Vietnam City Voted the Best in the World

         Colorful buildings belonging to former wealthy merchants & traders dot Hoi An's waterside

If there is one spot in Vietnam that has dazzled the greatest number of Wine-Knows travelers during out past four trips, it is the ancient riverside city of Hoi An.  An exceptionally well-preserved trading port dating from the 1500's, magical Hoi An is now a United Nations World Heritage Site (UNESCO).  It’s no wonder why readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine voted Hoi An the best city in the world.

    Hoi An is a shopper's dream boasting shops that can make a custom dress or a man's suit in 24 hrs

Hoi An is ridiculously photogenic.   Boasting grand architecture of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese merchants and traders, this colorful waterside town offers a beguiling atmosphere of grace and history.  Once a major port for trading, the ancient city is a labyrinth of former merchant shops, pagodas and vibrantly colored streets decorated with hanging silk lanterns in a rainbow of colors.   

                    Silk fabric abounds in the city in the form of lanterns & items of clothing

The city’s UNESCO status has allowed it to keep much of its jewel-box atmosphere, and 21^st century curses such as traffic and pollution are nearly absent.  No cars are allowed in the historical center of the town, however, rickshaws abound and day trippers from tour large buses parked outside the city are often transported in this centuries-old method.

         Wine-Knows learned how to make Hoi An's version of a shrimp "tamale" on our last trip

Located on Vietnam's 2,000 mile long coast midway between Saigon and Hanoi, this ancient merchant’s port is nothing like Vietnam’s largest two cities.  In contrast, Hoi An is small and has a provincial feel.  Its multi-cultural history from a plethora of Asian traders makes for a unique cultural experience, including a fusion cuisine.  Wine-Knows will experience Hoi An's at two distinct foodie experiences.  The first will be at one of Vietnam's top culinary schools when we'll visit the city's central market to procure items for an upmarket cooking class & lunch.  The other will be at Anthony Bourdain's favorite restaurant.  

              Hoi An is even more charming at night when the river becomes a sea of floating candles

At this time there are 3-4 remaining spaces on our February 2026 trip, perfectly time for the beginning of the Asian New Year.  Why not come and experience the magic of the world's most beautiful city in addition to the other must-see spots in Vietnam?

Itinerary vietnam – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)

Vietnam: the World’s Healthiest Cuisine?

                Vegetables are the star of every Vietnamese meal & very little red meat is used

I’m already salivating at the thought of Wine-Knows’ fourth trip to Vietnam (February 2026).  While Vietnam does make wine due to its historical roots as a French colony, it’s the nation’s food that pulls at the culinary strings of my heart.   I love everything about their gastronomy, but most of all I’m hooked on how nutritious the cuisine is.

Traditional Vietnamese cooking is well known for its fresh ingredients, along with its minimal use of dairy, red meat, and oil.   With nearly a 2,000 mile coastline, fish is a common ingredient in the diet.  There’s also a huge reliance on herbs and vegetables.  Because of this, many believe that Vietnam’s cuisine may be one of the healthiest diets on the planet.

Below are three main reasons why the Vietnamese diet is one of the healthiest on the planet:

1.  Antioxidant fresh herbs

    Fresh herbs accompany many classical dishes such as Pho soup & egg/spring rolls

Many Vietnamese dishes are accompanied by a large platter of fresh herbs like cilantro, basil & mint.  Lettuce leaves serve as a wrap for many items (like a burrito) and the herbs are placed inside the wrap along with fish, eggroll, or whatever is being served.  Herbs have been used throughout history as a medicine.  We know today that they exert an antioxidant influence and contain essential oils, vitamins, and other important substances that help protect our bodies against infection, as well as boost our immunity systems.

2.     Mind-boggling array of nutritious fruit

Vietnam is located in a tropical zone with long hours of warm sunshine, as well as humidity---both of which create nirvana when it comes to fruit.  Not only is there a tremendous assortment, but the Vietnamese pick their fruit ripe.  This has a big influence on why every fruit tastes so better in Vietnam.  It’s no wonder that people from China drive hours by car (or ride the bus) to the Vietnamese border to stock up on these extraordinary fruits.

Tropical fruits have long been known for their promotion of health.  High in essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fiber, they are a staple in the Vietnamese diet.  Fruits are served raw, juiced, used in salads, mixed with main courses and are served in desserts.

A jackfruit vendor displays the gigantic fruit alongside of ready-to-eat fruit

In fact, one of my favorite fruits from any country is Vietnamese.  While we don’t grow it in the US, due to the vast Vietnamese population in California the fruit is now being imported.  Called jackfruit, if you don’t know it, you should!  This fruit is a party in your mouth.  Offering a mélange of big-time tropical flavors, it tastes somewhere between a pineapple, a banana and a cherimoya (another tropical fruit found in many countries including Vietnam). 

Jackfruit is definitely a love-at-first bite kind of fruit.  It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber and protein.  While it does contain some fat, it’s not the bad saturated fat that leads to cholesterol buildup in our arteries.

3.     Very little saturated fat

          This feast for Wine-Knows' eyes had minimal fat & was chocked full of healthy flavors 

Unlike Americans, the Vietnamese eat very little saturated fat.  While beef and pork are used, they are used in small portions---abundant vegetables and fruits are mixed with the proteins.  Fish and seafood are used, as is tofu---all appear in concert with vegetables and/or fruits.

Enrollment on the February 2026 only has 3-4 remaining spaces.  Prices will be coming in January 2025, and the itinerary is already posted on our website.   Come experience this healthy way of eating with Wine-Knows!

 

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