VN Foods perhaps Least Appealing to the Western Palate (or Psyche)

Just wondering where you got the figure of 80%?
I have read numerous articles about this and most only quote around 10% eat dog/cat meat.
-@colinoscapee

From World Dog Alliance, "Over 80% of the population in Vietnam eats dogs, ranking first in the world."

10% seems remarkably low. Perhaps 10% eat dog regularly?

VN Express stated, "... Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million."

That seems to be a lot of dog for 9.5 million people (10%).

I'm also inclined to believe there's a lot of "fibbing" when people are asked whether they consume cat and/or dog.

"https://vietnamnet.vn/en/most-vietnamese-want-ban-on-trade-of-dog-and-cat-meat-survey-811172.html"
-@colinoscapee

I don't doubt that survey, however it was conducted on an urban, educated population. The combined population of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City is about 18 million people.

That leaves 77 million nhà quê (country folk)

(don't trust Google translate on Nhà quê. It's wrong, and derogatory)

Just wondering where you got the figure of 80%?
I have read numerous articles about this and most only quote around 10% eat dog/cat meat.
-@colinoscapee

From World Dog Alliance, "Over 80% of the population in Vietnam eats dogs, ranking first in the world."

10% seems remarkably low. Perhaps 10% eat dog regularly?
VN Express stated, "... Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million."
That seems to be a lot of dog for 9.5 million people (10%).

I'm also inclined to believe there's a lot of "fibbing" when people are asked whether they consume cat and/or dog.
-@Aidan in HCMC

Half a dog per year for the 9.5 million, very feasible.

If 80% eat dog regulary, then we would see many,many more restaurants.

@colinoscapee

Perhaps. But my experience has been that eating at a cat/dog restaurant is often to celebrate special occassions, or to entertain or impress special guests.

Perhaps 2 or 3 meals (~100 grams/meal) per year. This would still qualify as eating cat/dog. Not eating there regularly.

Compared to other VN dishes, cat/dog is not considered cheap by VN standards.

Hard to believe that dogs for the meat trade are mostly/all stolen in Vietnam. China and Korea have lots of dog farms. Dogs are easy to breed, and require a lot less space than hogs. I think that there hasn't been proper research of the subject.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_meat

Sure dogs are stolen sometimes.  I knew a Korean kid in Thao Dien whose family poodle was stolen, while being walked, but not for a restaurant, for ransom. The dirtballs wanted $500 and the police didn't care to investigate the case.

Hard to believe that dogs for the meat trade are mostly/all stolen in Vietnam. China and Korea have lots of dog farms. Dogs are easy to breed, and require a lot less space than hogs. I think that there hasn't been proper research of the subject.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_meat

Sure dogs are stolen sometimes. I knew a Korean kid in Thao Dien whose family poodle was stolen, while being walked, but not for a restaurant, for ransom. The dirtballs wanted $500 and the police didn't care to investigate the case.
-@gobot

I'm unaware of any domestic dog farms in Vietnam, but would be very interested from anybody with information regarding this.

From the link you provided, it says, "...as most of the dogs are pets stolen and killed in brutal ways...". "Dog meat is also believed to raise men's libido". .....Obsessed, much?

Its reference was from a Guardian article, which states, "Every year, hundreds of thousands of pets are snatched in Thailand, then smuggled into Vietnam, destined for Hanoi's top restaurants and street stalls.". Even cheaper than smuggling dogs in from Thailand is stealing them, here. Particularly disturbing in that article is the quote from Duc Cuong, a 29-year-old "doctor". The "doctor", a dog owner himself, states that "(d)og tastes good and it's good for you." Thailand has imposed very harsh laws against dog smugglers, so the smuggling has diminished and domestic dognappings have risen.

The incidence of dog theft, especially in the north, is staggeringly high.

The thieves do not steal dogs to eat. They steal them to sell to restaurants, at attractive prices.

VN is what it is. I have no allusions about being able to change Vietnam (nor would I want to even if I could).

But at the same time, I'll allow Vietnam to change me only to the degree I wish.

This arrangement has worked well for us both (VN and me).

My Vietnamese wife thinks that eating or not eating dog may also  have something to do with religious beliefs,  Buddhists and Cao Dai less likely.  In the Mekong Delta, dogs seem to be everywhere, even wandering through restaurants looking for dropped food.   They are not usually treated as pets are treated in other countries.  They may take up part time residence in a yard and act as watch dogs in exchange for a few scraps.  Pets make eye contact. but I've never managed that with those dogs.

