In the northeastern province of Udon Thani Province, there’s a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine, prepared by Thais of Vietnamese descents.
These dishes are gaining a reputation as the first Vietnamese street food hub in Thailand.
Udon Thani is known for its cultural diversity, with communities like the Sri Suk Soi 2 neighborhood being home to Thais of Vietnamese descents. Here, the culinary identity of the community shines brightly.
Jantima Likakitjatorn, a seller of Vietnamese-style crepes shared the delicious legend passed down through generations.
She said her great-grand father had told her the Vietnamese crepe was traditionally prepared on the 5th of May as an offering to ancestors, a tradition that may date back over 100 years.
The dish consists of ground bamboo shoots, minced pork, dried shrimp, mixed with rice flour, chicken eggs, and coconut milk. Once cooked, it has a crispy golden exterior and a soft, tender inside, served with a special dipping sauce.
Buppha Rungsawang, a public relations officer at the Vietnamese Community Office in Udon Thani Province said over 99% of residents in the alley of Vietnamese descent, mostly business owners like white pork sausage factory owners and bakeries. Inspired by their heritage, they initiated the idea of establishing Thailand’s first Vietnamese street food hub.
Thai-Vietnamese residents in this neighborhood collaborate to create authentic dishes passed down through generations, allowing locals and visitors from nearby provinces to enjoy Vietnamese delicacies without traveling to Vietnam.
These include Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepe), Banh Cuon (Vietnamese rice rolls), Vietnamese-style pizza, freshly baked Vietnamese bread, minced pork wrapped in betel leaves, fried eggs, Vietnamese coffee, and many more.
Additionally, tourists can dress up in Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) or national Vietnamese attire offered for taking photos free of charge. Three-dimensional wall art is also available at the office area.
Busaraporn Klangprom, who lives in Udon Thani expressed excitement and satisfaction, likening the atmosphere to Vietnam, as she has visited Vietnam several times before. She recommends friends to visit the Vietnam Town here in Udon Thani, and what impressed her the most was the wide variety of food available.
The Vietnam Town is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until food runs out. Currently, it attracts not only locals from Udon Thani Province and nearby provinces but also a significant number of foreign tourists.
This initiative is seen as part of the efforts to boost tourism revenue for the province. The Udon Thani Tourism Authority office reported that from January to February this year, tourism income exceeded 2 billion baht. (TNA)
