I Tried a Different Kind of Bánh Cuốn in Hanoi!

"I think I'd be too scared to drive a car in Vietnam." I'm back in Hanoi filming Vietnam Explained for VTV, and this time I'm not walking to lunch. I'm getting a lift from Jenny, one of the show's editors, who's taking me to try something I've never eaten before: bánh cuốn Cao Bằng. It's a different take on the traditional Hanoi bánh cuốn. Instead of dipping steamed rice rolls into fish sauce, we're eating them with a hot pork bone broth, minced pork, steamed egg, Vietnamese pork sausage and some seriously spicy bamboo shoots. On the drive, we chat about Hanoi's air pollution, the challenges of switching to electric motorbikes, and why driving a car through Hanoi's tiny streets seems absolutely terrifying to me. We also get into why the best Vietnamese restaurants often serve just one or two dishes, what it's like working together on Vietnam Explained, and why I still can't quite believe I'm presenting a show on Vietnamese national television. And before we leave, Jenny takes us behind the scenes to see exactly how the bánh cuốn is made. Key Takeaways How bánh cuốn Cao Bằng differs from traditional Hanoi bánh cuốn. Why Hanoi's air pollution can change dramatically from one day to the next. The challenges of electric motorbike adoption in Vietnam. Why driving through Hanoi's narrow streets is an experience in itself. Why Vietnamese restaurants specialising in one dish are often the best. How steamed rice rolls are made fresh, from rice batter to the finished dish. What goes on behind the scenes at Vietnam Explained on VTV. Timestamps 00:00 – Back in Hanoi and a surprisingly clear day 01:40 – A lunch drive with Jenny and Hanoi's air pollution 05:50 – Electric motorbikes and the challenges of switching to EVs 08:00 – Driving in Vietnam and navigating Hanoi's narrow streets 12:00 – Discovering bánh cuốn Cao Bằng 14:00 – Why the best Vietnamese restaurants specialise in one dish 16:00 – Trying the bánh cuốn, pork broth and spicy bamboo shoots 24:00 – Behind the scenes of Vietnam Explained and working with VTV 29:30 – Watching how bánh cuốn is made fresh If you enjoyed this Lunch Walk, subscribe to Discover Vietnam for more food, culture and everyday life in Vietnam. Have you tried bánh cuốn Cao Bằng? Let me know what you think in the comments! Niall Mackay Host, Discover Vietnam "Send me a message!" Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show 🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio! 👉  www.saigonpodcaststudio.com 🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today! 👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!  🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript! 👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:  🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!  These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. ✅ Subscribe for More! If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button. 📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!