Venezuela is quite well-known for its gorgeous pageant contestants, sunny beaches, and discomposing economic crisis. However, the South American country canon has a rich literary history with several women contributing to it, and here are the top 3 every book lover should consider checking out.

Ana Enriqueta Terán

Known for her unique wordplay, Ana Enriqueta Terán is one of the most renowned 20th-century poets not just in Venezuela but in the whole world. Her poems are beautifully centered on love, nostalgia, sensuality, and the natural beauty of her homeland. She has a total of 12 published works, including the compilation Casa de Hablas. In 1989, Terán was awarded the Premio Nacional de Literatura, a prize awarded annually in Venezuela. She passed away at the age of 99 in 2017.

Enriqueta Arvelo Larriva

Born in 1886, Enriqueta Arvelo Larriva is one of the founders of the women’s poetry movement in Venezuela but also one of the most well-known avant-garde poets. She’s probably best known for her poems Destino and Mandato del Canto, and the latter got Larriva the Municipal Poetry Prize award in 1958.

Luz Machado

Apart from being a poet, Luz Machado was an all-around Venezuelan icon also recognized as a political activist and journalist. She founded Círculo Escritores de Venezuela (translated as Circle of Venecuealn Writers) and in 1934 developed the magazine, Valores Intellectuales. Luz Machado, along with Terán and Larriva, is considered the trifecta of poetry representative of Venezuela’s female creatives. Her book, Vaso de Resplandor, got her an award in 1946 for the National Poetry Prize.

Venezuela Has a Lot More to Offer

The list of poets wouldn’t be complete without María Calcaño, a revolutionary poet born in 1906, and Sonia Chocrón, the multi-talented and internationally recognized novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and of course, poet born in 1961.

However, Venezuela is the homeland of many well-known female writers such as Tui T. Sutherland, Eva Golinger, Margaret Donnelly, Teresa de la Parra, and many others. The country’s culture shouldn’t be understated, especially when it comes to strong women and their influence on not just Latin American but also the world’s literature.

Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the United States and has one of the most diverse populations in the country. A testament to that is the popularity of pho. This traditional Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, herbs, rice noodles, meat, and sometimes chicken has become the city’s signature dish.

Here are five restaurants in Houston that can satisfy your appetite for pho, regardless of whether you prefer beef pho (pho bo) or chicken pho (pho ga).

Pho Thanh Long

Located in the rapidly growing northwestern parts of Houston, this family-owned Vietnamese restaurant is known for its flavorful pho. The friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere will enable you to enjoy a delicious bowl of soup, as well as other dishes like spring rolls with peanut sauce.

Where Vietnam and France Meet

Les Ba’Get

Les Ba’Get is a casual Vietnamese café known for its pho, bánh mì (Vietnamese iced coffee), and French-influenced pastries. The soup is made with 24-hour simmered rich, dark beef broth and can be flavored with three types of topping, including quail eggs. Other dishes that are worth a try are lemongrass-grille bone marrow and beef tendon with chicharron.

Pho Saigon

This restaurant is situated in a strip mall in the heart of Houston. It features a large menu and is one of the city’s most popular Vietnamese eateries due to its generous portions of pho with delicate yet flavor-rich broths. The side dishes are as tasty as the soup and add to the amazing experience that Pho Saigon offers its guests.

Two Amazing Pho Restaurants on Bellaire Boulevard

Pho Ve Dem Restaurant

Pho aficionados can find Pho Ve Dem Restaurant in a strip mall on Bellaire Boulevard in the western parts of Houston. The cash-only eatery is open from evening to early morning and is the perfect place to eat a flavor-packed soup after a long day at work or a crazy night out with your friends. It’s also known for its real durian ice cream, which will undoubtedly satisfy your sweet tooth.

Pho Dien

Pho Dien lies in close proximity to the above-mentioned Pho Va Dem restaurant. The establishment is notorious for its long lines at peak mealtimes, which also speaks for the excellent quality of their soup. The marinate steak, as well as the freshly squeezed lemonade are also worth a mention.

Finding quality pho in Houston is easy as the city is home to some of the finest Vietnamese restaurants in the United States. For whether you’re a tourist or a local resident, make sure to give them a visit.