HCM CITY (VNS) — HCM City Television is set to broadcast the second season of Kham Pha Viet Nam (Taste of Viet Nam) hosted by well-known American chef Robert Danhi starting on July 18 on its HTV 7.

Danhi will take viewers to 19 provinces and cities in the 26 episodes of the programme.

The destinations are spread all over the country, Ly Minh Phuong Quynh, the show's production manager, said.

"From the neglected but poetic highlands like Ha Giang, Yen Bai, to Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, and the land of rice, Thai Binh," she said.

The subject for this season is Bien Dao Que Huong (Sea and islands), she said, adding that Danhi would introduce beautiful islands in Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, Ha Tien, and Ca Mau to viewers.

Malaysian Chew Han Tah, the show's director, said: "Four out of the 26 episodes were shot in the most beautiful islands of Viet Nam – Cat Ba, Con Dao, Phu Quoc, and Ly Son. These islands are amazing with the Vietnamese cultural, lifestyle, nature, and historical value that is worthy of being shown to the world.

"We are not only looking at producing TOVN for domestic viewers but also for international viewers."

Chew said Danhi does lots of unexpected things in the show like jumping into a waterfall, fishing, snorkelling, climbing a tree, catching wild crabs with the hand, and eating raw snake heart.

"He is truly an adventure chef."

Danhi said he was just back from Con Dao Island where he had "a life-changing experience".

"I was really impressed by the effort made by your government's forestry service and how they are saving endangered sea turtles.

"A small group of our crew camped out on the island so I could help protect the precious turtle eggs. The next morning I actually let some of the cutest little turtles out into the crystal clear sea to hopefully survive and come back 35 years from now. "

Robert also travelled to Phu Quoc, where he said the nuoc mam nhi (fish sauce) is unforgettable."

"The smallest fish can create an immense flavour when they are treated with care. The beaches are beautiful and there is such an abundance of impressive and delicious seafood.

"Viet Nam has some of the most beautiful islands. We savored the sand grown garlic in Ly Son island, fished for crab, and explored Cat Ba island. The islands impressed me so much with their friendly people, crystal clear waters, and delicious seafood.

"In the centre I will never forget Phu Yen's millions of years old geometrically shaped volcanic rock formations that line the sea's edge. I was allowed to cook right on top of them using local seafood."

He also had some great experiences in the north.

"Yen Bai's gorgeous ancient hand-carved rice terraces produce aromatic sticky rice, strong rice wine, and charcoal roasted fish in villager's homes."

Nguyen Thi Khanh, deputy chairwoman of the HCM City Tourism Association, said the city's tourism sector is proud of the programme, which deserves to be a representative promoting Viet Nam's tourism attractions.

Do Van Buu Dien, CEO of Dien Quan Media which produces the show, said US network Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) would broadcast the first season of Taste of Viet Nam in September.

It had been hosted by renowned Chinese-American chef Martin Yan and broadcast in Viet Nam last year.

He expected to have the series shown in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia next year. — VNS