In the past two years, Hanoi city authorities have approved so many fast food shops and they are all pretty successful. Maybe I am silly for not eating this kind of food. Most of my friends love it and kids do, too. These restaurants are always busy for lunch and dinner, especially at weekends.
In two months time, two more outlets are supposed to be opening in the best location in Hanoi, right next to Hoan Kiem Lake. They are Starbucks coffee and Pizza Hut. Sometimes, I wonder why people keep going to these places? The food is bad, full of oil and fat but I've realized from people I've talked to that they love eating fast food because they want to try new things and for young Vietnamese people, it's a trend. They think that's what young peole do in western countries. Is that a good idea? Not for me! I prefer eating at the local eateries or home cooked meals which are healthier and cheaper.
My friends think I'm being difficult when I refuse their invitations to go to KFC for a feed. What do you think about fast food? Does it have anything positive about it? I wonder what will happen to future generations of Vietnamese?
17 comments:
I think it is horrible that fast food joints are opening up in Vietnam :( We Americans over here usually eat fast food because there is no other alternative since we are always on the go and need something quick to eat, but if we had time, then I'm sure most of us would sit down and have a nice, relaxing meal. Not only is fast food unhealthy for you, it can also be addicting, and then lead you into a depressing mood later ( Like in the movie Super Size Me). Whenever I go to Vietnam, one thing I enjoy is the local food, because it requires so much labor and reminds me of home, it has our culture infused in it. To see that fast food is being offered in such a lush country is saddening.
I think people have the right to eat whatever they want, so if Vietnamese people want that stuff, they should have it; however, I grew up in Vietnam at time when we had NO fast-food, so I never liked it (and still don't). I just hope that Hanoi's cool restaurants and cafes won't be replaced by these chains.
Hello! Just thought I'd drop a comment in your blog, since I have been reading it for the past few weeks, planning for my trip to Vietnam next month. I personally hate Starbucks (the coffee is just appallingly bad and appallingly expensive) and Pizza Hut and I'm from New York, where we have a ton of those shops around. As a rule, I try to eat at non-chain restaurants. Thank you for your beautiful pictures and commentary. I have really been enjoying your blog!
Starbucks? Oh no, not again. You see Starbucks at every corner where I live, Southern California. I'd almost fainted when I saw it again inside Forbidden City in China and in Vancouver,Canada. I think it took away the cultural characteristic of those famous destination. And now, in Viet Nam? I can't believe it! I'm going to Ha Noi soon and you tell me I have to see this eyesore Starbucks instead of small stalls selling delicous Vietnamese coffee? ...Sigh.
Chi Van
I think it's weird that young people in Vietnam think it's what young westerner's do here in America, when the facts is, it's not. I'm a 18 and living in America, i never eat at fast food restaurants nor do any of my friends. The thought of hanging out in a fast food joint is just out of the picture for us. Personally, for me and my friends we generally tend to look for places that are not chain franchises to eat out. Majority of the time people go to eat at fast food restaurant because it is fast and cheap. To me, the reason why people in America do it is because of the fast paced life here ( for me at least). People are always in a hurry to move from one place to next, the idea or thought of getting a delicious meal in can be a horror. Being a student myself, I know that it's already hard to fit in an hour lunch when i have classes to attend and papers to write. Then again, I can understand how it can popular since there aren't many fast food restaurants in Vietnam. There's always that saying that "People want what they cant have" to American, fast food may considered ordinary and unappealing, but that is because America has fast food restaurants EVERYWHERE! However, in Vietnam where fast food restaurants are limited, people are more attracted to it. It can be a trend and may soon fade. I dont like the fast food franchises and I think they are actually killing the people who put effort into making good food. I support your decision for not going to KFC, the fats clogs arteries anyways. If you want to get your ateries clogged, get it from eating something you actually enjoy.
When I was in Vietnam, I enjoyed the occasional visit to KFC or a shrimp burger from Lotteria. I don't think the food at these places is particularly good, but it's just nice to have a break from eating Vietnamese food all the time. I also liked going to Japanese and Korean restaurants for the same reason. Vietnamese food is great, but variety is good too.
Long time no see!! I just had some health issues concerning my diet. Let's just say a McDonald's hamburger would give me an increased likely hood of getting a gout attack. I'm just recovering from one right now. I ate at least 10 hamburgers last week from various fast food joints. I'm not doing that again. The pain was excruciating.
Fast food chain restaurants do tend to "take over." They are easy business models people can buy, sell and manage, and the whole point is to make money while pretending to provide people with convenience.
It is convenient to eat at these, and they abound in poorer neighborhoods where no one can make any money selling regular, home-style food (more expensive to make, since it does not come in ready-to-use portions from factories and requires thought and care). However, when they are the majority restaurant, it's depressing.
And extremely unhealthy. And addictive, yes.
The second anonymous post interests me. My friends and I do not go out to fast food on purpose, but when traveling. When you are driving somewhere for a vacation or to visit a friend or the family, there is really no where to eat except McDonald's and such, positioned near the highways. And in that case, time is an issue.
I'm a vegetarian and I don't eat fast food because the vegetarian food they offer is very limited. I love small restaurants and cafes because of the flavours and variety of the food they offer.
Hi all, thank you very much for your comments.
Have a nice weekend!!!
as a overseas vietnamese, i struggle to understand why vietnamese would want to eat such food. i live in england and never eat such food unless i have to. i miss traditional vietnamese terribly. having said that, my wife , who is vietnamese , say that these fast food joints are clean and efficient. and they are different from the normal vienamese food so , it is the novelty and hygiene. and i guess, for teens and going out, it is more trendy too.
tho tran. manchester, england
The rumor mill has it that McDonalds will open a huge franchise on Dong Khoi St, smack down in the middle of Saigon. And it's going to be jam packed of course...
Cool blog VietGod. I've been to VN probably 10 times already and reading your post brings back great memories. Back to the topic...I think VN people like these fast food joints because its a status symbol more than anything. Food is more expensive than the street vendors and usually takes more time to order.
Viet Kieu from Boston, Massacusetts
I think people have the right to eat whatever they want, so if Vietnamese people want that stuff, they should have it;
This blog is very good!!!
In my view one and all should browse on this.
No doubt, the chap is totally fair.
Post a Comment