Must-try local snacks when traveling to Vietnam

There are many snacks and street foods in Vietnam for your trip. Trying the food from vendors and eating them when sitting down on the street are the great experiences when coming to Vietnam. Let’s find them and then fill in your stomach with those wonderful dishes.

Durian crepe

There are many kinds of pancakes in Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. These pancakes include Banh Xeo (from Mekong Delta), Banh Khot (from Vung Tau) and Banh Can (from Ninh Thuan). They should be eaten right after cook so their flavors and textures still remain unchanged. On the other hand, durian crepes are made and then kept in the refrigerator to make sure they will be fresh to eat and ready to serve in the hot weather.

Durian crepe is not crispy and crunchy compared to hot pancakes, it is a soft and creamy cake with a bit of sweet taste. If you are durian lovers, durian crepe is for you.

Mixed rice paper

This is a favorite junk food of teenager even adults. They tend to enjoy the banh trang tron at vendor stores with friends and gossip after working or studying time.

There are normally 10 ingredients which are rice paper, dry beef, dry shrimp, dry squid, mango, quail eggs, herb, shrimp salt, peanut and chili oil. It is easy to find at some places nearby schools and parks.

Banh da xuc hen

Banh da xuc hen is a delicious snack made from crisped rice paper covering a dish of small clams fried in lemongrass, coriander, chili, onions, and garlic. The dish is simple, but the taste is complex, and is profoundly different to any other street food in Vietnam. The dish also comes in a heavier version known as banh da com hen, which includes rice and clam broth for those who are especially hungry.

Grilled chestnuts

Grilled chestnuts are not the specialty of Ha Noi but they are sold on many streets in Hanoi particularly when it's cold. Though it is named grilled chestnuts, they are roasted - not grilled. Some places also add honey to create a unique and vibrant taste. A pack will cost you around VND 10,000 (50 cents).

Tofu with coconut milk 

Tofu is well-known for its widely used ingredient in Asian cuisine. It appears in many savory dishes in Vietnamese table, however, they do use tofu for dessert.

Tofu in dessert is soft tofu with white color due to a different technique in preparing the soya beans. It serves with ginger sauce and coconut milk. With the authentic Tao Pho, you should taste the sweetness, richness from coconut milk, feel the warmth from ginger in your stomach and softness of tofu in your mouth.

Banh trang nuong

Demonstrating the myriad of culinary ideas that have been applied to the humble rice grain, banh trang nuong is the result of grilling rice paper, creating something akin to an incredibly crisp pancake. A convenient snack for a street market stroll, expect to find a fried filling of spring onions, minced pork, dried shrimps and shallots, liberally squirted with sweet soy sauce and sriracha.

Read more: Facts you may not know about Vietnamese cuisine

Source Internet

7 amazing Jain temples in India

Jainism is a religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. The purpose of life according to Jainism is to undo the negative effects of karma through mental and physical purification. This process leads to liberation accompanied by a great natural inner peace.

There are as many as 4.2 million Jain followers in India and about 6 to 12 million worldwide. A Jain temple is called Derasar or Mandir depending on where in India it is located. They are usually built from marble stone as demonstrated by this list of amazing Jain temples in India.

1. Lal Mandir

Located just opposite the massive Red Fort, the Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest and best known Jain temple in Delhi. Originally built in 1526, the temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past and was enlarged in the early 19th century. The imposing red sandstone temple is also known as Lal Mandir.

2. Sonagiri

The small town of Sonagiri (literally, the golden peak) is situated on a hill in central India. Several spotless white Jain temples are scattered around Sonagiri. Both pilgrims and tourists are required to climb the 300 steps to the top bare-footed. Once at the top, travelers can marvel at the view of countless white temples and chhatris whichever way you look.

