The Vung Nao Thuc Nay (Local Delicacies) exhibition has opened in the heart of Hanoi for international tourists to enjoy Hanoi and Vietnamese cuisine through paintings.

It features colorful paintings of Hanoi delicacies such as pho (noodle soup), banh cuon (steamed rolled pancakes), bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs), bun oc (rice noodle soup with freshwater snails) and bun thang (vermicelli noodles with assorted toppings).

A painting of delicacies of Hanoi at the exhibition. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

Specialties of other localities include Hai Duong’s banh dau xanh (mung bean cake), Haiphong’s banh da cua (rice vermicelli with crab), Quang Ngai’s xu xoa (jelly made from seaweed) and Saigon roasted pork baguette. Countless other unique and delicious dishes are waiting for visitors to enjoy visually.

Vietnamese cuisine combines a wide range of flavors and colors and geographical, climatic, and regional tastes. Each meal, each cuisine specialty, has a story to tell and a distinct local value.

The exhibition is made up of 41 paintings created by 36 young illustrators. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

Made up of 41 paintings created by 36 young illustrators, this exhibition of the best culinary drawings promises to take visitors on an exciting, unique culinary journey through the prism of illustration.

The artists present not only drawings but also a story related to food. "I was born into a pure farming family. My whole childhood was spent following my mother to the rice fields to work. I know that for a farmer to have a bowl of white rice, he has to go through many stages of sowing, plowing, and harvesting... So every time I hold a bowl of white rice, I feel the sweetest of all these hardships. For me, rice is the best food!" Young artist Kieu Nhu Trang (25, Hanoi) explains her painting Rice.

The exhibition runs until July 16 at the Ho Guom Information and Culture Center, No.2 Le Thai To Street, Hanoi.

A painting by young artist Kieu Nhu Trang. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times