After a week of cycling in Vietnam, we can say we’ve discovered quite a few unique eating spots. This newsletter focuses on our culinary experiences—from breakfast with a hearty bowl of soup in a residential area to lunch among truck drivers in a bustling canteen, to dinner in a simple local restaurant—it’s always a surprise what lands on our plate.
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What Does Vietnamese Food Look Like?
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its healthy and distinct flavors. Fresh herbs, vegetables, and rice form the base, often combined with noodles, fish, pork, or beef. While there are plenty of fancy restaurants, the real Vietnamese cuisine is best experienced on the streets, at simple food stalls along the road, and in bustling markets. This past week, we found most of our meals there, and we were never disappointed!
Eating Along the Way
Our breakfast strategy? The first cozy spot we see. Breakfast usually starts with a big bowl of broth filled with pieces of chicken, noodles, and fresh vegetables. Sometimes, we add an egg or extra herbs for a little kick. Such a breakfast gives us the energy we need to tackle the first kilometers of the day.
Halfway through the morning, the next mission: coffee. Vietnamese coffee is small but strong, with an intense mocha flavor and a generous splash of condensed milk to make it sweet and creamy. It’s a small dose, but believe me, one sip, and you’re wide awake.
Around lunchtime—Vietnamese lunch starts as early as 11—we often end up in a busy canteen, surrounded by truck drivers and factory workers, with plates full of rice, fresh vegetables, chicken, or fish, all seasoned with fish sauce and a dash of chili. Dinner is often a similar combination, simple and easy to digest.
Oh, and let’s not forget the fruit! We’re spoiled here with delicious fresh fruit, from pineapple and mango to apples and pears. The fresh taste and juice provide much-needed refreshment after a day in the sun.
Budget-Friendly and Filling
What makes this adventure even better? The food is incredibly cheap. One day, we only spent €11 for breakfast, coffee, lunch, and dinner—and that’s for two people! We also drink plenty of water to cope with Vietnam’s heat and humidity. We go through liters but stay well-hydrated and ready for the next leg of our ride.
Vietnam has given us not only beautiful landscapes but also a surprising and delicious cuisine. We still have a few weeks to go, and we’re looking forward to tasting and discovering even more!
Pin’s Inspiring Journey
Pin, a smart and resilient ten-year-old, has been part of the TCDF family since she was three. Born deaf, she arrived at TCDF unable to walk or communicate. Through her hard work and TCDF’s support, Pin learned to walk, and with a hearing aid, she blossomed and could connect with those around her.
Pin is now part of TCDF’s Backpack Program, an intervention designed to help children with special needs gradually reintegrate into their local village schools. She now spends half her week at her village school and only two days at TCDF’s special school. Nearly fully reintegrated—a result to be proud of!
KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL – Cycling Together for Future Opportunities
Our mission: supporting children in Thailand with education. TCDF (Thai Child Development Foundation) offers scholarships for children with physical and/or mental challenges who need special care. Donating to TCDF is sustainable giving; for 20 years, this foundation has been making a real difference.
Dries and I confidently support TCDF and are now cycling across Southeast Asia, traveling sustainably to promote this important cause. Mieke even lived and worked at TCDF for six months, seeing firsthand where every euro goes.
Join Us and Donate!With €5 per kilometer cycled, you help us reach the Bike4Kids goal. The counter is already at €9150! So far, we’ve cycled 500 km from Hanoi.
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