The food: Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls with Chili Dipping Sauce and Fresh Garden Salad

Where to find it: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

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You sail in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. Standing at the bow of a cruising junk boat, sea fog swirls and unfolds before you. But the vessel cruises blindly forward. Each approaching fathom bodes a splintering, potential doom as the waters you wade hold obstacles more unyielding than icebergs. Yet, you and your crew creep forward knowing you’ll reach treasures ahead.

Finally, the fog draws open. Like curtains parting to reveal a solo Yo-Yo Ma, you find poetic grandeur orchestrated with ultimate tranquility. Thousands of natural, limestone towers soar out of the placid waters below you. Despite the foreboding splendor of Ha Long Bay’s karsts, the scene composes something delicate and peaceful.

Like these karsts, Vietnam might wield a mysterious and epic power, but a serene calm hums across the country.

The Vietnamese harness that calm, wrap it tightly and serve it in their fresh spring rolls. With delicate rice paper wrappers, a chef folds sprigs of mint, Thai basil and cilantro amongst sliced carrots, cucumber and shrimp. If prepared properly, the first bite springs open a bounty of crisp delights. Imagine yourself back on the boat taking in that brisk, yet satisfying sea breeze. That’s how you should feel when you taste a fresh Vietnamese spring roll. With each bite a drop of dew rolls down a rice paddy leaf or a far-off gong tolls at a pagoda. You hear and taste peaceful pianissimo in an otherwise fortissimo land.

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¹ JOB OPPORTUNITY: The above pictures come straight out of another scene from my travel & food web series I’m filming in Asia. Longa Travels Productions is currently seeking (documentary/trailer) editors for post-production. If you’re interested in learning more, then please send an email to [email protected].