French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier has lately visited and tried some food in the capital city of Hanoi.

Poirier started his term as French Ambassador to Vietnam in 2012. He loves Vietnamese cuisine, especially “pho” (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) and “bun dau mam tom” (vermicelli served with fried tofu and shrimp paste).

He can buy ingredients from the market and cook “pho” himself, or go to some places in Hanoi to try the food.

Dong Xuan Alley, one of Ambassador Poirier’s favorite places, has long been a well known destination for foodies who want to try Hanoi specialties at an affordable price.

Each delicious dish costs only around VND30,000 (US$1.5), one of the reasons why the area welcomes thousands of visitors a day.

The French diplomat said he prefers the casual lifestyle of Hanoi, adding that the taste of “mam tom” (shrimp paste) is not too strong compared to cheese dishes in his hometown.

Ambassador Poirier said that he had introduced “bun dau mam tom” to many French visitors to Vietnam, and most of them really liked the dish.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier and a staff member of the French Embassy ride a motorbike to Dong Xuan Alley in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dong Xuan Alley attracts thousands of visits from both local and foreign customers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The market in Dong Xuan Alley houses hundreds of shops which sell a wide range of Hanoi specialties whose price is only around VND30,000 per dish. Photo: Tuoi Tre

French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier enjoys the lifestyle of Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier eats “bun dau mam tom” (vermicelli served with fried tofu and shrimp paste) in a shop which has sold this dish for 20 years. A dish costs VND20,000 ($1). Photo: Tuoi Tre

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