Just outside Hanoi there is one of the country's two largest snake villages devoted to every aspect of the snake -- raising, pampering, preparing, selling and exporting. In economic terms -- a classic industry cluster; a self-reinforcing collection of businesses that makes it hard for new competitors to enter the market.
All kinds of snakes are important to Vietnamese cuisine and culture, but the really good stuff -- the snakes that are just too challenging to grow in your own backyard -- well, those are all poisonous and they are all at Snake Village.
We drove around the village to get a sense of the place before settling on one of the finest snake restaurants in the country. Tuesday night is two snake beers for a buck night, so the place was packed. The patrons were mostly couples but a few families. The restaurant was large and elegantly appointed -- there's very good money in the snake business.
The menu offered a delightful array of snake meals - fried snake, boiled snake, dried snake, snake soup, snake roll-ups, snake-on-a-stick. The owner let us visit the kitchen to assure freshness of supply and cleanliness of preparation.
But what really intrigued us was the poisonous snake wine. (see Snake Photo Gallery). You just can't find these vintages back in the States (like the French - they keep the good stuff for themselves).
The Cobra wines, though expensive, are a particular favorite for men given the inherent benefits of the drink. While the FDA won't let wine producers make specific claims, a wink & a nod (and graphic hand gestures) sufficed.
Think Red Bull with Serious Benefits, but with less carbonation and more little slimy pieces of snake in your glass. [Label Warning: "If effects last for more than four days, consult your veterinarian."]
Sadly, they did not have a gift shop. Glen and I explained that we had a lot of experience in "themed restaurants" and tried to convey the profit margins on logo T-shits, key chains, shot glasses, posters, etc. We saw Samuel L. Jackson as the spokesman, but it just didn't translate.
So, what dishes and drinks did we enjoy? They have a saying there: What Happens in Snake Village Stays in Snake Village - or will at least dissipate over the next few days.







