Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 340

SCULPTURE
Vietnamese sculpture has traditionally centred on religious themes and has functioned as
an adjunct to architecture, especially that of pagodas, temples and tombs.
The Cham civilisation produced exquisite carved sandstone figures for its Hindu and
Buddhist sanctuaries. The largest single collection of Cham sculpture is at the Museum of
Cham Sculpture in Danang.
WATER PUPPETRY
Vietnam's ancient art of roi nuoc (water puppetry) originated in northern Vietnam at least
a thousand years ago. Developed by rice farmers, the wooden puppets were manipulated
by puppeteers using water- flooded rice paddies as their stage. Hanoi is the best place to
see water-puppetry performances, which are accompanied by music played on traditional
instruments.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Food & Drink
Vietnamese food is one of the world's greatest cuisines; there are said to be nearly 500 tra-
ditional dishes. It varies a lot between north, central and south. Soy sauce, Chinese influ-
ence and hearty soups like pho typify northern cuisine. Central Vietnamese food is known
for its prodigious use of fresh herbs and intricate flavours; Hue imperial cuisine and Hoi
An specialities are key to this area. Southern food is sweet, spicy and tropical; its curries
will be familiar to lovers of Thai and Cambodian food. Everywhere you'll find Viet-
namese meals are superbly prepared and excellent value.
Fruit
Aside from the usual delightful Southeast Asian fruits, Vietnam has its own unique trai
thang long (green dragon fruit), a bright fuchsia-coloured fruit with green scales. Grown
mainly along the coastal region near Nha Trang, it has white flesh flecked with edible
black seeds, and tastes something like a mild kiwifruit.