Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Busy and bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city. Formerly known as Saigon, it can feel chaotic, with streets full of motorbikes, cars, markets, shops, and street stalls. Traffic is constant, reflecting the city’s rapid growth and urban development.

The city is a blend of history and modern life. French colonial buildings with preserved facades stand alongside tall skyscrapers, office towers, shopping malls, and apartment blocks, showing how the old and new exist together (VERONA ITALY TOP THINGS TO DO). 

Kerabu Mangga - Vegetarian Mango Salad

Kerabu Mango or Mango Salad is a beloved and well-known Asian mango dish, especially popular in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. While the core ingredients are similar - green mango, chilies, herbs, and a tangy dressing, each country adds its own local touch. It's called Kerabu Mangga (VEGETARIAN OKRA SALAD/KERABU BENDI) in Malaysia, Som Tum Mamuang in Thailand, Gỏi Xoài in Vietnam, Nhoam Svay in Cambodia, and Rujak Mangga in Indonesia.

 

This raw mango salad is easy to prepare at home, including vegetarian versions of kerabu mangga or mango salad. The method is effortless: just slice, mix, and toss the ingredients together. Some versions include roasted white sesame seeds, but the crunch of affordable roasted or fried peanuts often steals the food show (VEGETARIAN HERBED RICE/NASI ULAM).

Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu (Field Beans Salted Fish Curry)

Thick, spicy, tangy, and with a balanced saltiness, this Salted Fish Curry is truly delicious. This recipe features mochakottai (field beans) that are pre-simmered or boiled with turmeric powder. And what's a salted fish curry without skin-on pototoes? You can also use common and affordable ingredients like brinjals or okra (PINEAPPLE SALTED FISH CURRY).

For the salted fish, ikan kurau (threadfin) is considered the best choice, though other varieties work too. The salted fish bones add depth of flavor, but be careful, as some bones may soften and fall into the curry.

Rangoon Creeper: Cultivating Zen Blooming Bliss

(Updated Version)

Rangoon Creeper, or Combretum Indicum, is also known as Drunken Sailor, Akar Dani, Chinese Honeysuckle, and Red Jasmine. This charming plant originates from Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar. Its name pays tribute to Rangoon, now known as Yangon. In Nava's Zen garden, it brings both beauty and fragrance (ROSELLE - BENEFITS & USES).

 

Fragrance and Blooms

Rangoon Creeper isn’t just about its appearance; its scent is truly captivating. The sweet, fruity aroma fills the air, creating a serene and relaxing ambiance. The flowers begin as delicate white buds and gradually transition into clusters of rich red blooms. Over time, the slender stems grow into strong, lush vines, perfect for adorning pergolas or trellises.

Siamese Laksa Lemak

A revelation of bold flavors that awaken your palate instantly - spicy, sour, sweet, and fragrant herbs lifting your senses. This is the heart of Thai food. From quick, simple dishes to recipes with long ingredient lists, Thai cooking always leaves a lasting impression.

 

Siamese Laksa, or Laksa Thai, is a fusion of Asam Laksa and Curry Laksa, developed over time through gathered knowledge. Using familiar ingredients from both noodle dishes, it becomes Siamese Laksa, enhanced with Thai herbs that are also common in Malaysian and Southeast Asian kitchens.

Mee Rebus (Vegetarian)

What makes or breaks a Mee Rebus dish? It’s the gravy, or kuah. Made with the right balance of spiciness, sweetness, aroma, and thickness, it becomes the best Mee Rebus. The gravy is the central star of this beloved Malay noodle dish, which is also part of Indian-Muslim food (MALAY STYLE MEE UDANG) and Malaysian street food.

Yellow sweet potatoes are an important ingredient, giving the gravy its rich texture and subtle sweetness, even for the vegetarian version.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

There is no sightseeing in Thailand without Ayutthaya on the list. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, (VERONA ITALY TOP SITES) Ayutthaya stands as one of the country’s most important historic landmarks, preserving the grandeur and legacy of a once-flourishing kingdom.

Recognized globally as one of the world’s most significant heritage sites, Ayutthaya, officially known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is both a city and a province in central Thailand. It was the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam and remains a symbol of Thailand’s legacy which cannot be erased.