I regularly have an ostrich burger at the South African-run burger bar here in Vũng Tàu.

I used to get the crocodile burger, but everyone was afraid to try it, so he took it off the menu. I'd had croc meat when I lived in Thailand so I know it's pretty good.
As for VNese food, I eat some of the normal stuff but overall it does little for me. Of course, most western food is way too fattening. Fortunately we can get a lot of fresh fruit and veg here and just live off that and maybe some seafood.


-@johnross23

Yep,

We have been vegan for so long now, except at a time that I ate fish. Now down to only beer, including the alcoholic stuff. (occasionally).

So vegan now, plenty of protein otherwise from soy products, peas, beans, etc.,

So long vegan now, driving, or walking through the markets here in My Tho, are somewhat unpleasant, thinking of eating something that once had a heartbeat.

MAc

To the few who haven't lost our sensibilities, Salud, Prost, a votre Santé, Kanpai, Cheers!

-@gobot
Tell me, when drinking wine is it proper etiquette to let the box touch one's lips?

-@Aidan in HCMC

Thank you, ...and I'd like to borrow that 'phrase'

or do you mean the spout, or the nipple?

MAc

Off topic, but I thought I would mention to newcomers to VN...The Dinner Scissors!

And what scissors they are! Oh my goodness. Let's just say that should a surgeon's sternum saw malfunction during open heart surgery, well the VN dinner scissors could easily save the day.

Count your fingers after use

The customs of eating dog meat came from the north and the southerners look down on that practice hence I believe the 80% figure is not correct. The north and central region were prone to famine in the past and on one occasion it had wiped out a few millions of the northerners. According to my grand father he had witnessed some instance of cannibalism during the great famine of WWII. Like most culinary custom it persists long after the need. As for gator meat, my first taste was a bowl of gator gumbo deep in Cajun country and it was delicious .

I'm unaware of any domestic dog farms in Vietnam, but would be very interested from anybody with information regarding this.
-@Aidan in HCMC

I have never seen anything on the scale that I would call a "farm" but I have been in a few homes that had half a dozen dogs in cages being raised for sale.  This was in the south but I think it is unlikely in a major urban center like HCM simply because of lack of space.  Like so many businesses in Vietnam, it seems to be the accumulation of many.small scale efforts.

You might not believe this story but I swear its true. When I lived out in the sticks in Trang Bang we had 2 dogs at the house. When the dog catcher guy was about all the dogs in the neighbourhood knew the sound of his motorbike from quarter a mile away & would start barking like mad & as he passed they would go crazy to get out & try to bite him. 

The customs of eating dog meat came from the north and the southerners look down on that practice hence I believe the 80% figure is not correct. The north and central region were prone to famine in the past and on one occasion it had wiped out a few millions of the northerners. According to my grand father he had witnessed some instance of cannibalism during the great famine of WWII. Like most culinary custom it persists long after the need. As for gator meat, my first taste was a bowl of gator gumbo deep in Cajun country and it was delicious .
-@CHN90

Round where I live Tan Phu HCMC most of the markets have dog meat for sale & even on the street sellers just up the road there is one meat seller, so there must be a pretty healthy market I would think!

I guess many are thinking that dog meat is, as the title of this thread says, not "appealing to the Western palate."  However my personal experience says that if given a truly blind taste test, most Westerners would misidentify dog meat as pork.  Even if they could taste a difference, they might say "like pork only a little sweeter."

I guess many are thinking that dog meat is, as the title of this thread says, not "appealing to the Western palate." However my personal experience says that if given a truly blind taste test, most Westerners would misidentify dog meat as pork. Even if they could taste a difference, they might say "like pork only a little sweeter."
-@THIGV

"...Western Palate (or Psyche)".

Much like how "long pork" would affect my psyche. Sure, it tastes like pork, except...

New arrivals, be advised.

If you order a fried egg(s) for breakfast, you will be served an omelette.

However.

If you order an omelette for breakfast, you will be served a fried egg(s).

Also, a club-sandwich will of course contain chicken. The chicken, however, is in the form of an egg.

