Arunika

Avoid a cultural shock while travelling to Southeast Asia! We’ve all been there, a moment where you realised that you just embarrassed yourself in the public, or perhaps innocently pointing to the sacred statue and everyone just shocked in silence! Well, understanding which gestures open doors and which accidentally slam them shut is vital. Therefore, learning a few essential social rules is the single best way to move beyond "tourist" status and unlock genuine warmth, ensuring your journey is filled with smiles, not apologies! Here’s the top 3 of the most fundamental and crucial rules to understand when traveling through Southeast Asia: 1. The Dirtiness of the Feet In many Southeast Asian cultures, the human body is viewed hierarchically: The Head is the highest part: spiritual, sacred, and closest to the heavens. The Feet are the lowest part: literally touching the ground, associated with dirt, and furthest from the spiritual realm.  Therefore, the feet are culturally deem...

If you’re a food lover that would like to try a new experience of roasted pork in VietNam , then you should try Bún Chả! More than just a vermicelli and grilled meat, Bún Chả holds an aromatic and tender smoky taste, but do you know what is inside this delicious meal? Bún Chả is a harmonious combination of textures and temperatures, typically served with four distinct elements: The Grilled Pork (Chả) : The heart of the dish, marinated and traditionally grilled over hot charcoal until beautifully caramelized and smoky. It usually consists of two kinds: Minced Pork Patties (Chả Băm) : Juicy, seasoned meatballs made from ground fatty pork. Pork Belly Slices (Thịt Ba Chỉ): Thin slices of fatty pork belly, charred and tender. The Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm) : This is the soul of Bún Chả. It is a light, warm, and highly nuanced liquid that acts as both a dipping sauce and a light broth. It achieves a masterful balance of sweet, sour, salty, and savory (umami), made from fish sauce, sugar, vi...