The last time Shanghai Daily visited the 120-seater restaurant in September, the food on offer was already extremely pleasant.

A month later, a team from the restaurant visited Ho Chi Minh City to sample the authentic fare.

In their travels, they purchased decorations and crockery to liven up the Dingxi Road premises and new waitress uniforms.

One new addition is the Vietnamese coffee filters. These small pots look like hats and are placed on top of the mugs.

Coffee powder is placed within the chamber, and hot water is allowed to drip slowly into the mug below. The result is called Cafe Sua Nong.

At the restaurant, a clear glass is used, adding to the fun, and condensed milk gives a sweet, milky taste to the dark and robust coffee.

Also served is Cafe Sua Da, or Vietnamese iced coffee. Also made with the filter, this sweet drink that tastes like melted ice cream is perfect for spicy food.

These improvements are barely scratching the surface with regards to the changes afoot. In the upcoming weeks, about 40 to 50 items will be added to the menu, most inspired by the two-week trip to southern Vietnam.

The crispy spring rolls (22 yuan/US$2.75) were just as good as before. Nicely fried without being too thick, the filling was piping hot and the dish came with a few leaves of lettuce to mop up extra sauce.

The best way to judge any country's food is to try its signature dishes.

Thai fare has its green curry, Greek food has its moussaka and Scotland has haggis.

Where Vietnam is concerned, most people have tried pho at one point of their lives or another.

Pho is a dish of beef noodles served in broth. This staple simply highlights the vast improvement of the restaurant in the space of just a few months.

The flat noodles used previously may register better with diners' preconceptions, but the glass rice noodles used now are simply tastier.

The broth base was also rich with flavor.

While there is nothing wrong with rustic food, these places often have limited budgets, to put it mildly. The use of some spices and ingredients is often to mask other shortcomings.

Quan Viet Nam is a restaurant that does not need to resort to such techniques. The beef, in the form of slices, balls, tendon and tripe, was fresh and had great texture.

There was a good portion of meat, so there was no need for a mountain of bean sprouts, unless you simply cannot live without the Vietnamese staple.

Coriander is the most recognizable taste in any Vietnamese soup and it was nice to see the restaurant using more of the herb than before.

Such a move caters to customers who enjoy the fragrant herb.

The restaurant also provides catering for between 40 and 80 people. The food is great for parties and corporate events, and the staff is well-trained in this service.

With Valentine's Day approaching, lovers' thoughts will be on the February 14 meal.

Quan Viet Nam is offering something other than the chocolate and flowers - a commemorative photograph taken in traditional Vietnamese garb will be snapped of couples visiting the restaurant.

This is great for people who have never visited the Southeast Asian nation, but would like to pretend that they have.

The normal menu will also be available and the restaurant will not be charging a premium for the pleasure, providing a reasonably-priced option.

Address: 790-1, Dingxi Road
Tel: 021-6116-9330