Posted November 29, 2011 by Ryan Huling
We’ve all heard it. Friends or family members saying, “I would love to go vegan, but it’s just SO hard to do in [insert city/country].” Yawn.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not convinced that animals care whether they’re being killed for food in Alaska or on the island of Zanzibar—they don’t want to die anywhere. That’s why I don’t change my ethical beliefs based on where I happen to be in the world.
Enter my latest trip, traveling north to south in Vietnam. In a country perhaps best known for guerrilla warfare and having dogs smuggled across its borders to be sold in the local meat trade, if ever there were a place to put up the white flag, maybe this would be it.
But, boy, am I glad I didn’t. Otherwise I may have missed out on the extraordinary range of vegan options that I discovered in this historic Southeast Asian country. I’m talkin’ about veggie versions of pho (traditional rice noodle soup—the national dish), banh mi (baguette sandwiches, stuffed with tofu, cilantro, jalapeños, and veggies), and more exotic fruits than you can shake a stick at, including dragon fruit, jackfruit, and durian.
Getting hungry but not able to travel 10,000 miles away? Well, you’re in luck because vegan versions of pho, banh mi, and spring rolls are also widely available here in the West. Check around at local Vietnamese restaurants in your area (here’s a listing for many major cities) to see what they can offer. Homemade vegan Vietnamese recipes can also be found online here.
Chúc m?i ng??i ?n ngon mi?ng! Enjoy!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
536 days ago
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* i meant should
536 days ago
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Maybe China and Japan,lean towards vegan ism.In Japan they are literally eating the Blue fin Tuna to extinction.
538 days ago
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Woah! That’s awesome
539 days ago
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Why does “Vegan in Vietnam” sound like a song title?
539 days ago
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I really want some foraign fruit now!
539 days ago
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cool! i want to travel all over and eat lots of vegan food!
539 days ago
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If you can be vegan in vietnam, you can be vegan anywhere. (However, the only animal not eaten in Cambodia is vultures)