How to Make Vietnamese Dipping Fish Sauce - Nuoc Mam Cham

By Lena Ho

Dipping Fish Sauce is the most common sauce to accompany Vietnamese dishes. This is a basic version of the dipping fish sauce, in general, you can adjust the taste to your personal preferences. In Vietnam, the sauce is also adjusted based on regional variations. In general, if you move south, the sauce gets sweeter and more garlicky. In Central, the sauce is heavier in fish sauce and hotter. To develop your own version, don't mix everything together at once, but rather break up the process to adjust it along the way. You make want to add more sugar, or using rice vinegar instead of lime juice, or add in more or less or chili and garlic, it's up to you.

Recipe for Vietnamese Dipping Fish Sauce - Nuoc Mam Cham

2 Thai bird chilies or 1 serrano chili, or to taste
2 clove garlic, sliced
3 tbsp sugar
2/3 cup water or fresh coconut juice
1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
5 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp finely shredded carrots or carrot and radish pickles for garnish (optional)

Cut the garlic and chilies into thin rings. Place the chilies, garlic and sugar in a mortar and pound into a coarse, wet paste. (If you don't have a mortar, mince garlic and chillies very well with a chef knife and mix in sugar.) Transfer to a small bowl and add water, lime juice and fish sauce.

Stir well to dissolve.

For a variation, add some grated carrot or Carrot and Radish Pickles to the dip.

Set aside for 10 mins before serving.

Makes 1 cup

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Images From Around Vietnam

  Below is a collection of random images from around Vietnam! 

All images by Adam Hurley - co-owner of Saigon Unseen - Motor Bike Adventures In Saigon

Making bricks in Ben Tre, Mekong Delta

Cruising on the Saigon River

Can Tho City at night

Building a Mekong Bridge

Cooking Pancakes

Church in Saigon

Citadel - Hue

New Financial Building - HCMC

On the farm - Between Hanoi and Halong Ba

Cao Dai Temple - My Tho

Fishing the Mekong

Thien Mu Pagoda - Hue

Tu Duc Tomb - Hue

Fruit Sellers - Halong Bay

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See more Images from Vietnam and Cambodia - Click below.

Rice Paper - Vietnam

Making Rice Paper at Cu Chi Tunnels Complex

In Europe, around the 1900s, a paperlike substance was originally known as rice paper, due to the mistaken notion that it is made from rice. In fact, it consists of the pith of a small tree, Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice paper plant.

The plant grows in the swampy forests of Taiwan, and is also cultivated as an ornamental plant for its large, exotic leaves. In order to produce the paper, the boughs are boiled and freed from bark. The cylindrical core of pith is rolled on a hard flat surface against a knife, by which it is cut into thin sheets of a fine ivory-like texture.

Making Rice Paper

Dyed in various colors, this rice paper is extensively used for the preparation of artificial flowers, while the white sheets are employed for watercolor drawings. Due to its texture this paper is not suited for writing.

Making Rice Paper at Cu Chi Tunnels Complex

Edible rice paper is used for making fresh summer rolls (also called spring rolls) or fried spring rolls in Vietnamese cuisine, where the rice paper is called bánh tráng or bánh đa nem. Ingredients of the food rice paper include white rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, and water. The tapioca powder makes the rice paper glutinous and smooth. It is usually sold dried in thin, crisp, translucent round sheets that are wrapped in cellophane. The sheets are dipped briefly in hot water to soften them, then wrapped around savory or sweet ingredients.......read more

See Saigon Like a local 

Moto Adventures with Saigon Unseen

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Photos From Vietnam and Cambodia

O'My Buddha............!

Marble Mountain near Danang City

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See More Photos From Vietnam and Cambodia!

Danang City - Vietnam

Danang Beach

In the middle of the 16th century, when Hoi An was a busy center of the south, Danang was only a small port for goods in transit and ship repair. It gradually developed into a commercial port replacing Hoi An in the early 18th century, when European shipbuilding was improved and large deep draught vessels could easily enter Danang Bay.

In 1835, after King Minh Mang ordered: “European vessels are not allowed to anchor to do trade at any harbours except for Han Port”, Danang became the largest commercial port in the central region. The local small-scale industries, including shipbuilding, preliminary processing of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, and trade, services prospered accordingly.
The French colonists, after establishing their domination of the whole of Vietnam in 1889, separated Danang from Quang Nam Province and renamed the city Tourane and under the control of the Governor General of Indochina.

Indochina Towers - Danang

In the early 20th century, Tourane was developed on a European model, which focused on social infrastructure and manufacture technology. Many kinds of economic activity took shape and thrived, such as agricultural production, small-scale industries, export product procesing (tea, food, beverages, ice, alcohol, fish sauce, dried fish), ship building and repair, and services. Together with Hai Phong and Sai Gon, Tourane became an important trading center of the country.

In 1950, French gave the authority over the city to the Bao Dai government. In March 1965, American marine units landed and started to set up a big military complex. The city was defined as a centrally governed city in 1967, and accordingly American troops and the Saigon government built up Danang into a political, military and cultural center of the 1st and 2nd tactical zones. Military bases and such infrastructure as the airport, ports, warehouses, roads, public works, communication stations, and banks were constructed. Industries flourished, resulting in the substitution by industrial zones of handicraft workshops. For example, Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone was used for oxygen, acetylene and detergent production, grind and textiles industries. However, the devastating war made thousands of rural people flee in refugee camps. Urban slums appeared, social evils increased and production came to a standstill.

