Donal Skehan, a well-known Irish chef, has a new television show called Follow Donal to Vietnam, featuring Sophie Castle, which offers viewers an interactive and immersive journey to the nation of Vietnam. On this five-part series, Donal explores Vietnam while experiencing the culture and cooking up mouth-watering Vietnamese dishes.
The show is chock-full of interesting locales and must-visit attractions in Vietnam. Viewers will get a glimpse of the daily lives of the people in this fascinating country. Starting in North Vietnam, Donal embarks on a food tour, kicks-off a motorcycle ride, and visits the traditional heart of Hanoi. The viewers witness the iconic sites of Hanoi, including the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter, that Danal compares to âstepping back in history.â
From Hanoi, Donal makes his way to Sapa, where he embarks on an adventure in the wilderness, away from the bustling city. Here he gets a chance to explore Vietnam's vast mountain ranges and learn about the culture and traditions of the Hmong ethnic minority. The viewers get to see the famous rice terraces and indulge in vibrant and delicious food.
The second episode enlightens the viewers on the middle region of Vietnam, where Donal embarks on a street-food tour of Hoi An. In this ancient city, he samples Banh Mi, fishcakes and noodles, and other local delicacies. Viewers get a glimpse of the lifestyle of locals, who have managed to preserve their city.
Donal goes on to visit the Cham Islands, where he snorkeled off the coast and tasted fresh seafood with the locals. A boat tour on the Thu Bon river shows the city's captivating view and the livelihood of the fisherman. Donal even attends a cooking school where he learns how to make spring rolls and other regional specialties.
In the third episode, Donal explores southern Vietnam at Ho Chi Minh City -formerly Saigon, where he indulges in classical foods such as banh xeo, banh khot, and bun thit nuong. His curiosity leads him to the street food markets, where he gets to cook alongside local street vendors. There are street-side barbecues, sweet treats and even some traditional cocktails.
Next, he ventures on to the Cu Chi tunnels, a symbolic treasure trove of Vietnam's history. He explains how these tunnels were used during the Vietnam War and how they were essential to the country's victory. There is an intriguing tour of the underground tunnels that the soldiers used, which symbolizes their bravery and intelligence. Donal gets to observe the making of the Banh Pia cake, a traditional snack throughout Vietnam.
In the fourth episode, the journey continues to Tra Vinh, where he discovers how the Khmer people in Vietnam live. Tra Vinh is a part of the Mekong Delta, which produces a massive amount of rice and seafood for the country. Donal enjoys an authentic home-cooked meal and learns about traditional crafts like weaving at a local market. The show also has a segment on making Vietnamese coffee and the process of roasting coffee beans.
All through his trip, Donalâs love for food, people, and culture has been the catalyst that has brought viewers along for the ride. The fifth and final episode brings Donal back to Ho Chi Minh City and showcases the modern side of this vibrant city. He visits a growing craft beer scene in Vietnam, tries his hand at cocktail shaking, and soaks up the city's amazing atmosphere. He meets with a local chef to sample fusion cuisine that blends the best elements of Vietnamese flavors with western cooking techniques, which served as an interesting contrast.
To sum it up, Follow Donal to Vietnam is a five-part series that brings a new and admirable perspective of Vietnam to the audience. It provides a glimpse of the country's past and how it has adapted to the present while keeping its traditions and culture intact. Adventure, history, culture, food, and immersive local experiences are the crux of the show, making it a must-watch.
