July 11, 2022

Cultural features in the Vietnamese eating habits

Culinary culture is a natural culture formed in daily life. For the Vietnamese, food is both a material culture and a spiritual imprint. Vietnamese people put a lot of heart into each dish they make, from how to choose food, how to prepare food, how to arrange food to how to eat.

The spiritual culture of Vietnamese people in food is the behavior between people during meals, pleasing each other through polite behavior. Eating and drinking has its own rules and ways for each person, each family, each community and the whole society.

Here are the unique features in the culinary culture of the Vietnamese people.

Unique features in the culinary culture

1. Three main meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Vietnamese people have three main meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is no fixed time for each session. Each family can eat at a time that is suitable for the working time of family members, and this also varies by region, from urban to rural. The major component of almost every meal is Rice.

Three main meals in Vietnam - Source: MODOHO

In general, people have breakfast before 09:00 AM and the food might be sweet or salty, which can be Vietnamese sandwiches, “Pho” (noodle soup with beef or chicken) and sticky rice. For lunch, families will dine before 01:00 pm. Those who work in the office will have time to rest and have lunch at restaurants, street vendors or they bring home-cooked rice. Besides, the main meal of the day for Vietnamese people is dinner, usually after 06:00 pm, this is the time when family members gather, chat and eat together. Normally, the woman in the family will be responsible for the cooking, however, nowadays, it is common for families to choose to eat out.

In addition to the dishes mentioned above, many other traditional foods often appear on Vietnamese rice trays. Finding more suggestion for your 3 main meals in Vietnam at: Traditional Vietnamese Food

In addition, in Vietnamese meals, there are a lot of green vegetables. Thanks to the tropical climate and good farming skills, Vietnam always has fresh vegetables all year round. Therefore, dishes with clean vegetables become familiar to every Vietnamese family.

2. Together eating on a tray

In Vietnam, each person will have their own set of bowls and chopsticks, sitting around a round tray and sharing the food on the tray, dipping a bowl of sauce. In the family, good food will be given priority to the elderly and children, showing respect and love. Daily meals are considered an opportunity for family reunion, everyone gathers together happily.

Vietnamese eat together on a food tray - Source: VietnamOnline.com

Vietnamese people often invite guests to their homes and treat them to delicious food to increase cohesion in relationships. When having the opportunity to organize meals, the owner will arrange the dishes on a large tray / table. The meal is not only fun but also shows the typical hospitality of Vietnamese people.

3. Invitation to dinner

For the Vietnamese, during a meal, the younger person must know how to invite the elderly to have a meal before the meal begins, or after finishing eating first, they must ask for permission. It shows politeness, respect for elders, Vietnamese culture and proper behavior.

4. Chopsticks

Unlike Western countries that use utensils such as forks, knives or spoons, Vietnamese people often use chopsticks in meals. This has created a typical cultural identity of Vietnam and Asian countries.

The Vietnamese culture of using chopsticks is very taboo. You must turn your chopsticks or use a set of sharing chopsticks while serving food to others. The practice of using chopsticks to be beautiful and smart, to pick up food and rice to avoid falling, and to make noises is also a sign of family culture education.

Vietnamese use chopstick to eat - Source: luocsutocviet.com

5. Conservation while eating

For Vietnamese people, a quality meal is not about the quantity of dishes presented or each dish more or less, but the warm reunion of family members. As everyone gathers together for dinner to converse and discuss about their everyday lives, conversing is fairly prevalent. It is seen as an excellent opportunity to spend time together and deepen the bonds of affection amongst family members. Moreover, many people still remember stories and advice of their family at meals when they are older and some members have passed away.

Vietnamese talking together while eating - Source: dep.com.vn

Even more so on weekends, during holidays, or during celebrations, meals provide an opportunity for friends and family to gather together and spend time together.

However, the Vietnamese have a saying "Trời đánh tránh bữa ăn", means “don't make a fuss at mealtimes”, during the meal, one must avoid reprimanding, reminding of shortcomings, not quarreling, and should not talk about things that cause trouble, but only talking about happy things, future plans and showing affection, sharing, and encouraging each other.

Not to do during meals

Here are things not to do in Vietnamese meals.

1. Sticking chopsticks in a bowl of rice

Vietnamese people often stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice to worship their ancestors, this way of sticking chopsticks will create a connection with the dead, like burning incense. Therefore, if you perform this action in the daily tray of rice, it will be considered a bad omen, bad luck.

Don't sticking the chopstick - Source: 2sao

2. Leg shaking

Leg shaking while sitting down is not only a bad habit, but according to the Vietnamese concept, it is also a sign of poverty. A person who often shakes his feet is considered to be always in an unstable state and difficult to accumulate wealth.

3. Knocking on the bowl

According to the Vietnamese concept, the sound emitted from knocking on the bowl is said to attract wandering souls to destroy the house. That sound symbolizes bad things, not very favorable for the homeowner.

4. Connecting chopsticks

Do not accept food from other people's chopsticks with your own chopsticks, also known as connecting chopsticks. Instead, offer the bowl to receive the food that someone else has picked up. The act of joining chopsticks is reminiscent of picking up the ashes of the dead after cremation, so this is something that should be avoided.

Another should not do in Vietnamese meals:

- Mixing up the food dishes to find the favorite food is considered impolite in Vietnam.

- Sitting with the hand on chin: this action shows an unhappy attitude, making the meal unhappy.

In conclusion, the above are the unique features in the food culture of Vietnamese people. When it comes to expectations during the dinner, As long as you are polite, respectful, and show good manners, you should have no worries – you can relax, enjoy your meal, and embrace the Vietnamese way of living since there aren't really many rules and rituals.

To finding another customs in Vietnam, visit here: Vietnamese Customs and Traditions

Related article: 8 Delicious Vietnamese Breakfast Dishes

See more: Understanding Vietnam Business Culture

Cultural features in the Vietnamese eating habits

Cultural features in the Vietnamese eating habits

Unique features in the culinary culture