Flavors & Beyond is a reality TV program where foreign participants explore the culinary and cultural stories of Vietnam across all regions of the country. The show features chefs and local residents who join together to discover Vietnamese dishes, conveying a message about the richness, diversity, and depth of Vietnamese cuisine. More than just a program about food, it serves as a cultural bridge, helping the world gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual values and abundance of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.
Every dish tells a story. Join us as we explore Việt Nam's rich culinary heritage, meeting passionate local chefs and discovering how familiar ingredients are transformed into extraordinary creations inspired by tradition and creativity. Stay tuned for Flavours & Beyond. Only on VietnamToday.
Some aromas are synonymous with a place. For Việt Nam's northern highlands, that aroma is wood smoke. Behind every fragrant wisp lies a story shaped by the forest, sustained by tradition, and reimagined through culinary creativity. From the warmth of mountain kitchens to contemporary city restaurants, every smoky flavour carries a journey of its own - one that reaches far beyond the plate.
Some flavours are synonymous with a season. For many, the arrival of summer is heralded not by the calendar, but by the distinctive, delicate sweetness of the lychee. Behind those vibrant crimson clusters lies a narrative woven from nature's bounty, the farmer's devotion, and an endless journey of culinary creativity. From the orchard to the dining table, each and every lychee carries a flavour journey of its own.
More than a meal, Huế royal cuisine is a window into Việt Nam’s imperial past. From meticulously crafted dishes to centuries-old dining traditions, discover how the flavours of Huế continue to bring history to life.
In Asian cuisine, some ingredients offer far more than just flavour, but they are also cherished for their traditional health benefits. Once brought into the kitchen, these familiar herbs are transformed into dishes that are both nourishing and full of tradition. It's a journey where food is about more than just taste, creating a connection between food and well-being.
From the rustic charm of countryside kitchens to the vibrant pulse of urban life and the contemporary interpretations of modern cuisine, rice flour has quietly transformed, with each form carrying the distinct stories of the land and the people behind it. Rice flour is more than an ingredient. It’s the beginning of a language - one spoken through food.
French chef and food critic Benoît Chaigneau explores Hồ Chí Minh City’s culinary landscape through two iconic street food dishes - Cơm Tấm and Hủ Tiếu. The episode traces their humble origins and examines how traditional Vietnamese flavours are being elevated through modern gastronomy while preserving their cultural identity.
On this episode of Flavours and Beyond, we discover how plant-based cuisine lies at the heart of Vietnamese food culture: shaping traditions, memories, and beliefs. In Hồ Chí Minh City, Chef Benoît Chénieux and local food explorer Tina trace how humble ingredients evolve from street food staples to modern fine dining.
High in the mist-covered mountains of Vietnam, ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees have preserved a legacy for generations, where flavour, craft and tradition come together. From the purity of nature to the art of brewing and cooking, each leaf tells a story beyond taste, rooted in culture and time. Uncover the journey of Shan Tuyết tea and what lies beyond bitterness, only on Flavours & Beyond.
Bamboo - a humble yet enduring symbol of Vietnamese culture. Beyond daily life, it becomes a natural cooking vessel, preserving the flavours of the mountains. Bamboo is more than an ingredient; it becomes the pot of the forest.