The best way to tackle Vietnamese cuisine head on is to sign up tor a cooking course during your stay. For those who fall in love with the food, there is no better experience than re-creating the real recipes back home. It's also a great way to introduce your Vietnam experience to friends, they may not want to hear the stories or see the photos, but offer them a mouthwatering meal and they will all come running' Cooking courses " have really taken off in the last few years as more and more travellers combine the twin passions of eating and exploring. Courses range from budget classes in the local specialities of Hoi An to gastronomic gallops through the country's classic cuisine at some of the luxury hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). If vou are set on serious studies, try a short course in Hoi An and negotiate for something longer once you've tasted the experience.