Or rather, what is it about Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines or Indonesia that do not draw you in as much as Vietnam has?

Does it come down to something as simple as you went to Vietnam first, or in your visits to other parts of SE Asia do you find something lacking that is present only in Vietnam?

Love your shows, and the message from them that a love for food (and drink!) can bring people from all walks of life together for a good time to be had by all.

Thanks,

Bill.

Having been to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Korea (lived there), and Japan (lived there), I also wonder what makes Vietnam so special.

I can only tell you one thing: once you've eaten Vietnmese food (that's produced in the US), you'll never want to eat American-style greasy Chinese food. And the Viet coffee is incredible (like a dessert..and I don't drink American coffee at all, including starbucks.)

So I'm going to find out for myself some time in the next year. hkhodges13@aol.com