The invention of bánh mì is a combination of climate, trade and urban layout of Saigon in late-19th century designed by French colonist. When the French captured the area in 1859, most economic activity in the region took place along the Saigon river. The population built makeshift homes tightly bundled by the river banks. Outgrowth from this eventually lead to narrow alleyways between many buildings that is trademark of the city (the Khmer named the region Prey Nokor then French renamed it Saigon and then it was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 after end of Vietnam War). Over decades, the French created European street grids and built wide Paris-type boulevards in the city to funnel commerce to larger markets (also make the city easier to administer). It was at these markets that French baguettes were introduced and traded. Bánh mì bread is known for being flaky and crispy on the outside while fluffier on inside (so god damn good). Two features of Saigon helped create this texture: ▫️Climate: The heat and humidity in Southeast Asia leads dough to ferment faster, which creates air pockets in bread (light and fluffy). ▫️Ingredient: Wide availability of rice meant locals added rice flour to wheat flour imports (which were quite expensive). Rice flour is more resistant to moisture and creates a drier, crispier crust. Fast forward to the 1930s: the French-designed street layout is largely complete. Now, the city centre has wide boulevards intersected by countless narrow alleyways. The design was ideal for street vendor carts. These businesses were inspired by shophosue of colonial architecture to sell all types of goods as chaotic traffic rushed by. Vietnam has some of the most slapping rice and soup dishes, but many people on the move in the mornings wanted something more portable and edible by hand. Bánh mì was traditionally upper class fare but it met the need for on-the-go food. Just fill the bread with some Vietnamese ingredients (braised pork, pickled vegetable, Vietnamese coriander, chilies) along with French goodies (pate). Pair it with cà phê sữa đá (aka coffee with condensed milk aka caffeinated crack) and you’re laughing.