THE SOUTH-VIETNAM
South Vietnam, formerly called “Nam Ky”, then Cochinchine by the French and finally “Nam Bo”, constitutes the south of the Indochinese peninsula, bathed by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Thailand at its end.
Deliciously exotic, southern Vietnam… will never cease to amaze and enchant you!
Southern Vietnam is a captivating multi-faceted region. It is also the rice granary and the vegetable garden of Vietnam because the region is very fertile and blessed with sunshine throughout the year.
Going down towards the coast, the coastal beaches are a pleasant stopover. Further south still is the city of Ho Chi Minh City, combining tradition and modernity. It is the economic capital of Vietnam. Its inhabitants enjoy a higher standard of living than in the rest of the country and its dynamism attracts many Vietnamese living in the surrounding regions.
Traveling in the south of Vietnam means discovering territories as exciting as they are different but all inhabited by populations known for their sincere hospitality.
The wide region of South Vietnam
✔ The South-East (Đông Nam Bộ)
It includes the low-lying areas of southern Vietnam lying north of the Mekong Delta. It brings together five provinces, as well as the independent municipality of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).
- The province of Bình Phước which chief town is Đồng Xoài.
- The province of Tây Ninh which chief town is Tây Ninh.
- The province of Bình Dương which chief town is Thủ Dầu Một.
- The province of Đồng Nai which chief town is Biên Hòa.
- The province of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu which chief town is Vũng Tàu.
+ Ho Chi Minh-city (municipality)
The climate of South Vietnam
The sunnier dry season from December to April is therefore recommended for your visit.
✔ In summary :
- The dry season (December to April) is the best time to visit the South. The temperatures are lower and the period is dry and sunny. From January to March then from October to December, the weather is mild, the sun is present but the heat is never excessive (20-30°C). This “beautiful season” has a welcome extension in the months of April and May.
- The rainy season (May to September) is not the best time because it rains almost every day. However, note that visits are still possible because the rain generally only falls at the end of the day and for a short time.
South Vietnamese specialties
Finally, there is the cuisine of southern Vietnam, which has been strongly influenced by Chinese, Khmer and Thai cuisines.
It is usually characterized by the addition of sugar and coconut milk.
There is a lot of seafood (from the open waters) and the use of dried fish for dishes and sauces.
Here are the specialties that can be found in Ho Chi Minh City and in the South.
✔ Le Hu Tieu (Saigon soup)
This soup would have Chinese and Cambodian origins but is especially known in southern Vietnam. Hu Tieu has thus become Saigon’s signature soup, just like Phở soup for Hanoi.
Served in a large bowl, hu tieu consists of a clear broth made from pork bones, rice noodles, pork, shrimp and quail eggs. Like Pho, Hu Tieu is the specific name for the rice noodle used as an ingredient for this dish from southern Vietnam. The rice obviously comes from the Mekong Delta and the rice paste is less thick. As for Pho, spices and condiments have a special place in the recipe but for Hu Tieu you have to add the sweet touch without which it would never have been accepted by the people of South Vietnam!
✔ Le Tả Pín Lù (South Vietnamese hot pot)
This is the Vietnamese fondue of South Vietnam! It is called lẫu in North Vietnam. It is a meal that Vietnamese like when they go out in groups. Of course, it’s not a cheese fondue… You have to prepare the broth and the ingredients: Beef, chicken, scallops, shrimp, carrots, ginger, bok choy, rice noodles… and the green vegetables! To your chopsticks!
✔ Le Bánh Xèo (south vietnam pancake)
Bánh Xèo is a crepe stuffed with ingredients such as pork, shrimp, onions, bean sprouts and mushrooms. When you eat it, you can accompany it with lettuce leaves, mint or coriander. Don’t forget to dip them in the sauce made with nuoc mam, sugar, lemon and a little chilli.
✔ Le Bánh Mì (Vietnamese sandwich)
The Vietnamese sandwich you will find on every street corner, in Saigon and elsewhere!
It consists of bread made from wheat flour, topped with different ingredients such as pork dumplings, roast pork, Vietnamese style pâté, coriander, carrot, cucumber, mayonnaise and chilli. The recipes depend on the vendors and these are their secrets too.
But do you know that Bánh Mì comes in various varieties? Indeed after the classic Bánh Mì of white bread, there is the black Bánh Mì whose bread is made either with squid ink or with coal flour (yes! coal flour!) and the patriotic Bánh Mì made with dragon fruit and beets. A visual and taste treat!
Don’t forget that the Bánh Mì, the Vietnamese sandwich, is one of the favorite dishes of travelers! Will it be yours?
✔ Le Bún Thịt Nướng (rice noodles and grilled meat)
Bún Thịt Nướng is a hearty dish from Saigon! It consists of fresh rice noodles, barbecued pork, lettuce, cilantro, sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, carrots, basil, peanuts and mint. Do not forget to water it once more with the sauce based on nuoc mam, sugar, lemon, garlic.
✔ Le Gỏi Cuốn (the spring roll)
Gỏi Cuốn is a delicious, refreshing and easy-to-prepare dish that always appears in Vietnamese family meals and celebrations. Gỏi Cuốn is a very familiar dish to many Vietnamese, especially in the South.
Many foreign tourists, who come to Vietnam, are very interested in this rustic dish because of its freshness. Gỏi Cuốn, also known as “spring roll” in French, “Vietnamese salad rolls” or “Vietnamese summer rolls” in English, impresses diners with the harmonious combination of ingredients (fresh vermicelli, boiled pork, boiled prawns shelled and raw) wrapped in a thin layer of rice paper soaked in soy sauce or peanut sauce to create a delicious feeling when tasting.
All these ingredients (the freshest in Vietnamese cuisine) combine to create an unforgettable taste experience and make this dish a pride of Vietnamese cuisine, which should not be missed!
✔ Le Che (dessert)
Let’s end this list… with dessert! A sweet dessert, made from a wide variety of ingredients: white beans, corn or even sweet potatoes. Everything is washed down with coconut milk.
They are found everywhere in South Vietnam and even elsewhere!
You now know the must-try dishes to taste during your trip to Vietnam. Which one makes your mouth water the most?
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