8/12/2019 5258
1/2Copyright 2010, The Ohio State University
Family and Consumer Sciences
HYG-5258-95-R
Cultural Diversity: Eating in America
Vietnamese
The Vietnamese come from both remote agriculturaland fast-paced
urban areas of southeast Asia. Most
Vietnamese practice Buddhism, but some practiceConfucianism or
Taoism.
Food Habits and Their Relationship to DietaryGuidelines
The basic food in Vietnam is dry, flaky rice supple-mented with
vegetables, eggs, and small amounts ofmeat and fish. Although
similar to Chinese cooking,
Vietnamese cooking uses little fat or oil for frying.NuocMam
fish sauce is a principle ingredient in almostevery Vietnamese
dish. Vietnamese are fond of fruitssuch as bananas, mangos,
papayas, oranges, coconuts,and pineapple. They are accustomed to
little milk andcheese, and many cannot produce the enzymes neededto
properly digest dairy foods (lactose intolerance). Theydrink a
large amount of hot green tea and coffee withoutadding sugar, milk,
or lemon.
The Vietnamese have three meals a day with somesnacking on
fruits and soups.
Breakfast (light) soup pho, rice or rice noodles;thin slices of
beef, chicken, or pork; bean sprouts;greens; green tea or green
coffee; boiled eggs; andcrusty breadLunch and Dinner (both similar
in food content,with smaller portions for dinner) rice, fish, or
meat;vegetable dish with NuocMam or fish sauce; tea orcoffeeSnacks
fruits, clear soup
Eating Practices, Food Preferences, and FoodPreparation
Techniques
In their home country, Vietnamese either grow foodor purchase it
daily. There are few refrigerators. TeachingVietnamese living in
the United States proper food storageof perishable foods is
important. Encourage home andcommunity gardening as a source of
native vegetables.Soybeans, mung beans, and peanuts are used
extensively.New, inexpensive legumes should be introduced.
Chopsticks and small bowls are used for eating. Bowls
are brought to the mouth to eat.Vietnamese eat a wide variety of
vegetables. Fruit
is served as a dessert and snack. Encourage variety intheir diet
through introducing unfamiliar vegetablesand fruits. Discourage
low-nutrient foods such as softdrinks, candy, and chips.
Teaching ImplicationsEducation is extremely important to the
Vietnamese.
Their learning system emphasizes memorization andrepetition, not
critical study. Vietnamese show great
respect to elders, superiors, and strangers. They claspboth
hands against their chests to welcome. Shakinghands is seldom done;
a smile and nod would suffice.Beckoning with a finger is a sign of
contempt used towardan animal or inferior.
Vietnamese people tend to be excessively polite anddelicate.
Because frankness and outspokenness areusually considered rude,
true feelings are often veiled.Vietnamese people may just smile and
nod when they do
