Local flavor

Banh cay, a special Saigon snack

Among street foods in Saigon, banh cay (crispy fried cassava cake) is a favorite for not only locals, but foreigners as well, especially Korean and Japanese visitors. 
With its good flavor, mouthwatering appearance and reasonable price, this simple cake is one of the most popular street foods in Saigon, especially for students who consider the snack a big part of their school life.

On street corners in Saigon, one can easily see the cassava cake vendors who shape the cakes with one hand and fry them in a hot oil pan with another. They turn out yellow crispy cakes which are so delicious that any visitor should try them.





It is simple to make fried cassava cake, the main ingredients of which are cassava and rice flour. First peel fresh cassava roots, soak them in water and then mill into flour. Mix the cassava flour with rice flour, chili powder, green onion and fennel, and shape the dough mixture into round cakes. Fry the cakes in the hot oil till they turn yellow and crispy.

Due to its simple recipe, this delicious dish is also a favorite choice of Saigon housewives for family parties or meetings with friends.

 
By Nguyen Luan
 

The Essence of Pho - Heritage in the Digital Age

The Essence of Pho - Heritage in the Digital Age

Pho Festival 2025, themed “The essence of Vietnamese Pho - A Heritage in the Digital era,” recently unfolded at the historic Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. Organized by the Hanoi City Convention Center in partnership with the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center and other collaborators, the event marked a significant step forward in both preserving and promoting Vietnam’s most iconic dish.

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