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VIETNAM that needs to be seen to be believed. Despite the vast flowing, numbers though, scooter traffic moves like water. It is constantly sometimes fast, usually slow and occasionally it will pool due to an obstacle, but then find a way to break through and move on. Walking can prove to be a bit of a challenge, as most footpaths are lined with parked scooters, left there by the locals while they shop or eat. Food and entertainment Vietnam offers the opportunity to sample some truly amazing cuisine. to a variety of fish, There are said to be nearly 500 traditional dishes, ranging from exotic meats such as bat and cobra, vegetables, spices and sauces. As a guide, food in the Central region tends to be spicy, while the Northern region cuisine is mild. The Southern region has an understandable accent 228 www.paradisesonline.com on pepper, as Vietnam is the world's largest producer of the spice. 'Pho' is the noodle soup eaten at any time of day and 'com' means 'rice dish'. Because Buddhist monks of the Mahayana tradition are strict vegetarians, many dishes contain tofu, mushrooms and raw, cooked and fermented vegetables. While Vietnamese desserts such as pastry, sticky rice and beans tend to be a little sweet for foreign palates, the selection of local fruits is amazing. Try green dragon fruit, jujube, longan, pomelo, three-seed cherry and water apple. A word of warning, smoking is still allowed in most hotels and restaurants in Vietnam, so it's advisable to get a table outside or by a window. In Saigon, entertainment can be found at discos and hotel nightclubs, while bars and cafes are popular throughout the rest of the country. For a local experience,