Introducing Hà Pham, Co-Founder of Mooi Travel
Hà was born in a war-torn Vietnam, shaped by hardship and resilience. The early years were not easy, but they instilled in her a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Today, Hà looks forward with hope and a profound desire to showcase the beauty, depth, and soul of the new Vietnam through its food, landscapes, and, above all, its people.
For Hà, travel is not just about ticking boxes or sightseeing. It’s about experiencing, feeling, and tasting. It’s about sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with locals over a steaming bowl of something extraordinary, and no one understood that better than Anthony (Tony) Bourdain.
Hà had the honour of working closely with Tony when he visited Vietnam. As the local production manager, she helped Tony uncover the hidden corners, the soul food of the nation, and the places that whispered rather than shouted. Tony was not interested in polished silverware or white tablecloths. What he sought was the real deal: local eateries, family-run kitchens, and dishes made from scratch with ingredients sourced just metres away.
Tony’s curiosity was boundless, and his appetite for stories and spice was equally so. He wasn’t just looking for a good meal; he was hunting for meaning. He wanted to understand why a dish existed, who made it, and what history it carried. In Vietnam, there is always a story.
When President Barack Obama joined Tony in Hanoi for a bowl of Bún Chả, it wasn’t at a diplomatic venue. It was in a modest, family-run spot where the charcoal grill still glowed from decades of use. Tony wanted Obama to taste what he considered the best of Vietnam. Not gourmet, not fussy, but deeply authentic.
That was Tony’s gift, his “Midas touch”, as it was sometimes called. A quiet eatery one day, a bustling pilgrimage site for food lovers the next. Yet even when the world came knocking, the heart of these places remained unchanged. That was the magic.
Tony often had a vision for what he wanted to find and would send Hà out to scout.
“Hà,” he’d ask, “What’s the most typical dish of Hanoi? What can only be experienced here?”
It was a question Hà never tired of answering.
Hà’s Favourite Anthony Bourdain Quote:
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.”
This quote resonates deeply with Hà. Tony’s unwavering love for Vietnam helped elevate the country’s cuisine onto the global stage. For that, Hà will always be grateful.
The Flavours of Vietnam: 10 Places Hà Shared with Anthony Bourdain
Here are ten unforgettable food stops Hà. helped scout, each with a story to tell, and each a testament to Vietnam’s diverse culinary landscape:
1. Bún Chả Liên Hương (Hanoi)
Also known as Bún Chả Obama, this humble family-run eatery became world-famous overnight after Tony and President Obama dined here. Serving Hanoi’s signature dish — chargrilled pork over rice vermicelli with fresh herbs, it remains a symbol of how something local can reach hearts globally.
2. Bánh Cuốn Thanh Vân (Hanoi)
One of the oldest establishments serving bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) in the capital. Their secret? A delicately fragrant sauce featuring a rare local water bug essence, resulting in an unexpected but mesmerising twist for adventurous palates.
3. Bánh Mì Phượng (Hội An)
Now legendary, this shop was once just a modest cart outside Hội An Central Market. Tony helped catapult it to global fame. Their crusty baguettes, filled with herbs, pickles, and perfectly seasoned meats are still some of the best in Vietnam.
4. Bánh Xèo Đinh Công Tráng (Saigon)
In southern Vietnam, bánh xèo is a sizzling rice flour pancake filled with pork, prawns, and bean sprouts. The word “xèo” mimics the crackling sound it makes when it hits the hot pan. This spot serves it with mounds of fresh herbs and a vibrant dipping sauce.
5. Quán Bánh O Lê (Hue)
Tucked away in a verdant village by the Perfume River, this family-run gem serves traditional Hue cakes, from translucent bánh bột lọc to delicate bánh bèo. Each dish is a bite-sized tribute to Hue’s imperial culinary past.
6. Bún Bò Huế – Chợ Đông Ba (Hue)
This rich and spicy beef noodle soup is central Vietnam’s answer to phở. Flavoured with shrimp paste and lemongrass, it’s bold, aromatic, and deeply satisfying just like the city that created it.
7. Bún Ốc Lương Ngọc Quyến (Hanoi)
A tiny street stall serving snail noodle soup, an often-overlooked Hanoi speciality. Diners can sit on low plastic stools, slurp the tangy broth, and enjoy life passing by in the bustling Old Quarter.
8. Phở Gánh (Hanoi)
Hà’s personal favourite phở spot. Open from the early hours, it serves beef noodle soup to market-goers and locals on their way to work. Hà never had the chance to bring Tony here, but she knows Tony would have loved it.
9. T-Loading Café (Hanoi)
Housed in a charming old French villa, this café serves egg coffee with a touch of cinnamon serving as a nod to Hà’s favourite spice. The lighting and atmosphere are perfect for those quiet, reflective moments that every traveller needs.
10. Café Giảng (Hanoi)
The birthplace of Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee, created in 1946. A velvety mix of whipped egg yolk, condensed milk, and robust Vietnamese coffee. Visitors come for the drink, stay for the history.
Welcome to Hà’s Vietnam
Vietnam is a non-English-speaking country, and as its tourism industry continues to develop, service quality can at times be inconsistent. For travellers seeking a smooth, safe, and truly enjoyable holiday, partnering with a trusted local expert like Mooi Travel is highly recommended. Founded in Hanoi by Hà, who is passionate about sharing authentic experiences, Mooi Travel specialises in designing bespoke journeys across Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos – each rooted in deep local knowledge, cultural insight, and genuine care. The team handles every detail, allowing guests to relax and fully immerse themselves in the experience, with dedicated 24/7 support provided throughout the journey for complete peace of mind.
Every trip they create includes:
- A dedicated Personal Travel Assistant (PTA) to ensure seamless support.
- Locally guided tours with three-star (or above) accommodation.
- Safety and quality checks, backed by Public Liability Insurance up to USD 1 million.
- Customised itineraries for FIT and GIT, tailored to budget, interest, and time.
- FAM trips for agents at discounted rates, with cost offsets for successful bookings.
With over 20 years of experience, Hà also collaborates with foreign TV crews as a local production manager. These projects, especially those with Tony, continue to fuel her passion for storytelling and cultural exchange.
Vietnam is not a place you simply visit. It’s a place you feel.
Let Hà show you the places that shaped her, and perhaps, they’ll shape you too.
Mooi Travel
16 Son Tay street
Hanoi 10000
