I have to declare an interest. I am a part owner of this homestay just north of Dien Bien Phu, site of the spectacular defeat inflicted on the French in the spring of 1954 by the Viet Minh, commanded by general Vo Nguyen Giap, one of the great military geniuses of the 20th century. Now, to the breakfast. The buffet is amazing, easily the largest and most varied I have ever seen. No, that’s not true. As will always be the case in a homestay (essentially, the equivalent of B&B), the choice, if any, is limited. I had two breakfasts, the first was banana pancakes, cacao patties, and yoghurt with honey. Very nicely prepared and very tasty. The tea is bags only, again something you have to expect. Or at least, so I thought. Because my second breakfast came with loose leaf tea. It was also spaghetti bolognese, which I’ve never had for breakfast before (different from the famous Stein recipe); and fresh fruit. It is difficult to judge this breakfast, since there was no choice. But everything was very nicely prepared and the loose leaf tea gives another half point, to end up at 4/10.