The table starts at pho.
A short phrase (xin chao) is the door to etiquette.
Food
- pho — pho is a coordinate on the Vietnam table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- bun cha — bun cha is a coordinate on the Vietnam table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- banh mi — banh mi is a coordinate on the Vietnam table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- cao lau — cao lau is a coordinate on the Vietnam table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- fresh spring rolls — fresh spring rolls is a coordinate on the Vietnam table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
Etiquette
- Greeting — xin chao — hello
- Sacred sites — Cover shoulders and knees; read no-photo signs before the caption.
- Tipping — Tipping customs differ; read whether service is already on the bill.
- Queues — Skipping a queue is not a time save; it is a scene you cannot unshoot.
Festival notes
- Tet window — Tet window lands in January — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- Hung Kings / late spring north — Hung Kings / late spring north lands in April — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- National Day travel — National Day travel lands in September — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- south dry peak — south dry peak lands in December — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
Phrases
- xin chao — xin chao: hello. Timing beats accent.
- e-visa — e-visa: pre-arrange entry. Timing beats accent.
- xe om — xe om: motorbike taxi. Timing beats accent.
- Tet — Tet: lunar new year. Timing beats accent.
Culture is a speed, not a checklist. Slow is more accurate.
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