Vietnam is a long, narrow country on the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia. In the north, the capital Hanoi is a political and cultural center with the atmosphere of an old city. Central Vietnam is home to popular destinations such as Da Nang and Hoi An, while Ho Chi Minh City in the south is the country’s largest commercial hub, sometimes called the Paris of the East. Vietnam experienced long periods of Chinese rule and around 60 years of French colonial rule beginning in the late nineteenth century. These influences are clearly reflected in its food: local traditions combined with Chinese and French cuisines have helped make Vietnam famous for its cooking.