Here is a list of things I wish I had brought from home that I can't find in Hai Phong (or that I can't find yet). Most of the items I can find in Hanoi and HCMC, but I haven't yet found the stores where they are located, except for ones that are very expensive.
Coffee - Viet Nam is one of the largest exporters of coffee in the world, and it is good coffee, just different from what we are used to. There are no freshly roasted coffee beans and small roasters, but there are many wonderful coffee shops, where they interestingly only serve beverages and no food. I can't figure that out. I wish I hard brought more than the two pounds of Mt. Si. Coffee
Cheese - Oh I wish I could smuggle a huge, Costco size brick of Tillamook Cheese. Even the smaller bricks would be great. The cheese comes from Australia and I just don't like the taste, and the packages are so small . . .
Spices - the spices are so different and I don't see much dried spice in the stores. I believe they have it here in the outdoor markets but I will need to learn more Vietnamese to be able to explain what I want. For sure I need paprika.
Other Baking Items - Baking soda, baking powder, yeast. Canned green chili's for my hubbie to get his Mexican food fix.
English/Vietnamese Dictionary - with the world of online access I didn't think I would need to worry about this. For whatever reason we aren't on 3G or 4G internet here, although it is available. When trying to ask for something we are always misunderstood. A simple picture dictionary would be great.
Dishwasher Detergent - our new home is one of the very few in Hai Phong with a dishwasher. Guess what - they don't sell it here, although they do in Hanoi.
Kitchen Utensils - potato masher, rolling pin, serrated bread knife, small cookie sheet to use in my small oven, other baking dishes,
Magnifying Mirror - Can't find it, can't explain it.
Coffee Bean Grinder - maybe. Even the Starbucks in Hanoi and HCMC don't carry coffee grinders.
Pants with Pockets - My size 6 in the USA is XXL in Vietnam. It is hard to find a good fit and harder still to find the light weight travel pants that are so comfortable.
No comments:
Post a Comment