2016 research survey on dogs as pets and food in Hanoi and HCMC - https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.10 … -59572-0_8

"Very little has been written on people’s attitudes to dogs in Vietnam. We collected data on this in two ways. First, relevant information on the history and current status of dog use and consumption was sourced from academic literature, newspaper reports, websites, and animal welfare organizations. Second, in 2004, the polling agency Market & Opinion Research International (MORI) was contracted to survey 1000 adults (15 years and above) in the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City about dogs. Respondents were asked about their attitudes to the roles that dogs played in their society and whether or not they would support a ban on eating certain animals, including dogs. Of the participants, 46 % were male and 54 %female. Fifty-two percent of participants owned pet animals (this was the percentage for both cities): overall, 27 % had dogs, 30 %cats, 5 % a bird, and 6 %pets which were categorized as “other,” for example, fish, guinea pigs, and monkeys. The survey showed that, overall, people were supportive of the use of dogs as pets, assistance animals and guard dogs, but were against the use of dogs as food. In line with this, most would support a ban on the eating of dogs. However, there was a major difference of opinion when residents of the two cities were compared: the majority of people living in the north (Hanoi), as opposed to the south (Ho Chi Minh City) were actually supportive of using dogs for food and would not support a ban on the eating of dogs."

Other research suggests that 6.3% of Vietnamese eat dogs, mainly at month's end, to ward off bad luck. That's approx. 6 million people eat 5 million dogs or less than one dog per year. It could be accurate.

with regard to food in Vietnam, apart from living here and researching the food chain for five years up to June 2019, I have been back here since June 2022 as a social scientist working with a team of natural scientists, and we are researching and advising the VN government on food safety and risk management - its a five year overseas government-funded project. I humbly suggest that all fruits and vegetables be washed thoroughly before consumption. This goes for washing the skin of oranges before you peel and prepare them to eat. Same with dragon fruits which can be highly contaminated with pesticides. Try to avoid morning glory, especially in Saigon, as its often highly contaminated. In 2019, the HCMC food safety authority found that more than 30% of the farmers supplying morning glory to Saigon markets used discarded motor oil on the plants. There is also the water-grown morning glory that grows in highly contaminated water. Avoid street meats, especially pork, as human sedatives are often given to the pigs in urban backyards to keep them from squealing as they slaughter them - the drugs are still in the meat. I have many resources on this and suggest, if interested, you go to Google Scholar and type into the search "contamination of fruits and vegetables in Vietnam" 

Expats, travelers, and tourists who enjoy a good coffee, take note.

I buy my coffee beans, and have them ground, at a small Coffee Specialty shop in Duong Dong. Excellent Arabica, at 180K/Kg.

There are two versions of a much more expensive coffee, selling at 250K/Kg (Robusta bean), and 400K/Kg (Arabica bean), named Cafe chồn. (Google translate gives the same translation for chồn as being either weasel or a mink,. In actuality, the animal is a civet, VN name being cầy hương)

I'm assuming the price increase is due to the intensive(?) labour involved in the (ahem) picking, washing, roasting process.

Cafe chồn comes from coffee beans (usually Robusta) which have been eaten by a civet (mink/weasel-like animal) and undergo a partial fermentation within its gut.

The undigested beans are then harvested from the civets fecal matter.

Oh, yummy.

@Aidan in HCMC

Hi Aidan,

I have tried "weasel" coffee at a coffee plantation in Dalat and it was remarkably good, but not good enough to persuade me to pay the premium price.

Century Eggs! I love 'em, but I can understand others not feeling the same.

Delicious when added to chau, on bread, or straight up.

Covered in clay and rice husks, it is a dish which literally prepares itself (though the prep time would make DIY'ing it a bit bothersome) !

Wikipedia has an excellent page with details on history, methods of production (traditional and modern), uses, misconceptions, and safety. Link here.

If you've never tried one, my advice is to take small bites Enjoy!

(note; remove/discard the clay which is covering the egg prior to ingesting!)

Rumors Regarding Urine

Many people avoid eating century eggs because of the rumor that they have been soaked in horse urine. There isn't any solid evidence that horse urine is involved in the curing, especially considering the fact that urine is slightly acidic, not basic.  source; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_egg

@Friday with Mateo

Good for you, I was born and raised in Vietnam. Mam tom, I won't touch "picky eater", and raw fish sauce!!!

