While only the more adventurous foreigners in Vietnam have tried bird’s nest, the slimy specialty, a nest made from bird’s saliva, is considered a delicacy in the country.

Banh tam (silkworm-like rice-flour cake) is a scrumptious, traditional snack from the Mekong Delta that resembles the long, string shape of silkworms, giving the dish its peculiar name.

Enjoying a bowl of hot chao ca (rice porridge with fish) is a must on any trip to the Mekong Delta.

In the past each Vietnamese village would have had its own way of arranging a feast, but there were certain habits that were universal, many of which are still common today.

Boiled rice and pork cakes are usually cooked 2-3 days before Tet. Both can be kept for about two weeks in cool temperature. However, after this time they become hard and must be re-boiled.