Basket Boats - Danang Beach

In 1975, after gaining complete independence, Danang (temporarily under Quang Nam – Da Nang Province) began to overcome the war’s severe consequences. Regardless of difficulties, the city’s rehabilitation and development had some results, especially after the renovation in 1986.

On 6 July 1996, the tenth session of the 9th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam passed a Resolution separating Quang Nam – Danang Province into Quang Nam Province and Danang city, which was directly responsible to the central government. The new city of Danang consisted of the previous Danang, Hoa Vang Rural District and Hoang Sa Island District.........Read More

Danang River

Danang River

Hoang Dieu Street, Danang

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Halong Bay Cruises - Quick Reviews and Tips to Get the Best Deals

By Khuc Tan Dung

Quick Reviews for Top Luxury Halong Bay Cruises

Most of the tourists who come to Vietnam mainly visit Halong Bay. This place is honorably recognized as a world natural heritage by UNESCO. Every islands, caves and beaches in Halong is unique beauty. This is a legendary world just waiting to be explored. Visiting Halong Bay on luxury cruises following, you will have unforgettable experience.

1) Paradise Cruise

The finest way to discover the beauty of Halong Bay, we would suggest Paradise Cruise for the ones who's willing to pay little extra, since it really worth it. The rooms are quite nice, with a trendy bathroom, comfy beds, and a private balcony. Paradise Cruise was without question the most beautiful Halong cruise. Lunch and breakfast on the cruise are buffet but dinner is a set meal. You will be provided a good meal, high standard, nicely presented. The staffs were very attentive but did not pester. The activities on board are all included in the cost - We notice that some cruises you had to pay extra for kayaking.

Paradise Cruise as the name suggests offers a gateway to paradise for everyone away from the pressures of daily life and enjoy natural beauty of one of the most enchanting destinations in the world.
Boat features:

Launched in 2008 and 2009, Paradise Cruise has furnished in a cozy colonial style. Precious dark wood, creamy silk, crispy-white linens, sea-blue taffeta creating a cozy and luxuriant atmosphere enhance the warmth and light in each cabin.

Length: 41.5 m; Width: 09 m; Number of cabins: 34.
For more details, please visit website of this cruise: paradisecruises.org.

2) Indochina Sails

Indochina Sails is also the most luxury Halong Bay cruises. The rooms are clean, modern and comfortable, the food is tasty, the staffs are friendly and service is good. Spa on boats and spa retreats are found on Indochina Sails. Summer or winter, Indochina Sails spa vacation is the perfect choice for a relaxing getaway to Halong Bay. You will welcome to make use of binoculars, snorkeling equipment, and top-of-the-line Canadian made Seaward kayaks.

Boat features:

The sails outfitted with elegant Asian inspired decor. The lower deck is devoted to Passenger Cabins, with sleeping space for 30 people. The Reception, Restaurant, the Indochina Sail Bar, Gift Shop and Library are all located on the main deck. On the top deck passengers will find the Sunset Bar and a spacious lounge area, perfect for our morning Tai Chi classes, weekend BBQ and sunset cocktails.

Length: 40 m; Width: 8.5 m; Number of cabins: 14.
For more details, please visit website of this cruise: indochinasails.com.

3) Violet Cruise

Violet Cruise is operated by a Vietnamese company - Cruise Halong, which also operates two other cruise boats, Ginger Cruise and Jasmine Cruise. It's a subject of pride among the crew of the Violet Cruise that not only is she the newest and most luxurious boat on Halong Bay but also the fastest, courtesy of its latest-generation engine. This means, that the Halong Violet reaches Van Gia, a fishing village, half-an-hour before any other boat. Such is the level of competition in Halong Bay.

A two-day, one-night cruise on the Violet Cruise starts from about $620 for a double cabin and includes accommodation, meals and tours. There's an additional charge for the transfer by van or private vehicle to and from Hanoi.

Boat's features:

Halong Violet - fitted out in the 1930's Indochinese style. It featured a boutique dining room, library & lounge, Spa & Gym and 6 individual theme cabins with marble bathroom, Jacuzzi & balcony.

Length: 38 m; Width: 09 m; Number of cabins: 06;
For more details, please visit website of this cruise: indochinasails.com.

Beside the cruises, top luxury Halong Bay cruises includes Emeraude cruise, Ginger cruise, Victory Star cruise, etc...Top-ranked at the moment is for their deco, service and luxury level.

Tips for best cruise deals
Here are some tips that you could get best cruise deals, save money and make your vacation even more special!

The most important step to get best cruise deals in Halong Bay is keeping your itinerary flexibility. If you cruise to Halong Bay in the low season from May to September every year you can save 20-30% off compared with the high season.

Simply search Google with keyword "best deals for halong bay cruises" or "halong bay cruises best deals" you can find some promotion campaigns of travel agents. You should book through them, they usually offer better price than cruise line.

Most travelers usually booked their Halong Bay cruises about two months before the departure. If your departure is flexible, you can wait until the last minutes, about less than two days before the sailing date, you may get great discount if they still have unsold cabins.

A great tip to get best deals for Halong Bay cruises if you have a long trip and your group has about four persons and more, you should find some travel agents in Hanoi and send a request to them and ask them to provide best offer. After one working day, you will receive some quotes from them. And then you just only select the best quote for your trip!

One of travel agents in Vietnam whom provides the best Vietnam travel deals is BestPrice Vietnam.
Visit their website, you can easily find the best deal for Halong Bay cruises.