Emma Ann Odom, owner of the TikTok channel ‘@emmaa_eatss’, has captivated audiences with her culinary adventures in Vietnam. With over 22,000 followers, her vlogs offer a unique perspective on Vietnamese cuisine and the local community.
In an interview with *Tuoi Tre* (Youth) newspaper, Odom, a high school English teacher, shared her love for Vietnam, a country she has visited multiple times. Her vlogs showcase her interactions with Vietnamese food vendors, many of whom speak English fluently.
From the end of March until now, Odom has produced a series of engaging vlogs, conversing with local food vendors and exploring the flavors of Vietnam. She reviews a range of dishes, from congee to ‘banh mi’ (Vietnamese bread) and ‘nem nuong’ (grilled pork fermented rolls), offering her audience a taste of Vietnamese cuisine.
One of her most popular vlogs features a conversation with a Vietnamese woman selling ‘banh mi,’ which garnered significant attention from netizens. Another vlog highlights her interaction with Le Quang Tung, a 21-year-old vendor selling ‘chao suon sun’ (Vietnamese congee with pork cartilage ribs) in Hanoi. Tung’s fluent description of his congee ingredients in English impressed many viewers.
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| Le Quang Tung, a Vietnamese street food vendor, captures the attention of Emma Ann Odom with his fluent English and delicious congee. |
Odom’s vlogs have had a significant impact, with Tung and his eatery gaining sudden fame. She also shared her surprise at the varying levels of English proficiency in Vietnam and her initiative to learn Vietnamese to communicate with locals better. Her channel has attracted a predominantly Vietnamese audience, with 99% of views and comments coming from within the country.
Since starting her vlogs, Odom has received offers from nearly 30 Vietnamese individuals willing to act as tour guides and translators. She has been warmly welcomed, with people sharing their favorite street food spots and inviting her to their eateries and shops. Odom is grateful for the kindness and generosity of the people she has met, which has made her experiences memorable.
Creating food vlogs comes with its challenges, and Odom admits to struggling to describe the unique flavors of Vietnamese cuisine accurately. She also shared a lighthearted moment where she mistakenly drank fish sauce, thinking it was soup. Despite having tried Vietnamese dishes in Western countries, she finds that they are not as delicious as those served in Hanoi, emphasizing the authenticity and allure of the local cuisine.
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| Emma Ann Odom’s TikTok page showcases her culinary adventures in Vietnam, offering a glimpse into the country’s vibrant food culture. |
Odom also noted cultural differences in food preferences, such as the Vietnamese custom of enjoying hot soup regardless of the weather, which differs from foreign practices. Iced tea, a common beverage in small eateries and cafés, also fascinated her, representing a social ritual beyond just a drink.
Vietnamese cuisine, Odom concluded, is a delightful exploration of flavors, and she hopes that vendors will continue to embrace their English skills to attract a diverse range of customers. With no immediate plans to return home, she aims to secure another teaching position in Southeast Asia and further immerse herself in the local culture. Through her vlogs, Odom aims to inspire others to visit Vietnam and experience the warmth and richness of its people and cuisine.
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