After a period of traveling and experiencing Vietnam, Mr. James Booth, a tourist from the “land of kangaroos” said that “Australians almost only know famous Vietnamese attractions such as Ha Long Bay. , Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, without knowing that the people here have great life skills that are worth learning.”
Driving skills
Coming from the state of Tasmania, one of the prosperous regions of Australia, Mr. James said that in Sydney city, when drivers drive and honk, it means “they are angry with someone”. For him, this is a toxic siren call because it is accompanied by anger.
Traffic scene on the street in Hanoi (Photo: James Booth).
But in Vietnam, when participating in traffic, the Australian visitor realized that Vietnamese people drove and honked their horns not because they were angry. It’s simply the driver’s way of announcing to the surroundings that “I’m here” or “give way to me”.
“Australians sometimes say clichés like there are no rules on the road in Southeast Asia” and act as if their country’s transport system is better. But I think that foreign tourists can learn how to drive like in Vietnam. This helps you know how to observe your surroundings better,” he said.
How to create dishes
James said that from childhood to adulthood, he was only used to eating the meat from chicken breasts. He used to think he would be “nauseated” if he had to eat chicken feet. But when he came to Vietnam, he suddenly discovered that this dish was “not as bad as I imagined”.
“This is a small example of how Vietnamese people cook more creatively than Australians. They know how to take advantage of things that few people seem to eat – chicken feet – to create strange dishes,” he commented. .
Some other dishes in Vietnam also impressed James. He never thought that these foods could still be processed into delicious dishes such as eel, fish intestines, sea snails or pig ears.
The Australian guest also appreciated how Vietnamese people have the habit of buying fresh food in traditional markets rather than choosing frozen foods in supermarkets. Food prices at the market are often cheaper than in supermarkets.
During this trip to Vietnam, James ate three full meals a day because he found the “food fresh and delicious.” After the trip, he felt even better.
How Vietnamese people take a nap
James said that while Australians often complain about business class seats on airplanes not being able to lie down comfortably, Vietnamese people seem to be more adaptable. He realized that Vietnamese people can lie down and rest anywhere for convenience with a short afternoon nap.
He has witnessed drivers of technology vehicles taking a nap right on the seat of their motorbike or temporarily lying on outdoor benches. And in Phu Quoc, he saw hammocks appearing everywhere for tourists to take a nap. This made him quite impressed.
Start your day with egg coffee
When enjoying the famous egg coffee in Hanoi, the Australian guest was so surprised that he exclaimed “forget the habit of drinking coffee with a little butter in the morning and try delicious coffee in Vietnam.” how”.
James describes a drink made from black coffee mixed with condensed milk and whipped egg yolks. Even though the ingredients are not sophisticated, it created a delicious drink for him, helping to start the day more refreshingly.
