Vietnam is the pearl of Indo China. The Vietnamese have a long history, which has been mostly wrought with war, subjugation and colonization. Peace has not been an element of Vietnamese life for centuries, until modern times. Being under the control of so many different entities for centuries has certainly affected the nation as a whole. There must have been great hardship and sacrifice, which is represented, in traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The availability to produce food and subsist would surely have been supplemented with influence from the outside world. However, in many cases, the outside influence has reinforced a sense of pride in Vietnamese culture and outside western influences where subsequently rejected.

The development and distribution of wealth have been minimal but also major factors in the determination of the standard of living in Vietnam. Buddhist philosophical views and in later years the introduction of Communism helped to define Vietnam as we know it today. Let us investigate the major factors both historical and traditional, which have contributed to the development of Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Since 111 BCE, the Vietnamese culture had been locked in a seemingly endless conflict with China
in particular and at times even taking the upper hand. At one point, the Vietnamese had control of Chinese territory all the way up to Canton
in Southern China. At this time it was easier to defeat the Chinese as they where separated into a series of competing Dynasties. Not until 939 BCE, did the Vietnamese liberate themselves from Chinese rule. For the next one thousand years, the Vietnamese people successfully repelled periodic attacks from China, Khmer, Cham and the Mongols.

In 1651 A Jesuit priest by the name of Alexandres de Rhodes helps to create a written language for the Vietnamese. “Jesuit Alexandres de Rhodes publishes in Roma a Latin Vietnamese catechism and creates the Ngoc Ngu, the roman-based script currently used for Vietnamese (Vietnam is only one of three countries in Asia which uses a roman-based script).” Quang-Tuan Luong 2001) this is one of the most significant points in Vietnamese history as they are now able to record their own history.

In 1858, the French Navy invades Da Nang, this is the first appearance of the French as an aggressor. In 1883, Southern Vietnam becomes a French colony. After decades of French meddling in Vietnam the French rule of the North in 1945, ends with the help of the Japanese. In 1954, the Vietnamese forces definitively crush the French Army. The leader of these resistance forces is General Ho Chi Mihn who will later become one of the shrewdest military strategists of modern warfare. Ho Chi Mihn ironically spent some time working in kitchens in France prior to any of the French offensives.

In 1955, in South Vietnam, “Ngo Dinh Diem declares himself president of the
Republic of South Vietnam.” Quang-Tuan Luong (2001) Ho Chi Mihn aligns himself with the USSR and China, and thus the Vietnam War as we know begins. In 1963, the US
government involvement has become very apparent and will soon escalate into the full-blown conflict, which has irrevocably reshaped Vietnamese culture; in fact, more ordinance was drooped during the Vietnam conflict than in all of WWII. The Vietnam War was a bloody war of the likes of which the world had never seen. As you can see from this brief historical overview, I have provided of Vietnamese history that there has been influence in the region since the beginning of written history. How has the endless conflict affected the future, their culture and their cuisine? We will soon find out as we begin to discuss the culture, cuisine and other related factors, which dictate these factors.

After centuries of occupation, civil war and other conflicts the Vietnamese have had to overcome insurmountable odds to subsist. As a result, the population has become extremely resourceful and thrifty by necessity. As in the rest of Asia there is a 100% usage of every product, nothing goes to waste. The Vietnamese have been able to integrate every aspect or element of their resources into Vietnamese cuisine. A subtle style and natural flavors have been used to enhance and indeed improve sometimes nearly inedible food. During all of the wars but in particular, the Vietnam War during the 1960’s & early 1970’s agricultural was difficult at best. The constant fighting, bombing, and Agent Orange drops created a shortage of food for years. Trying simply to maintain their crops in this environment was hazardous at best, consequently, famine and starvation where a very real proposition in daily life. After decades of suffering, they have come to respect and become more in tune with their environment thus, yielding a distinctly unique style. The Vietnamese persevered and have become a notable influence in world cuisine of today.

Geographically speaking Vietnam is approximately the size of Italy
with a population exceeding 76 million people. Much of Vietnam is mountainous or at the very least covered in hills. There are two specific types of environments, the South being warmer and tropical in nature and the north, which is more temperate in climate. In Southern Vietnam, there is a year round growing season, which provides and abundance of fruits and vegetables. Vietnam
depends on large rivers for irrigation, a source of fish and transportation. The Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta provide ample resources to meet the needs of the Vietnamese people.