If one looks at food as "medicine" vice "taste" ... as humans have done for millions of generations ... eating with a medical purpose is a whole different thing. It is only recently that common folks eat for pleasure ... and nowadays, "taste" drives food choices over medicinal value in food choices. Food as Medicine is a new emerging field in the medical world and I personally find it fascinating and very worthy of study. I follow Drs William Li, Eric Berg, and Jason Fung ... all brilliant in my view. There is an explosion of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and hypertension out there these days .... especially here in VN. Used to be rare to see chubby children in Asia ... but nowadays, there are plenty of fats kids with diabetes or pre diabetes. Fast food, processed food and refined sugar products are the main culprits me thinks. #deliciouspoison
-@Friday with Mateo

Yeah, I've got the same interest. I find what I've seen (online and in English and mostly by expats, of course) of Vietnam's food culture fairly alienating. It's a beautiful tropical country with some of the most famous cuisine of the world but I see almost no subculture interested in whole foods or healthy eating. It seems a waste to douse all those veggies in oil and sugar and to fixate on noodles and white rice. I've looked a little for health-oriented Vietnamese recipes or how to find out about Vietnamese ingredients without the processed food without too much luck.

@john426 Does buying organic evade these issues?

(Hope double-posting is OK, I'm new here.)

...I've looked a little for health-oriented Vietnamese recipes or how to find out about Vietnamese ingredients without the processed food without too much luck.
-@dustanddirtofheaven

I'm guessing you are looking by yourself.

It's not difficult to find tours with a healthy food theme, especially here in Hội An, where a significant part of the land within the city limits is dedicated to organic farming.

But even without that, it's been my experience in other provinces that the right housekeeper/cook/girlfriend/wife can be quite helpful with healthy meal preparation that avoids sodium, sugar (nước mắm), fat & processed foods.

Yes, we shop mostly at the local fresh market without much concern for "organic" labels, but a diet high in fresh veggies, fruit & meats using high-quality vegetable/grain oils without much added salt & no added sugar is just what my body needs.

My wife was remarking just this morning how mostly following my "Vietnamese food" diet has had positive health benefits for her, compared to some of the Vietnamese crap food she was often eating from street food vendors when she was single.

Fish sauce, M.S.G. sugar the holy trinity of street food cooking is indeed hard to avoid, my wife always says when I ask no M.S.G. or sugar "good luck getting anything without" - hard to argue with that.

Fish sauce, M.S.G. sugar the holy trinity of street food cooking is indeed hard to avoid, my wife always says when I ask no M.S.G. or sugar "good luck getting anything without" - hard to argue with that.
-@AndyHCMC

Definitely true in restaurants and eating at other people's houses.

And don't get me wrong, I would eat much more fish sauce and sugar, if I could on my diet.

Since the previous poster was asking about "recipes", I assumed he wants to cook healthy food at home.

it's pretty simple to cook the same recipes but just not add those things.

It only takes about 21 days for taste buds to adjust to new restrictions.

Definitely true in restaurants and eating at other people's houses.

And don't get me wrong, I would eat much more fish sauce and sugar, if I could on my diet.

Since the previous poster was asking about "recipes", I assumed he wants to cook healthy food at home.

it's pretty simple to cook the same recipes but just not add those things.

It only takes about 21 days for taste buds to adjust to new restrictions.
-@OceanBeach92107

Of course it's easy enough to just exclude things, but that's different from thoughtful and well-tested recipes being written with health first and foremost in mind, rather than hyperpalatability. I'd rather be eating something deliberately designed than modify something myself and get something with only half of its intended flavour. Obviously, it's fair enough that a country like Vietnam is more urgently hungry for calories atm than, say, phytonutrients, but I hope that a bigger food-as-medicine subculture emerges (or maybe it already exists, and I just haven't looked hard enough at Vietnamese-language sources). What you describe in Hội An sounds nice.

Things may be changed but I don't think I ever saw anything labelled "Organic" moving through normal trade channels in Vietnam.  That is not to say it does not exist but you may have to buy directly from the farm(s).  Perhaps in specialty shops District 1 but we never shopped there.  Even if you found something labelled as such in Vietnam , could you really trust it any more than a Louis Vuitton handbag you bought in Ben Thanh Market.

