Vietnam - Getting Educated

They say, “a secret’s only a secret once you’ve told someone.” I have a confession to make: Jip, I have a crush on Luke Nguyen. I’d record his cooking programs, and he filled my disc space, which was awkward to explain. When we decided to visit Vietnam, I rushed to the nearest bookstore, Exclusive Books, and bought his “The Food of Vietnam”; he slept next to me for days. We have so much in common; our itineraries are virtually alike.

I love his recommendations; he points out good eateries, street food, and aunties who make the best sweets and rice paper sheets. He also advises on who makes the best street food in the cities he visited. How I’m going to find them is another story, of course! We’ve made reservations on the same Junk he used (same company).

Soon, I’ll be breathing the same air and walking in his footprints. Bliss! I love the book; it has great recipes, is well written, and features gorgeous photographs. If you’re into Vietnamese cooking, this is the one to have.

Globetrotter’s "Vietnam" and "Lonely Planet’s Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia" were the first guidebooks I bought. They were both informative, and I could get a picture of our route, but I do think they’re better suited to a younger backpacking crowd who are adventurous and don’t mind roughing it. The Lonely Planet does have a very good detachable map, which we’ll take along.

Eyewitness's "Vietnam and Angkor Wat" is my preferred travel guide. I have a designated spot for my Eyewitness collection on the bookshelf; I gaze at them adoringly almost every day as I relive past holidays. I’m also quite impressed with all the places I’ve visited. A friend recommended “Catfish and Mandala”; it’s in my backpack, and I’ll be reading it on the train to Sapa.

Eyewitness: Vietnam and Angkor Wat

Richard Sterling's "Eyewitness Travel Guide: Vietnam & Angkor Wat" is your must-have companion to this beautiful part of the world. Vietnam opened its doors to tourists in the late 1980s, and its appeal has grown ever since.

Blessed with a long coastline, the country now attracts sun-lovers and surfers, with resorts and spas sprouting along the coast.

This full-colour, updated guide leads readers to it all, from the floating markets of the Mekong Delta in the south to the hill towns in the north, and to all the best beaches in between. A full chapter is dedicated to Angkor in neighbouring Cambodia, with the astounding temples illustrated in detail.

Whether zipping around old Hanoi in a pedal-powered cyclo or dining on the exquisite local cuisine, the "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Vietnam & Angkor Wat" is indispensable.
Highlights of the guide include full-colour photographs, illustrations, and maps; cutaways and floor plans of all the major sights; 3-D aerial views of the city's most interesting districts; and a comprehensive selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues.

Specially devised walking tours and so much more.

"DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Vietnam & Angkor Wat" -- showing you what others only tell you.

Once one has the books, one needs to watch the movies too, so of course I did “Indochine,” with its beautiful photography and Halong Bay, where we do the Junk trip. I’ll be in a red traditional Vietnamese dress and pants, with a silk chiffon scarf, in a week or so, gazing into the sunset on a Junk.  

The other movies I watched were “Good Morning, Vietnam,” which I cried through, remembering our Robin Williams, his kind eyes, and the sweetest smile. Apocalypse Now has achieved cult status, I’m sure, and was well worth a second viewing. I curled up next to my beloved, draped my huge Indian silk pashmina over us, sipped red wine, and loved “Three Seasons,” a love story. The mood has been set, and we’re almost winging our way there.

P.S. Should you know Luke, tell him he’ll always be welcome in my kitchen. There’s a hook for his apron and a willing kitchenhand (I don’t look so good without my apron, but I’m willing to make a sacrifice)! I have romantic music to set the mood, and lots of Cape wines and Champagne. We don't make shabby beer here, either!