Pepper Soup: Instant Rasam

The healthy, nutritious and oilless Pepper Soup, also called Rasam. A nourishing tasty South Indian soup with the peppery taste and the natural sourness of tomatoes, along with the aroma of curry leaves. Rasam can be made in many ways, but the main ingredients are usually kitchen staples (MORINGA LEAVES STIR-FRIED).

 

For those who want a quick option, instant Rasam is available in pre-packed rasam powder at Indian grocery stores. Over time, you will discover which brand or mix suits your taste best.

 

Some people say nothing beats homemade Rasam. Made with freshly ground spices or a paste. But this quick Rasam recipe is for anyone short on time and still wanting one of the best pepper soups.

No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe

This vegetarian no-bake cheesecake uses just 5 simple ingredients (excluding decoration) and is for anyone looking for a simple homemade cheesecake recipe. It features a crumbly, buttery bottom layer topped with a creamy, smooth, and slightly tangy cheese layer. A delicious easy dessert you can make at home (MOIST BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE).

No need to spend on digestive biscuits. Cream crackers are a cheaper alternative and give a delightfully crumbly base. For a denser base, simply add more butter.

Malay Style Prawn Noodles/Mee Udang

There is the Chinese-style prawn mee and the Malay-style prawn mee, known as Mee Udang. Both dishes use prawns and prawn broth, though the Chinese version, sometimes called Hae Mee, may also include chicken or pork bones.

Mee Udang is a traditional Malay dish. It is popular in Malacca, Klang, and coastal towns in Penang. The dish is part of Indian-Muslim (Mamak) cuisine and well-known in Malaysian street food and Malay eateries (FRIED KEMBUNG WITH ASAM SAUCE).

Moist Banana Chocolate Cake Recipe

Moist, tender, and melting in the mouth, this Banana Chocolate Cake recipe combines two classic favorites in one delightful loaf cake. Baked as a simple chocolate banana loaf cake, the best part is that there’s no creaming or beating of eggs with a mixer.

Ideal for those who prefer straightforward baking without the need for special utensils. Everything is handmade. Just mixing and combining before it goes into the oven.

Portuguese Vegetable Pickle/Achar

Although time-consuming and best made in bulk, making this Portuguese Vegetable Pickle, also known as Achar, is well worth the effort. Crunchy green chilies, shallots, and garlic soak in an aromatic, zesty, and slightly tangy vinaigrette, creating an appetizing homemade spicy vinegar pickle.

This version features only chilies, shallots, and garlic, though you can add vegetables such as long beans, French beans, carrots, white radish, or cabbage, or any other firm vegetables that pickle well (NO-COOK CUCUMBER SALAD).

Things to Do in Verona, Italy

Verona in summer has cool breezes and gentle streets, in a city of romance and love in Italy. The simple vibes add to the sense of love in the air. Rustic stone landmarks in Verona add more feeling to the city. Verona is in northern Italy, in the Veneto region between Milan and Venice.

 

Driving to Verona from Venice (TOP SITES IN VENICE) takes about two hours, and an overnight stay makes the experience more meaningful. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Verona has existed for over 2,000 years. Its heritage sites make the city one of the top attractions in Verona. Walking through the city unhurriedly while stopping at sightseeing spots, with breaks for lunch or coffee, fits the pace of Verona.

Bread Pudding Recipe

Five-ingredient bread pudding, a beloved dessert. An absolutely beautiful, visually appealing result. Soft, warm, and creamy, it has a custard-like texture that melts in your mouth. This is not an ordinary recipe. It has a twist that’s probably unlike the others.

 

What makes it special? It’s made with almost expiring bread slices. A vegetarian dessert that won’t let down non-vegetarians either. Naturally sweetened with dark raisins, it’s an ultimate easy vegetarian bread pudding.

Venice, Italy - Top Attractions

Venice is a city of boats, gondolas, and vaporettos moving through narrow canals. It is built on 118 small islands connected by over 400 bridges in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. The Grand Canal is the main thoroughfare, and a gondola ride is one of the key activities in Venetian waters.

Besides the gondola ride, there are other things to do in Venice. The journey usually begins with a boat ride from the main arrival point, passing famous landmarks along the way. Summer is the peak season, but Venice in Italy (PISA ITALY TOP ATTRACTIONS) attracts crowds throughout the year. During busy times, lines form to disembark, and once on land, the walk into Venice begins. Gradually, the crowd spreads out, leaving enough space to move around for the activities in Venice.