3. Khajuraho Jain Temples

The village of Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It’s numerous Hindu and Jain temples are famous for their erotic sculpture. The temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150. During the Chandella rule, Khajuraho was home to a large and flourishing Jain community. The Jains apparently lived on the east side of town and a number of Jain temples have survived in this part of Khajuraho. Two of the large temples still stand in a good state of preservation.

4. Gomateshwara Temple

The monolithic statue of Gomateshwara stands on a hill in the city of Shravanabelagola. Gomateshwara was the second son of Lord Adinatha, the first of the 24 Tirthankara (enlightened human). The 17.38 meter (58 ft) high monolithic stone statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga Kingdom. Once in 12 years the Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held and the statue of Gomateshwara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.

5. Dilwara Temples

Located near Mount Abu (Rajasthan’s only hill station), the Dilwara temples are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply amazing. There are 5 Jain temples here, each with its own unique identity and named after the small village in which it is located. All the temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty between the 11th and 13th centuries.

6. Palitana

The city of Palitana is a major pilgrimage center for Jains. The temples of Palitana are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place in Jainism. There are hundreds of Jain temples located on the sacred Mount Shatrunjaya, exquisitely carved in marble. They were built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The top is reached by climbing 3,572 steps, a heavy 2 hour accent.

Read more: Top amazing cities you should visit in India

7. Ranakpur Temple

Dedicated to Adinatha, the Jain Temple in Ranakpur rises majestically from the slope of a hill. The temple is supported by over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara’s conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos. The dating of this temple is controversial but it was probably built between the late 14th and mid-15th centuries.

Source touropia

Small tips to prepare before visiting China

As a foreigner, you won’t be expected to know all the rules, but in order to be as prepared as you can before your trip (and impress some locals along the way!) read over these four rules of etiquette in China and we promise you won’t go wrong.

1. Gift-giving: Don’t go empty-handed

Chinese people love gifts. Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese society and you should expect to have a gift with you whenever thanking someone for their hospitality.

DO: Bring small items from your home country that you can give to your tour guide, schools you might visit, or dinner hosts. Foreign candies or souvenirs are always appreciated.

DON’T: If you receive a gift, try to avoid opening it in front of your gift-giver. Unless they insist, thank them and put it away.

2. Eating: Honour your host

Eating is at the center of Chinese culture, and you are certain to have several delicious meals during your trip.

DO: Everything about eating involves honoring your host. As the host will pay for the meal (don’t expect any bill-splitting in China), show your respect by waiting for them to start eating and leaving food on the serving dishes for them to finish.

DON’T: Most Chinese restaurants will not have forks and knives, so you will get quite good at using chopsticks during your trip. When you are done using them, make sure not to stick them into your bowl of rice, as this symbolizes death. Rest them on the table during your meal and on your bowl when you are finished eating.

3. Conversation: Personal, not political

If you really want to immerse yourself in local life, you can’t shy away from conversations with strangers. But be careful because the dialogue might go a little differently than you might expect.

DO: Expect to be asked lots of personal questions that you might not be used to receiving in your home country. People will not hesitate to ask about your age, income, or why you are not married yet. It’s ok not to answer questions you are uncomfortable with, but don’t get offended if someone asks why you are an unmarried adult over 25!

DON’T: Avoid touchy subjects about Chinese politics. Chinese people will get offended if you appear to say anything negative about China and will take it as a personal affront. Try to steer clear of discussing North Korea, Taiwan, or the South China Sea.

4. Religious sites: Read the rules

China is less strict than other Asian countries about their temple etiquette, but there are still some behaviors to avoid. Whether you are visiting a Confucius temple like Qufu Temple in Shandong province or strolling through a Buddhist temple like Lama Temple in Beijing, it is best to err on the side of caution.

DO: Try to see what other people are doing. For instance, not every temple requires you to take off your shoes, but if you see a pile by the door, you should copy the crowd.

DON’T: Take photos inside any buildings. You can take them outside in the courtyards.

See more: How do Chinese people greet each other?

Source: Internet