Foreign tourists unfazed by occasional food poisoning threat on streets

Divya, a Malaysian tourist, came to Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month on a five-day trip primarily to explore Vietnamese cuisine.

A self-proclaimed street food enthusiast, she describes herself as "crazy" about Vietnamese street food.

"Vietnamese street food is so diverse. I cannot resist it just because of the fear of food poisoning."

She sampled dishes like sticky rice, pho, banh mi, and grilled foods at popular restaurants and sidewalk stalls.

She says the street food was visually appealing and often came with fresh vegetables.

Vendors at the stalls she visited wore masks and gloves while preparing the food, she says.

"From what I have seen, none of the restaurants I visited appeared unhygienic, though I cannot verify the origins of the ingredients."

She approaches street food with a relaxed mindset, saying even if she were to have stomach problems she will merely consider it "bad luck."

Compared to some other countries, the quality of street food in Vietnam is superior in terms of both flavors and cleanliness, she adds.

Thomas, an American tourist, also expresses fondness for Vietnamese street food, calling it an essential part of his trips to the country.

During his visit to HCMC in October he spent a week exploring an array of local dishes.

"The food in HCMC and other tourist destinations across Vietnam is so diverse. For just VND100,000 you can get a variety of dishes like banh mi, pho, noodles, wontons, banh xeo (sizzling thin pancake with fillings) and banh can (thick pancake with toppings)."

While he is aware of the recent food poisoning incidents, he says he has never experienced any issues himself.

"I am not seriously worried about food poisoning or stomachache."

He usually follows the recommendations of his Vietnamese friends, which makes him confident about the quality of the food he tries.

Food poisoning incidents

The food poisoning incidents at some tourist destinations have sparked concerns about street food safety.

In September last year 150 people, including 33 foreigners, fell ill after eating banh mi from the well-known Phuong shop in Hoi An town.

The eatery was closed for three months and fined VND96 million (US$3,935) for food safety violations.

In November 342 people suffered from food poisoning linked to Co Ba’s banh mi shop in southern beach town Vung Tau.

The shop was fined VND125 million and closed for five months.

Culinary expert Tran Le Thanh Thien says street foods do face safety risks in Vietnam's hot climate, especially since they are often kept at normal temperature for hours, creating ideal conditions for bacteria to proliferate.

Street food stalls are typically compact and designed for mobility, which limits access to electricity, water and sanitation, he further points out.

He says authorities should set up dedicated areas for street food vendors to better regulate the sourcing of ingredients, food preparation and storage.

He also emphasizes the importance of training vendors in food safety practices.

Mai Thuan Loi of the Center for Sustainable Tourism Research and Development, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCMC, says street food plays a crucial role in attracting tourists.

But ensuring food safety is key to instilling confidence in Vietnamese cuisine, he adds.

Australian tourists eat broken rice at a popular restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

The World Food Travel Association estimates that international tourists typically spend 25% on food, which is more than on accommodation or shopping.

It adds that 81% of international travelers consider exploring local cuisine an essential part of understanding a country’s culture.

A HCMC company specializing in street food tours reports that most of its clients are foreigners seeking an authentic cultural experience.

They tourists often prefer the charm of street food stalls over high-end restaurants.

However, to ensure food safety, the company identifies eateries that meet quality standards and require vendors to store food samples as a precautionary measure.

"Street food stalls are often unfairly labeled as unhygienic, but not all of them serve poor quality food," a company representative adds.