A kumquat tree full of fruits is one of the most iconic Vietnamese New Year home decorations. The fruits are bright and abundant, symbolizing the fertility and longevity that the family hopes for. The overall kumquat tree symbolized many generations: ripe fruits as grandparents, flowers as parents, buds as children, and light green leaves as grandchildren.
In the early 1500s, the Spaniard explorers brought pineapples to the Philippines and the Peninsular Malaysia. The fruit spread quickly to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia – where most international pineapple canning factories were. Pineapples used to be less prevalent in Vietnam compared to its bordering countries, but it’s not the case now.
With the fresh makrut leaves, we shopped the necessary ingredients from the street market in Hanoi Old Quarter, and made our own Vietnamese mule at the hotel. If you want to try this interesting drink, this is the recipe.
Like the traditional black coffee, weasel coffee and those with sweeten condensed milk that Vietnam is famous for, egg coffee has been one of the must-tries for Hanoi visitors. So, where to try the best egg coffee in Hanoi?
