Some people would never eat dogs, or even their pet dog, unfortunately the reality is, that some people do, so lets be brave and discuss it. For some, it’s held in the regard as something like a pet pig or pet lamb, which is later eaten by the family. Of course the parents don’t tell the children and it is a trick normally used by farming families.
I know we have a different relationship with different animals. For me being vegetarian no animal is acceptable but for many others it can be a million and one variations of what is acceptable and what is not.
For some Vietnamese it is ok and common to eat dog meat, it is tradition, it is normal and it as easy as that. For many Westerners it is taboo, and never seen acceptable at any stretch of imagination. Every one’s comment and opinion is right as it comes from their perspective, so lets here pack our own cultural preferences away and consider this.
For those Vietnamese who eat dog, the time to eat it is actually done only at the end of the month. Men, you might want to pay attention here as it is said that eating dog meat makes you strong in all the right places (increases male virility).
One massive bonus for those unlucky people out there, it is a fact that eaten at the end of the lunar month should bring you good luck and get rid of any bad luck you have already experienced.
People also eat Dog meat (thịt chó) for as they enjoy it as a delicious dinner, if you are contemplating trying dog meat on your next trip to Hanoi, you may want to try some of these dishes.
- Thit cho hap – steamed dog meat
- Rua man – steamed dog in shrimp paste, rice flour and lemon grass
- Doi cho – dog sausage
- Gieng Me Mam Tom – Steamed dog in shrimp paste, ginger, spices and rice vinegar
- Thit cho nuong – grilled dog meat
- Canh Xao Mang Cho – Bamboo shoots and dog bone marrow
- Cho Xao Sa Ot – Fried dog in lemon grass and chili
In 2010 dogs were not commercially farmed. People raise puppies for selling when fully grown or in need of money. Travelling buyers cruise the streets asking for dogs or catching the odd stray so if you live in Vietnam and own a dog, keep it your yard.
I know animal activist rights could jump up and down about this article, that is ok, this is meant to inform people how different we all are, but also how same we are. Most nationalities eat some type of meat which could be considered as disgusting by vegetarians.
If you are looking for a restaurant in Hanoi, these are dotted around the city, there used to be lots to chose from on Au Co Road, Tay Ho – just look for ‘thịt chó’ in the name, they are only open at certain times of the lunar calendar so just got to be in. They say in Hanoi is the place where most of the dog meat is eaten in Vietnam, so if you want to try it, its the place.
Around Hanoi city there are little restaurants on the side of the road, and they are nothing to the locals, just another meat like beef or chicken.
