A young American teacher showcases a variety of Vietnamese dishes in her engaging TikTok vlogs, aiming to provide insights into life in Vietnam and inspire viewers to explore the country firsthand.

During her current visit to Vietnam, Emma Ann Odom, the owner of the TikTok channel '@emmaa_eatss' with over 22,000 followers, has sparked excitement among netizens with her vlogs that delve into Vietnamese cuisine.

Odom told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that she is a high school English teacher who has visited Vietnam multiple times and has developed a deep affection for the country.

Throughout her time in Vietnam, she has encountered numerous Vietnamese food vendors fluent in English, inspiring her to produce food-centric vlogs as a means to engage with the local community.

From the end of March until now, Odom has produced many interesting vlogs in which she converses with food vendors in English, showcasing her interactions with local cuisine.

She reviewed many Vietnamese dishes, including congee, ‘banh mi’ (Vietnamese bread), ‘nem nuong’ (grilled pork fermented rolls), and others, during her exploration of Vietnamese cuisine.

Odom's standout moment occurred with her first viral vlog, featuring her conversation with a Vietnamese woman selling 'banh mi,' which garnered significant attention from netizens.

In another vlog, she conversed with Le Quang Tung, a 21-year-old vendor selling 'chao suon sun' (Vietnamese congee with pork cartilage ribs) in Hanoi.

Many viewers were impressed by Tung's fluent presentation of the ingredients of his congee in English as they watched the vlog, earning him admiration from the audience.

Following the viral spread of the vlog, Tung and his eatery quickly gained fame.

Discovering that English proficiency is not widespread in the area, the American teacher took the initiative to learn Vietnamese in order to communicate with locals.

She expressed surprise at encountering many Vietnamese individuals who spoke English fluently.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre, she shared that interacting with proficient English speakers has been an enriching experience for her in Vietnam, offering a valuable opportunity to engage with and learn from the local community.

She mentioned that her channel primarily attracts Vietnamese viewers, with 99 percent of the views and comments coming from them.

Since launching the vlog series, nearly 30 Vietnamese individuals have reached out to her, offering to serve as tour guides and translators.

Many others eagerly shared the addresses of top street vendors or extended invitations for her to visit their own eateries and shops.

Odom stressed that these people are so kind, not asking her for anything in return, and this brought her many memorable experiences, as this generosity is rare where she lives.

She said she seldom received guidance or help without any charge from others.

The teacher revealed that she encountered difficulties while creating food vlogs, particularly when describing the flavors of certain Vietnamese dishes as she struggled to find suitable comparisons.

She also shared an amusing incident where she accidentally consumed fish sauce, mistaking it for a type of soup.

She said she has enjoyed many famous Vietnamese dishes in Western countries, such as ‘pho’ (a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef or chicken), ‘bun cha’ (rice noodles with grilled pork and meatballs), and ‘nem’ (fermented pork rolls).

However, she found that these dishes were not as delicious as they are served in Hanoi.

She emphasized that ‘bun cha’ and ‘pho’ are two typical dishes of Hanoi and an indispensable part of Vietnamese cuisine.

Odom also pointed out some differences in cuisines between different countries.

The English teacher remarked that cultural differences are evident in food preferences, citing the Vietnamese tradition of enjoying hot soup with every meal, even on hot days, which contrasts with the practice of many foreigners who reserve soup for colder weather.

She also found it fascinating to observe locals savoring iced tea, a refreshing beverage commonly enjoyed at small eateries on sidewalks or in cafés.

To her, iced tea represents more than just a drink – it serves as a means for people to unwind, socialize, and relax.

She concluded by emphasizing the delectable nature of Vietnamese cuisine and expressed her hope that vendors will leverage their English proficiency to attract a growing number of customers, thereby increasing revenue for local businesses.

The young teacher stated that she currently has no plans to return home, as she desires to secure a teaching position in Southeast Asia once again.

She hopes to continue living abroad for several more years before considering a return.

Odom intends to further her understanding of Vietnamese culture and expand the reach of her TikTok channel to a broader global audience.

She believes that her vlogs will offer valuable insights into life in Vietnam and inspire others to visit the country.

She looks forward to forging new friendships and connections with local residents through her vlog-making endeavors.

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