Menu
Expat.com

FOOD Quality Regulations around Vietnam

Last activity 19 August 2014 by mukii

Post new topic

mukii

How much is it safe to eat out on a road side street vendor in Vietnam ?  i came across a number of media reports on adulteration & fake food ingredients/ meat entering from China to Vietnamese food chain..   
what is the confidence level of local agencies .. how they regulate food around the country .. prevention of contamination and adulteration...

Jaitch

We don't lack regulations, what we DO lack is application and enforcement in VietNam.

Ha Noi, as a larger city, has a lot of dubious quality street food, especially featuring CHOLERA, due often to the poor quality water sources used by food vendors.  It seems that the Health Department there only gets active when complaints come in.

Ho Chi Minh City on the other hand is very, very proactive. Their Health Department goes out looking for trouble. Witness the number of restaurants closed by them, often with a Cong An posted outside their door to enforce closure.

The HCM Health Department also takes food samples from vendors and tests them. They also check food imports coming in to the SaiGon Port. They had a well publicised stand-off with a meat importer a couple of years ago where some dubious meat arrived on a reefer (frozen food ship) and was impounded right at the docks. Stayed there for months under impound. Then, one night, the electrical power 'failed' and they turned into a smelly mess which allowed the city to order them to be removed.

The CGST often stop vehicles travelling overnight to see if there is food on board. Live fowl, and eggs, carried by motorcycles are also their targets. Remember, eggs have to be clearly stamped - not just a felt tip pen mark!

Your best protection, when eating at a street vendors, is YOU. Busy vendors, with line-ups (queues)  exhibit two things: busy (fast food turn over) and line-ups (good reputation).

The problem, though, is water. Do they have a running water supply or does it come from containers? Is the dish-washing water clear and soapy, or greasy and clouded?

I buy Banh Me buns from a store in the Tan My area of Quan 7. On one occasion a server/preparer had been attending her personal hygiene and, without washing her hands, made to get my buns. I said NO, forget it. The owner, who spoke English, asked why, and I explained I like people with clean hands. They wear plastic food gloves now.

Hand-washing is not common. a survey a few years ago of foodworkers and wait staff revealed 94% did NOT wash their hands after attending the toilet!

Nhu Lan Restaurant and Bakery  (get your moon cakes NOW!) on Ham Nhi has excellent cleanliness - they also have a meat factory on Hai Ba Trung near Vo Thi Sau. Their waitresses, if asked for recommendations, will often guide you to the freshest dishes, although most are made daily.

In a supermarket, older women are usually your best guide for the best foods. Vietnamese shoppers must be some of the 'Best Before' readers in the world.

Remember, certain foods are cooked in such a way they don't degrade. Chinese-style barbecue meats have a proven long, unrefrigerated, life as do certain Vietnamese dishes.

But food crooks exist. Look at the ends of stalks of Durian (my favourite) and Jackfruit - if there are any holes (usually three) in the stalk, the chances are they have been injected with Chinese food life extenders.

If street coffee costs less than 20-30 Dong a cup, the chances are it is fake made from soy powder and Chinese chemicals. The TP HCM Health Department roots these things out and closes places where they are made.

mukii

i nice piece of information Mr.Jaitch.. Thanks

Articles to help you in your expat project in Hanoi

  • The healthcare system in Vietnam
    The healthcare system in Vietnam

    Moving to Vietnam is going to present you with an abundance of challenges, from the logistical aspect to customs ...

  • Pregnancy in Vietnam
    Pregnancy in Vietnam

    As an expat couple or an expat in a relationship with a Vietnamese person, the notion of having children has ...

  • Health insurance in Vietnam
    Health insurance in Vietnam

    If you're planning to travel to Vietnam or intend to stay in the country long term, then it would be wise to ...

  • Accidents and emergencies in Vietnam
    Accidents and emergencies in Vietnam

    If you're thinking about moving to Vietnam, may we be the first to congratulate you on this splendid decision! ...

  • Finding a job in Hanoi
    Finding a job in Hanoi

    With Vietnam's new visa regulations, you will need to secure a job before entering the country. Opportunities to ...

  • Accommodation in Hanoi
    Accommodation in Hanoi

    Historic, beautiful, and full of charm. Phrases like this are all synonymous with the wonderful city of Hanoi. As ...

  • Working in Hanoi
    Working in Hanoi

    The traditional capital of Vietnam is quickly becoming a professional's paradise. Attracting over 20,000 ...

  • The most popular neighbourhoods in Hanoi
    The most popular neighbourhoods in Hanoi

    Formerly known as Thang Long, Vietnam's present capital city was renamed Hanoi in 1831. This enchanting, ...

All of Hanoi's guide articles