As I sip a warm and comforting bowl of Vietnamese pho, I can’t help but marvel at the richness and diversity of our culinary world.
My years working with ASEAN institutions granted me the opportunity to travel across the vibrant Southeast Asian countries, with each trip broadening my understanding and appreciation of our shared heritage and unique differences.
These experiences have taught me that food is more than sustenance; it’s a language of love, a symbol of hospitality, and a testament to our shared history.
You might wonder, “What does a bowl of Vietnamese pho have in common with a hearty plate of Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice)?” Or how does the delicate Hainanese chicken rice of Singapore relate to the fiery Tom Yum Goong of Thailand?
