Australian PM savours Vietnamese foods, drinks locally brewed beer

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks about  Vietnamese dishes at the lunch with young people. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had lunchat an eatery in Hanoi’s Old Quarter on June 3, where he tried the world-famousVietnamese sandwich "banh mi", a favourite street food of many Vietnamese people and foreign tourists, and drank "bia hoi", alocally brewed beer often used by Hanoians on hot summer days.

"Banh mi" is ranked 7th amongthe best street foods in the world by TasteAtlas, a website dedicated todiscovering fresh ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurantsaround the world.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is briefed on how to make a "banh mi". (Photo: VNA)

CNN Travel has also included "banh mi"  among its top 24 sandwiches in the world in 2023. According to the website, Banh mi can beeasily found at street vendors and food carts everywhere. This is not only apopular breakfast/lunch/dinner of Vietnamese people, but also well-known andbeloved by many foreign visitors.

"Banh mi" is a favourite street food of many Vietnamese people and foreign tourists. (Photo: VNA)

It is regularly ranked in the list ofdelicious dishes that foreign tourists must try when visiting Vietnam. CNN said the classic version ispork-based, starring cha lua (Vietnamese-style pork roll), shredded pickledcarrots, pickled daikon, cilantro leaves, mayonnaise and other ingredients. Depending on the region, travelers can taste different kinds of "banh mi" withvarious fillings. The taste is crunchy, fresh, savory, and utterlydelicious.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with two young Vietnamese people. (Photo: VNA)

In addition to "banh mi" and "bia hoi", PM Albanese alsoenjoyed boiled peanuts, grilled chopped fish, grilled pork and dried soya curdsmixed with fresh onion leaves.

The PM commended the Vietnamese cuisine with diverse and unique dishes, andexpressed his delight at sentiments and hospitality of local people.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drinks "bia hoi" and says cheers with locals in the eatery. (Photo: VNA)

PM Albanese arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at noon on June3, beginning a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of hisVietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

Right after his arrival, the PM visited the Hanoi campus of Australia’s RMITUniversity.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoys locally brewed beer (bia hoi) with young people. (Photo: VNA)

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by PM Albanese since he took officeand only two months after a State-level visit by Australian Governor-GeneralDavid Hurley, showing Australia's great attention to the Southeast Asiannation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is sipping a glass of locally brewed beer. (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)

Within the framework of the visit, PM Albanese and the Australian delegationare scheduled to laid wreaths in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at hismausoleum in Hanoi; hold talks with PM Chinh and meet with the press; meet withGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, PresidentVo Van Thuong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

In addition to "banh mi" and "bia hoi", PM Anthony Albanese also enjoys boiled peanuts, grilled chopped fish, grilled pork and dried soya curds mixed with fresh onion leaves. (Photo: VNA)

The Australian leader is also scheduled to join with PM Chinh in an exchangeevent with the women’s football teams of Australia and Vietnam; go for a tourof Hanoi; and visit RMIT University and United Nations International School(UNIS) in Hanoi.

The visit by PM Albanese is expected to reinforce political trust andmultifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields ofpolitics, diplomacy, security, defence, economy, investment, labour,technology, climate change response, and people-to-people exchanges./.

VNA