Trump-Kim summit: Vietnam is giving importance to its food and especially, its egg coffee

Hanoi, Feb 27: Hanoi's signature beverage egg coffee was served to at least 3,500 journalists - local and international - who have arrived in the Vietnam capital to cover the historic second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un starting off Wednesday, February 27, Viet Nam News daily reported.

Vu Khac Son, manager of the Giang coffee shop where egg coffee was invented way back in 1946 said his shop had seen footfalls of several international tourists and journalists this week.

"Hanoi City ordered some 3,000 cups of egg coffee for three days [from Tuesday to Thursday]. Our staff will serve 300 cups three times a day. It is an honour for us to serve at such an important summit. This is also an opportunity for this made-in-Việt Nam beverage to be promoted to international friends," he was quoted as saying by Viet Nam News.

The history behind the invention of egg coffee is unique for it was invented by a bartender of Hanoi's iconic five-star Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel named Nguyen Van Giang who used egg yolk as an alternative to condensed milk that was scarce at the time. The product that he invented soon made a name of its own.

The hot egg coffee, when served on a hot water dish to maintain its temperature, is characterised by a creamy taste and thick texture.

Besides the egg coffee, other food items that will be made available at the summit's International Media Centre at Tran Hung Dao Street are 'pho' (noodle soup with beef or chicken), 'xoi khuc' (sticky rice with mung bean and pork) and 'nem' (spring rolls), among others.

Even the prime minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested that the journalists who have arrived in Hanoi to cover the summit be fed the country's special dishes.

Last year, Singapore - the host of the first summit between Trump and Kim - had also attached a special significance to its culinary specialities.