Good Morning Vietnam
Vietnam is the latest country to produce a flood of visitors to the blog site - which intrigues me no end.
What do I know about Vietnam?
Not a lot it has to be said - other than what I've seen in films or on the TV - and most of it is viewed through the terrible prism of the Vietnam War.
But I do know something about the cuisine - Pho is the national dish, I seem to recall - a hot, spicy noodle broth which people eat at all times of day - including breakfast.
As far as I know there's not a Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow or Edinburgh - more's the pity - but there are plenty when you travel abroad - in France for example.
The French colonised Vietnam long before America tried to impose its will - and apparently have left behind a love of their famous crusty white bread - among the indigenous population.
So don't be surprised to be offered some - when you order a bowl of Pho.
Vietnamese food is not unlike Chinese cuisine - though more delicate and aromatice in my opinion - with a huge array of choice for vegetarians - where meat is used sparingly but to great effect.
I watched a crazy 'special' episode of Top Gear a while back - in which the old petrolhead Jeremy Clarkson and his two wing men - travelled the length of Vietnam on motorbikes and scooters.
But the programme did justice to the natural beauty of the country - and the courage of its people.
Who at long last are at peace after decades of war - I wish them well.
What do I know about Vietnam?
Not a lot it has to be said - other than what I've seen in films or on the TV - and most of it is viewed through the terrible prism of the Vietnam War.
But I do know something about the cuisine - Pho is the national dish, I seem to recall - a hot, spicy noodle broth which people eat at all times of day - including breakfast.
As far as I know there's not a Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow or Edinburgh - more's the pity - but there are plenty when you travel abroad - in France for example.
The French colonised Vietnam long before America tried to impose its will - and apparently have left behind a love of their famous crusty white bread - among the indigenous population.
So don't be surprised to be offered some - when you order a bowl of Pho.
Vietnamese food is not unlike Chinese cuisine - though more delicate and aromatice in my opinion - with a huge array of choice for vegetarians - where meat is used sparingly but to great effect.
I watched a crazy 'special' episode of Top Gear a while back - in which the old petrolhead Jeremy Clarkson and his two wing men - travelled the length of Vietnam on motorbikes and scooters.
But the programme did justice to the natural beauty of the country - and the courage of its people.
Who at long last are at peace after decades of war - I wish them well.
