốc), one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam with great architecture, located on an island in the east of West lake.  Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and you can capture people sincerely sitting and praying in the Hall.
To pray at a pagoda or a temple, most of Vietnamese people press their palms together and bow three times.

Opening hours: 7:30 am to 11:30 am; 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Address: Thanh Nien, Tay Ho, Hanoi.

Tay Ho Temple
Tay Ho Temple (Phủ Tây Hồ) is dedicated to the Mother Goddesses. Heading to Tay Ho Temple, you will enter the gate, take a look at a golden buffalo, and walk inside the temple. Pathways here are packed out with stalls selling fruits, flowers, incense, joss paper and other offerings for worshipers to buy and place them on the altars. More appealingly, you will get to see some elders writing prayers in Chinese characters on sheets of thin papers for the visitors to send to the Gods.

Address: Quang An, Tay Ho, Hanoi.

All photos on this post taken by Tu Vu.

The post What to do in Tay Ho District, Hanoi? appeared first on Maze Vietnam.