North and South Vietnam
Our journey begins in the North, in Hanoi, with its idyllic city lakes and serene pagodas and temples, where visitors burn incense to honor their ancestors. At a small restaurant in Hanoi, we stop for bun cha, cool rice noodles served with crisp fried spring rolls, grilled pork patties, sliced red chilies and a lime-laced dipping sauce. Note the profusion of herbs and leafy greens on the side, the ever-present table salad.