My internist felt that the rate of diabetes was high in Vietnam, particularly in the South because of too much sugar consumption.  It may not only be cooked food.  I think there is an awful lot of "Coca" and the like being consumed.  My wife learned to avoid sugar in cooking because of her mother's Northern origin and I almost never drink sodas by choice.  Ba Muoi Ba on the other hand is a good source of calories.   Modern Vietnamese are not facing a caloric shortage except perhaps only in a few relatively rare pockets of rural poverty.  In fact there may be signs of rising obesity.  The problem with doing your own cooking as a Western bachelor is that you will be missing out on one of the most desirable aspects of life in Vietnam, the food. You just have to learn to seek out the places with healthier menus.

By the way, I don't have any citations, but I believe that serious dieticians and research physicians feel that the jury is still out on MSG.

@THIGV There's a few organic shops here in D2, but they are light on organic meats. Mostly fruit and veg.

@THIGV There's a few organic shops here in D2, but they are light on organic meats. Mostly fruit and veg.
-@RTLisSB

As most of the beef in Vietnam is either local young beef (thịt bò non)  or AU/NZ grass fed you could probably feel fairly safe with it.   Pork on the other hand is 100% local or maybe even from China so you pay your money and take your chance.  If you buy your chicken alive from the ladies selling on the side of the road, it's probably "free range."

Definitely true in restaurants and eating at other people's houses.

And don't get me wrong, I would eat much more fish sauce and sugar, if I could on my diet.

Since the previous poster was asking about "recipes", I assumed he wants to cook healthy food at home.

it's pretty simple to cook the same recipes but just not add those things.

It only takes about 21 days for taste buds to adjust to new restrictions.
-@OceanBeach92107

Of course it's easy enough to just exclude things, but that's different from thoughtful and well-tested recipes being written with health first and foremost in mind, rather than hyperpalatability.

Yet the ideas I've mentioned are exactly that: It took years of thoughtful consideration (and finding the right wife) for me to come up with and fully embrace the healthiest dietary plan for me, even if initially my new choices were barely palatable.

I'd rather be eating something deliberately designed than modify something myself and get something with only half of its intended flavour. Obviously, it's fair enough that a country like Vietnam is more urgently hungry for calories atm than, say, phytonutrients, but I hope that a bigger food-as-medicine subculture emerges (or maybe it already exists, and I just haven't looked hard enough at Vietnamese-language sources).

For centuries, Vietnamese people--especially the significant portion of the population who are vegetarians--have been deliberately designing the healthiest & tastiest menus possible for them, given the existing resources available.

I've lost count of the number of times a Vietnamese woman has offered me a portion of some unfamiliar vegetable/leaf/herb/tea/fermented food with the comment "it good for you".

Long before phytonutrients were assigned that designation by modern scientists, Vietnamese people have understood that certain foods contain something that promotes wellness and/or is good for what ails you.

Of course, everyone doesn't follow the sage advice of their grandmothers, with conquest (French bread & western processed foods) and urbanization having heavily impacted dietary habits here, giving the casual observer the impression that Vietnamese people are and have always been clueless about healthy food options.

Hopefully you will come to this country open to the possibility of learning something you don't already know.

What you describe in Hội An sounds nice.
-@dustanddirtofheaven

I truly do hope you will feel welcome in this country and have a great life here.

Should you decide to visit the Hội An area, please send me a PM and we will make ourselves available to help introduce you to the area.

Things may be changed but I don't think I ever saw anything labelled "Organic" moving through normal trade channels in Vietnam. That is not to say it does not exist but you may have to buy directly from the farm(s). Perhaps in specialty shops District 1 but we never shopped there. Even if you found something labelled as such in Vietnam , could you really trust it any more than a Louis Vuitton handbag you bought in Ben Thanh Market.

Wait!! What?! You mean the 350K L.V. purse I bought as a gift might not be authentic? Next you'll be telling me my 1t VND "Rolex" is fake! I refuse to believe it !

My internist felt that the rate of diabetes was high in Vietnam, particularly in the South because of too much sugar consumption. It may not only be cooked food. I think there is an awful lot of "Coca" and the like being consumed. My wife learned to avoid sugar in cooking because of her mother's Northern origin and I almost never drink sodas by choice. Ba Muoi Ba on the other hand is a good source of calories.

Diabetes in VN is actually being recorded at an alarming epidemic level rate. From what I've read/heard, this is due to the trifecta of a high consumption of white rice, the use of low quality cooking oils (esp. palm oil!), and the over consumption of refined white sugar and/or corn syrup, the source of which is mainly from prepackaged/precooked processed "modern" foods. Each of these are easily avoided, but if consumed only occasionally and in moderation I cannot imagine there being long term health effects to otherwise fit individuals.

