A Banh Mi for Two

Trinity Nguyen

Aug 2024 · Sold by Henry Holt and Company (BYR)

About this ebook

In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families' histories—and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

In Sài Gòn, Lan is always trying to be the perfect daughter, dependable and willing to care for her widowed mother and their bánh mì stall. Her secret passion, however, is A Bánh Mì for Two, the food blog she started with her father, but has stopped updating since his passing.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese American Vivi Huynh, has never been to Việt Nam. Her parents rarely even talk about the homeland that clearly haunts them. So Vivi secretly goes to Vietnam for a study abroad program her freshman year of college. She’s determined to figure out why her parents left, and to try everything she’s seen on her favorite food blog, A Bánh Mì for Two.

When Vivi and Lan meet in Sài Gòn, they strike a deal. Lan will show Vivi around the city, helping her piece together her mother’s story through crumbling photographs and old memories. Vivi will help Lan start writing again so she can enter a food blogging contest. And slowly, as they explore the city and their pasts, Vivi and Lan fall in love.

Ratings and reviews

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever read. Being a local Vietnamese (and also Saigonese), the description of Sài Gòn, the food, the culture, everything just warms my heart so much. It constantly reminds me of how proud I am to be Vietnamese and how grateful I am our forefathers have fought hard for what we have today. The love story between the two girls is so pure and beautiful. Their storyline with their mothers is so emotionally impactful, it bring tears to my eyes. The story of Vivi feels so real to me. It's because I have a cousin whose story is so similar to her in several details. I bet he would love it when he comes visit Việt Nam next time. Thank you so much, Trinity Nguyen. For being responsible for this wonderful piece of writing. I hope more and more people will know about this book in the future. And if it's possible, I kinda want it to be adapted into a movie haha. It will be absolutely fantastic to see the story on the big screen. Anyway, wish you all the best.

The best part of this novel was "traveling" to Sai Gon, Vietnam, and experiencing the culture and all the street foods (this always made me hungry while reading). The setting is described so well with every sense covered--sights, smells, textures, sounds--that I felt as if I were there alongside Lan and Vivi. I enjoyed the dual point of view that alternated between Lan and Vivi so I could get a sense of what it feels like to be a native of Sai Gon as well as a first time visitor.

About the author

Trinity Nguyen is a Vietnamese American author and a recent graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. She writes messy diaspora kids and queer girls with big smiles and big hearts, and currently lives in Southern California with her cats. A Bánh Mì for Two is her debut novel.