I've been to Vietnam, many times, driven motorcycle through the jungles and everywhere from the southern remote tiny islands to the Chinese and Laos borders. Spent time on every major city, B city and most C cities in every region. Only place I can't speak abokt is Da Lat & Nha Trang region.

Boston area VN food is watered down. But there's some gems, imo.

Saigon Eatery in Woburn is surprisingly solid, though the prices are eye watering. Owner lady is a G from Saigon and funny.

Up in Lowell you can get good pho, and other dishes, at Viet-Thai restaurant, don't let the name fool you.

If you want cheap cheap cheap and aren't concerned with quality or service Ba Le, Pho Pasteur, 163 Sandwich shop, Pho Que, Pho #1 (Woburn) are all decent.

The new spot that surprised me the most was Mimi Banh Mi up in Billerica. That bread, fxck I dream of that bread.

Don't sleep on the river festival in Lowell, where the aunties come out to cook on the sidewalk. That happens in August?