Modern Vietnamese are not facing a caloric shortage except perhaps only in a few relatively rare pockets of rural poverty. In fact there may be signs of rising obesity.

Absolutely agree, especially evident in the children of well-meaning, nouveau affluent parents. A pity, indeed.

...one of the most desirable aspects of life in Vietnam, the food. You just have to learn to seek out the places with healthier menus.

Yes! I honestly believe that by simply varying your selection of dishes one will find no problem in maintaining a well balanced, nutritious diet here.

By the way, I don't have any citations, but I believe that serious dieticians and research physicians feel that the jury is still out on MSG. -@THIGV

In the case of MSG, I'm okay in following the FDA's science.

Returning to the topic of this thread, especially that of the "Psyche", a word to all newcomers.

If displaying even mild symptoms of orthorexia, abandon hope all 'ye who enter here

For centuries, Vietnamese people--especially the significant portion of the population who are vegetarians--have been deliberately designing the healthiest & tastiest menus possible for them, given the existing resources available.

I've lost count of the number of times a Vietnamese woman has offered me a portion of some unfamiliar vegetable/leaf/herb/tea/fermented food with the comment "it good for you".

Long before phytonutrients were assigned that designation by modern scientists, Vietnamese people have understood that certain foods contain something that promotes wellness and/or is good for what ails you.

Of course, everyone doesn't follow the sage advice of their grandmothers, with conquest (French bread & western processed foods) and urbanization having heavily impacted dietary habits here, giving the casual observer the impression that Vietnamese people are and have always been clueless about healthy food options.

Hopefully you will come to this country open to the possibility of learning something you don't already know.

I truly do hope you will feel welcome in this country and have a great life here.

Should you decide to visit the Hội An area, please send me a PM and we will make ourselves available to help introduce you to the area.
-@OceanBeach92107

I certainly hope I didn't give the impression that I don't think there's any attention paid to health in Vietnamese cuisine. Discovering those vegetables/herbs/fermented foods and integrating them into my diet is exactly what I'm after and one of the many things I'm looking forward to in the country. I just haven't had much luck doing so from afar yet. I look up Vietnamese cookbooks and Vietnamese food vlogs (all in English of course) and I see bread and noodles and deep-fried plantains. It goes without saying that this is only part of the story-- the fact that this is what's emphasised in the sources I've found at the expense of what you're describing is what I've found alienating.

Thank you for your kind invitation. Let me arrive in one piece first haha, and then I may even take you up on it.

Foreigners shocked by eating dog in Vietnam (Link to VN Express Int'l July 10, 2023)

snippets from article;

"According to data provided by international animal welfare organizations, around 5 million dogs and 1 million cats are trafficked and slaughtered every year in Vietnam, despite WHO’s warnings about the risks of getting infected with viral diseases with dog meat consumption."

"Many foreigners in Vietnam believe people have freedom in their choices of food, but the underlying problems of dog meat consumption in Vietnam is how it closely relates to pet dogs stealing (sic)." (note: agreed)

"Seeing dogs being stolen and slaughtered in Vietnam, Leopold stopped his business and started pursuing rescuing animals in 2010. ... He worked in various animal welfare organizations until a Canadian organization contacted him and offered to help."

"Many young adults called me and asked me to help them take care of their pets after their family decided to eat them, (sic)"

Lived in Vietnam nearly 20 years now...can't stand most of the food due to the fish oil, chilies and smell.  As to eating dog...don't care for it boiled, but tastes like meat if fried.  I've eaten almost everything that has 'meat' on it.  Grew up enjoying the countryside and wooded areas and forests. 

If you can't stand the heat get of the country. No excuses.

If you can't stand the heat get of the country. No excuses.
-@Eile

Eile, who are you addressing?

Please use the "reply" or the "quote" function. (when replying to an older post, the "quote" function is preferable)

If you can't stand the heat get of the country. No excuses.
-@Eile

Aren't you the person who specifically asked about the pros AND CONS of life in Vietnam?

Have you already arrived at the ivory tower of your "Danang Resort"?

"I have booked accommodation and n Da Nang resort for one month and will see how things go while I am there.

"I am wondering if someone on this forum has had lots of time spent in Vietnam and might shed some pros and cons about his or her time in this beautiful country. Eileen"

It appears you weren't serious.

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