Saigon bread has reached new heights.

"More than just a dish, Saigon bread is a quintessential representation of the character of the people of Ho Chi Minh City: generous, open-minded, embracing new things but not assimilated," said Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

On March 24th, for the first time, the image of a Vietnamese baguette appeared as a Google Doodle in 12 countries around the world . On this occasion, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism also launched the "I Love Saigon Banh Mi" campaign to promote this familiar Vietnamese dish, which is equally appealing to international tourists.

Saigon-style banh mi is very distinctive, with fillings including meat, sausage, butter, pate, and various vegetables and spices... Photo: HOANG TRIEU

A unique "symphony"

Every afternoon, Mrs. Ngoc Nga and her granddaughter (residents of Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City) wait in front of their apartment building for the street vendor's bread cart to pass by. She's maintained this habit for the past two years, ever since she moved from her hometown to Ho Chi Minh City to care for her granddaughter.

"Hot bread here, hot, crispy bread here...", the familiar sound of the loudspeaker blaring from the bread cart selling loaves for just 5,000 dong each, piping hot and ready to eat, has become a favorite not only for me but also for many grandparents looking after their grandchildren in this apartment building. It's become so regular that my daughter, when she comes home in the afternoon and doesn't see bread on the table, asks, "Mom, didn't you buy bread today?" - Mrs. Nga recounted.

Banh mi, originally introduced to Vietnam several centuries ago, has now become one of the most iconic dishes, evoking memories of Vietnam in general and Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

Originally a sandwich served with sauces, butter, pâté, etc., the Vietnamese version of bánh mì has been adapted into a bread with various fillings and a wide range of spices and herbs, creating a unique culinary experience deeply rooted in local traditions. As Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky, President of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association, put it, enjoying bánh mì is like enjoying a symphony where the baker, through creativity, acts like a conductor, crafting sandwiches with diverse flavors. That is art!

From budget-friendly eateries to 5-star hotels

And that art has captivated almost everyone, from ordinary laborers to intellectuals and even domestic tourists and friends from all over the world. Mr. Nguyen Huy Tung (from Hanoi) said that every time he travels to Ho Chi Minh City for tourism or business, he always makes sure to eat a Hong Hoa banh mi (Nguyen Van Trang Street, District 1). Mr. Tung said he is addicted to the pate there, which is sweet and rich, combined with pickled vegetables, herbs, chili peppers, and various meats, creating a very satisfying and filling feeling. "Saigon banh mi gives me a completely different Southern flavor compared to Hanoi. Although it's the same crust, the same filling of shumai, roasted pork, pate... but it encapsulates the culinary culture, the love, and the sincerity of the people of Saigon," Mr. Tung expressed.

Mr. Dang Hai Van, owner of Hong Hoa bread shop, said that not only locals but also tourists, especially foreigners, love the bread here. They often prefer mixed sandwiches with butter, pate, cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage, char siu pork, etc. During peak tourist season, the shop is always packed with customers waiting in line. Currently, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, the number of foreign tourists has decreased. However, daily sales remain stable thanks to the development of online sales and home delivery.

In response to the "I Love Saigon Bread" campaign, Hong Hoa bakery launched a giant 1kg baguette measuring 70cm x 40cm. Priced at 40,000 VND per loaf, Mr. Van said the bakery produces 10-20 loaves daily, mostly for pre-orders. "Many people find the bread large, unique, and eye-catching, so they buy it to try. However, because the loaf is so large, it's only suitable for large families, so we only make it when someone places an order. Not only are we participating in the 'I Love Saigon Bread' campaign, but in the future, if customers request giant baguettes, we will continue to make them as usual," Mr. Van said.

Famous bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) shops in Ho Chi Minh City such as Bay Ho, Sau Minh, Nhu Lan, Tuan Map… are also joining the campaign to promote Saigon bánh mì with many attractive promotions. ABC Bakery, in particular, is giving away a free meat bánh mì to customers who order drinks at their Ong Bau coffee shop chain.

Not just a street food, many 3-5 star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are also participating in the "I Love Saigon Banh Mi" campaign by including it on their menus, such as Rex, Grand Hotel Saigon, Pullman, Caravelle, Continental…

We encourage you to order online and have it delivered.

With recommendations to avoid gatherings and large crowds, ordering sandwiches online or having them delivered has become the top choice for those who love this convenient and affordable food, contributing to a simpler lifestyle to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Many sandwich shops have partnered with GoViet, Now.vn, and Foody to offer promotions and encourage customers to order sandwiches through online apps for home delivery.

According to statistics on bread consumption habits on GoFood recently released by GoViet, from November 2018 to the present, nearly 4.5 million loaves of bread have been sold through the GoFood platform in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Among them, baguette sandwiches, mixed sandwiches, and roasted pork sandwiches were the most ordered. Bread was also among the top ordered food items during the recent Tet holiday. On average, GoFood helps deliver nearly 9,000 loaves of bread to users every day. The amount of bread consumed in Ho Chi Minh City is double that in Hanoi.

Mr. Le Xuan Tuong, owner of a Nha Trang fish cake sandwich shop operating on GoFood, said that since joining GoFood in November 2019, his shop's sales have increased fivefold, and orders from GoFood account for more than 50% of his total orders. His loyal customers are mainly students.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/diem-den-hap-dan/banh-mi-sai-gon-thang-hoa-20200326202445338.htm