Vietnam for the First Time in Five Years, Part 3
“First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who lost loved ones or were affected by the super typhoon that recently struck Vietnam.”
This morning, too, I wake to the sound of birds singing.
But today is the last day of that.
Now, let’s head back to Hanoi!
Returning from the peaceful village of Cam Lam to the bustle of the big city, even the pace of time in Hanoi seems hectic.
On this day, Professor T of Waseda University, who introduced the fifth-generation proprietor to Ms. Thu, reserved a room for us at the Melia Hotel, where he himself regularly stays.
The Melia Hotel is Spanish-affiliated, and the moment you step inside, you are greeted by a magnificent, glittering lobby.
We return to Japan tomorrow, so rather than unpacking, let’s take out only the essentials and rest for a while.
The purpose of our second visit to Hanoi on this trip was to enjoy the Japanese cuisine of Yoshio Ono, who is immensely popular among Japanese people stationed there.
Mr. Ono, who had honed his craft for many years at Japanese restaurants in Hanoi, opened his own restaurant, Gunnai Onoya, last year, so this was a visit to celebrate its opening as well.
Incidentally, Gunnai refers to the eastern region of Yamanashi Prefecture, where Mr. Ono is from.
As in Japan, we pass beneath the noren curtain and enter the restaurant, where Mr. Ono greets us with a smile.
That evening, we also invited another Hanoi resident, the president of a company called Hanoi Living (who is both a Yahata Sushi customer and someone through whom many Japanese people posted to Vietnam are introduced to excellent properties), and enjoyed a dinner while hearing about various aspects of Vietnamese society.
The meal was a full-course Japanese dinner.
The appetizer was a six-item assortment: house-made yuba, simmered abalone topped with liver sauce, fried eggplant steeped in broth, and vinegared kohada.
Kohada is difficult to find in Vietnam, so I think this would be a real pleasure for Japanese diners.
The sashimi, centered on white-fleshed fish, was excellent as well.
The grilled course was rich, fatty tilefish saikyo-yaki, thoroughly infused with the flavor of Saikyo miso.
The fifth-generation proprietor’s favorite, tempura, came in a delicate, thin batter and was wonderfully light.
The final course was sea bream rice, miso soup, and house-made mizunasu eggplant.
Being able to enjoy such delicious and satisfying Japanese food makes you feel ready to work hard in Vietnam!
One thing all the Japanese people I met on this trip had in common was their deep love for Vietnam.
Professor Honna, the president of Hanoi Living, Mr. Ono, and everyone else I met all conveyed their affection for Vietnam.
Is it the character of the people of this country, or perhaps its climate and culture, that inspires such feelings?
The fifth-generation proprietor, too, has been involved in a small way for more than ten years now.
I love Vietnam so much that if I cannot visit for a while, I start to have withdrawal symptoms.
On the day of our departure, my dear friend Thu said she would come to the hotel to pick me up and take me to the airport.
Even though she must be busy with work, I cannot find words to express my gratitude.
On the way to the airport, we talked about Ha Long and Cam Lam, which we had visited together, as well as our families, sushi, and many other things.
At the end of our reunion after five years, we shared a firm handshake, promised to visit one another, and said goodbye.
May our friendship with them continue forever, and may relations between Japan and Vietnam in turn remain good and continue to develop.
*Here is an explanation of the photographs:
⚪︎A twilight view from our room at the Melia Hanoi
⚪︎The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a symbol of Vietnamese reunification
⚪︎Gunnai Onoya—a source of comforting Japanese flavors for Japanese residents
⚪︎A variety of lovingly prepared appetizers, served on wonderful tableware
⚪︎Rich, fatty tilefish saikyo-yaki, made with Vietnamese fish
⚪︎The final sea bream rice—deeply satisfying
⚪︎Lotte Tower, a landmark in the Kim Ma area: a major complex with a hotel, residences, department store, and supermarket all in one place. On this trip, I also had the pleasure of dining with its general manager, Hidetoshi Anjo, at a meal with Professor Honna.
⚪︎With Thu, who came to pick me up on our final morning, in front of the Melia Hanoi
⚪︎It feels as though I arrived at Noi Bai Airport only yesterday
