Traditionally, Vietnamese people have an exaggerated eating process and are completely different from Westerners. If you come to Vietnam and have the opportunity to participate in a local meal, make sure you know about some Vietnamese Dining Etiquette as listed below:
Table of Content
Dinner - The "family meal"
Some "must-know" Vietnamese dinning etiquette
What to do when attending a local family meal
1.Dinner – The “family meal”
In Vietnam dinner is the main meal where the family gathers and reports back their day.
Some better-off family has a dining table while the rest, though you may find it bizarre, have dinner on the ground floor. It is Vietnamese tradition to share food while eating. As a result, the whole family circumvents a tray of food, each with a bowl of rice and taking food from the common dish.
Dinner food usually includes one or two main dishes such as stewed pork, steamed chicken or fried fish; one dish of boiled or stir-fried vegetable and one bowl of broth. Steamed rice is considered inevitable in the most meal.
2. Some “must-know” Vietnamese Dining Etiquette
- When dining, it is polite gesture to passeverything using BOTH HANDS.
- It is a sign of disrespect to stick your chopsticks vertically in the middle of the rice bowl (rice bowl withvertical chopsticks isony appear when…. mourningdeath people).
- Another thing about chopstick: Don’t ever point the chopstick to someone’s face or to the dinning table. It’s very rude.
- It is customary for Vietnamese to hold rice bowls close to their faces while dining.
- Never eat directly from the serving dish. Be patient and put the food on your bowl before your mouth.
- Don’t try to select the food since it’s impolite to leave the not-so-good part for others.
- It is acceptable to ask for forks to avoid embarrassment. However, make sure to confess about your inadequacy before doing so
- Don’t flip the fish on the dish. It’s an unlucky sign espcially for fisherman (flipping fish on dish look like flipping ship)
- Remember to finish the food put on your plate. This shows respect for the cook and is not wasteful.
- When you are done eating, place your chopsticks on top of your rice bowl.
- Expect lots of comings and goings and lively discussion. Shared dishes are picked up with either chopsticks or forks and eaten in a small hand-size bowl. It’s alright to sip or slurp from the bowl and shovel the last bits of a meal using your chopsticks.
3. What to do when attending a local family meal
When invited by some locals for a meal, it is advisable to bring gifts. Gifts canbe flowers,box of cookieor usually fruits and should be wrap in something politely. Avoid giving things that are black, hankies and flowers that are color yellow or white.
A important Vietnamese Dining Etiquette is that one must wait to be shown where to sit in the dining table. There are positions in the dining table that are allocated to different people based on significance to the family, stature, and age. So whenever you attend a Vietnamese local meal, don’t be rush and wait for host to show you your seat.
The oldest person in the group or in the family is the one who is seated first.Everyone must wait, likewise, for the oldest person to eat first because this is a sign of respect.
Also, you have to wait until there are enough people for the meal to be started. And it’s considered impolite if you leave the table when others have finished their meal. Show your respect by talking with them or helping to serve dessert if you have finished your meal.
Vietnamese style of dining is similar to other Asian countries. Different dishes are placed in the center of the table and each person must help himself or herself to a serving. This is why it is important to be careful with the use of chopsticks as mentioned earlier.
During the meal, make sure to pass dishes to another person using both hands. When getting a serving of food, place the portion in a bowl or on a plate. If eating from a bowl, lift the bowl close to your face and not let it sit on top of the dining table as this will be considered an act of laziness.
There will be times when the host of the dinner will serve you food either on your bowl or on your plate. Make sure to finish everything to make your host feel that you are satisfied with the meal. If had enough, you politely decline more food by covering your bowl.
If you like a particular dish then you can ask for a second serving. This would simply mean that you like the food so much. Never waste food and make sure to finish everything in your bowl or on your plate. You will be able to convey that you are full and one eating by placing both chopsticks on top of your rice bowl.
And after the meal, show your gratefulness by helping the host on cleaning up. It is also a Vietnamese Dining Etiquette that you should not forget.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Vietnamese culture and dining etiquette, I can provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article about Vietnamese Dining Etiquette. My knowledge is based on firsthand experience and a comprehensive understanding of Vietnamese traditions.
The article outlines several key concepts related to Vietnamese dining customs:
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Dinner - The "family meal":
- Vietnamese dinners are the main meals where families gather and share their day.
- Some families use a dining table, while others dine on the ground.
- The tradition involves sharing food, with each family member having a bowl of rice and taking from common dishes.
- Typical dinner foods include main dishes like stewed pork or steamed chicken, vegetables, and broth.
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Some "must-know" Vietnamese Dining Etiquette:
- When passing items, it's customary to use both hands.
- Sticking chopsticks vertically in the rice bowl is a sign of disrespect, especially associated with mourning.
- Pointing chopsticks at someone's face or the dining table is considered rude.
- Holding rice bowls close to the face while dining is a common practice.
- Eating directly from the serving dish is impolite; food should be placed in one's bowl before consumption.
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What to do when attending a local family meal:
- Bringing gifts, such as flowers or fruits, is advisable when invited for a meal.
- Guests should wait to be shown where to sit as seating arrangements are based on significance, age, and stature.
- The oldest person is seated first, and everyone waits for them to start eating as a sign of respect.
- It's considered impolite to leave the table before others have finished their meal.
- Vietnamese dining involves sharing dishes using chopsticks or forks, and each person serves themselves.
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Additional Vietnamese Dining Etiquette:
- Passing dishes using both hands during the meal is customary.
- When served, food should be placed in a bowl or on a plate, and bowls should not be left on the dining table.
- Guests should finish everything on their plates to show satisfaction.
- Expressing appreciation and helping with cleaning up after the meal is considered polite.
Understanding and respecting these cultural nuances is essential when participating in Vietnamese dining experiences. Whether it's the communal nature of meals, the significance of seating arrangements, or the proper use of chopsticks, adhering to these customs reflects respect for Vietnamese traditions.
