Backpacker Making Nam Nem Salad by Himself at a Hotel in Ha Tinh, Vietnam

Backpacker Making Nam Nem Salad by Himself at a Hotel in Ha Tinh, Vietnam

This trip of mine, mr.hotsia, takes you deep into the lifestyle of backpackers in a small town like Ha Tinh, Vietnam. It is not a major or famous tourist city like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, but it has its own unique charm. Besides seeing the simple life of the locals, the most memorable moment was the day I sat down to make and eat nam nem salad by myself in a small hotel here. This experience rarely happens on my trips.

Ha Tinh is not as well-known as other provinces in Vietnam, but its simplicity and tranquility are what I really appreciate. The hotel I stayed at was a small one, resembling a typical guesthouse, with affordable rooms suitable for budget travelers like me. Most importantly, the hotel owner was kind and very helpful with food and dining.

That day, I decided to make nam nem salad myself because I wanted to try the authentic spicy Vietnamese flavor I had seen in the market, using fresh ingredients bought from a market near the hotel. The nam nem I bought was minced pork fermented with unique Vietnamese spices, giving it a pleasantly sour aroma.

Making nam nem salad in the small hotel room on the polished wooden bed was quite a challenge. The ingredients I brought were simple: fresh chili, lime, fish sauce, sugar, and shallots, mixed with the nam nem cut into small pieces and tossed together perfectly. The aroma of the seasonings combined with the sour and spicy taste of the salad wonderfully completed the quiet night in Ha Tinh.

I admit that eating nam nem salad I made myself in such a small hotel gave me a feeling of truly experiencing the local life, not just typical tourism that is often overly polished, like what I have encountered inLang Son Provincewhich has the charm of a mountain town and local dishes like roast duck, or watching daily life in the fresh market not far from the hotel.

After finishing the nam nem salad, I had the chance to talk with the hotel owner and other backpacker tourists visiting Ha Tinh. Many had interesting stories about traveling in northern Vietnam. Like me, they enjoyed trying local food and learning about culture through food and fresh markets.

For those planning to visit Ha Tinh, I recommend exploring the morning market near the hotel. There you will see fresh nam nem, fresh vegetables, and spices used in authentic Vietnamese cooking, as well as have the chance to chat with vendors to get tips on cooking like the locals.

Besides Ha Tinh, if anyone is interested in exploring other provinces in Vietnam with fascinating stories and lifestyles, I recommend my article aboutLang Son Provincewhere I stayed at Hoang Son Hotel in the city center, easy walking to the market and nearby lake, or visitingNha Trang Seawhich has beautiful beaches and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for relaxing after a long day of travel.

For traveling in northern Vietnam, I have used the services ofVinh Long Bus Stationwhich is a key point for connecting to various provinces and also convenient for traveling to neighboring countries. If you are planning a big trip in Vietnam, using these public transport services will help save budget and enhance your backpacking experience.

Finally, if anyone is interested in following the travel experiences I, mr.hotsia, film and narrate closely about real life in Ha Tinh, you can watch the videoBackpacker Making Nam Nem Salad by Himself at a Hotel in Ha Tinh, VietnamThis video will give you a clearer picture of the atmosphere and flavors I describe in this article.

My journey, mr.hotsia, did not end just with eating nam nem salad in a small hotel, but was the beginning of learning about the different lifestyles and cultures in northern Vietnam, where the simplicity and sincerity of the people made me feel like I was coming home again.