Her surrounding neighbors Laos, Thailand,
Cambodia and China have influenced Vietnam. In South Vietnam, there is a definitive French influence as well. China
exposed Vietnam
to many customs such as chopsticks and Buddhist philosophy. After a millennia of Chinese occupation, the Vietnamese people than learned to stir fry and deep fry from the Chinese. Thailand,
Cambodia and Laos
are responsible for introducing egg noodles, spices, coconut milk etc. The French introduced bread, milk, butter, cakes, custards and coffee. America’s great contribution to Vietnamese cuisine was ice cream.

Traditional foodstuffs in Vietnam are many but the most notable is rice. Rice noodles are a hallmark of Vietnamese cooking known the worldwide. Condiments such as fermented Fish Sauce a pungent nearly offensive sauce and Nuoc Cham or dipping sauce is the Vietnamese equivalent of Ketchup in America. Any type of aquatic life is considered edible and the seemingly inexhaustible variety of fish is evident. Vietnamese use of spices delineates the characteristics, which help to define their cuisine. A short list of flavorings is as follows parsley, basil, garlic, star anise, lemon grass, coriander and mint. Each of these spices herbs and or grasses lend an original flavor to the cuisine that is unmistakable.

The early introduction of Buddhism has brought more to Vietnam
than philosophy. Most notably, you will notice a very refined vegetarian diet. The monks have developed a flavorful diet, which follows their basic philosophical tenets. These simple approaches have been intermingled with popular culture and are still very evident today.

We cannot fully discuss Vietnam with out exploring holidays and customs. You will find many similarities with Chinese culture after centuries of interaction it shoul come as no surprise. During “Tet Hguyen Dan” the Vietnamese new year which falls under the lunar calendar (just like the Chinese) is the most important holiday. The out with the old and in with the new is part of the “Lunar New Year” celebration. Houses will be cleaned mended decorated and blessed. No cleaning is allowed during “Tet” to avoid sweeping out the good luck. “Tet Hguyen Dan” is a very family orientated holiday and families all gravitate towards home for the holiday. If I where to equate “Tet” in terms of western culture I would say that “Tet” is Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years wrapped into one holiday. The Vietnamese also believe in the “Kitchen God” as do the Chinese, at the end of the year until the a few days into the New Year the Kitchen God which resides in each individual home reports to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor. The Kitchen God than informs the Jade Emperor of the daily happenings at his house. The Vietnamese observe this tradition with bamboo polls, which are decorated with red paper. These polls will remain displayed until the return of the Kitchen God. The Chinese differ in that they burn red paper horses until the Kitchen God returns. Many feasts are enjoyed as they are shared with friend and family. During “Tet” everyone must behave and be respectful much like our holidays in the western world.

Mealtime customs in Vietnam are simple and family style. Dishes are served all at one time and shared communally with each person using their hands or chopsticks to enjoy the meal. It is customary to serve green tea immediately when guests arrive even if they are unexpected. Tea is not served during the meal only before and after. The Vietnamese are famous for their coffee called “Caphe” it is a very strong coffee blended with sweet condensed milk. Tea is still the preferred beverage but “Caphe” is popular in urban Vietnam. Another beverage that is notable is “Soda Chanh” or lemon soda it is a refreshing drink on hot days.Other customs, which revolve around culture and food, are rules that govern hospitality; these rules vary wildly from north to south. For instance, in Southern Vietnam it is considered impolite to refuse a meal; however, you may excuse yourself by stating you have eaten recently, than you are respectfully required to join them for the meal. Now in Northern Vietnam the scenario is diametrically in opposition. You are required to refuse a meal even if you have been repeatedly asked to join them. It is likely that this tradition stems from times of starvation in the North.

It is obvious that many different traditions are intertwined with the historical events that have occurred regionally. It would be impossible to refute that these events have helped to shape the course of history. Culture and tradition adapt to events, which are happening, and the people, which are experiencing them, as they understand them. In short, the way we experience our world is a combination of how our culture was taught to us and how we perceive it today. Food is a part cultural history and must be considered in understanding how a society functions. Vietnam is rich in culture, history and possibilities. It would be interesting to see how Vietnam
develops over another hundred years. Vietnam is a very special country with a very bright culture indeed.