VietExplorer2023

Drita Ziri, 18, an Albanian television host and model, became the first Albanian to win the prestigious Miss Earth title. The young girl, standing at 1.70 metres tall with body measurements of 85-62-99 cm, previously won the Miss Earth Albania 2023 and was the second runner-up at Miss Globe 2022. The pageant also awarded several titles to other contestants, including Yllana Aduana of the Philippines, who was crowned Miss Earth Air, Do Thi Lan Anh of Vietnam, who received the title of Miss Earth Water, and Cora Bliault of Thailand, who was named Miss Earth Fire. The Vietnamese beauty, Lan Anh, was also honored with the Best Appearance award and won the Best National Costume sub-title. Lan Anh, 26, currently resides in the United States and stands at 1.71 meters tall with body measurements of 85-60-95 cm. She left her hometown at the age of one to move to Europe before settling down in the US with her family. She was crowned Miss Earth Vietnam...

Green beans used to make the sweet filling of Nep cake. Photo: Hong Ngoc Just like how banh chung is the soul of Tet (Luner new year), banh nep (sticky rice cake) is a prime traditional food of Tet Doan Ngo, besides fermented glutinous rice, fruits with sour taste such as lychee or plum. Tet Doan Ngo , also called Duanwu Festival, Worm-killing Day or Mid-year Festival, is a traditional festival held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in the year. This festival is also popular in China and Korea. In Vietnam, Tet Doan Ngo is also known as “Tet sau bo” (insects killing festival). Farmers on this day get rid of all pests to start growing their crops for the new season. Tet Doan Ngo is also an occasion when the Vietnamese people show their gratitude to others. Nep cake is a traditional dish that preserves the cultural identity of Hanoi people. However, over time, Ha Noi’s famous Nep cake cake was gradually lost, only very few places to make and sell it properly. Ther...

Being found literally everywhere in Vietnam and in Vietnamese enclaves around the world, banh mi or Vietnamese-style baguette had been a street specialty long before street food became an obsession. The Hanoi Times looks for the value of the Vietnamese specialty on a global scale. A wonderful flavor from Vietnam The baguette arrived in Vietnam during French colonialism, and nowadays it is one of the few happy legacies from the time. According to local food experts, the crusty bread, its condiments, and stuffings are all a legacy of French colonialism, while cilantro, chili, and pickles reflect the Vietnamese taste for fresh vegetables and lively flavors. The simple yet yummy delicacy with a variety of versions is very popular, equivalent to Pho or Vietnamese traditional noodle soup. The “classic” banh mi appeared a dozen decades ago and though many have brainstormed a better baguette version, the original still stands strong. Fillings include roast pork, grilled chicken, or b...