Published:  13:15 Wednesday - December 28, 2016

Vietnamese style chopsticks bring some unique raw material to our line of chopsticks. You'll find chopsticks made with bone, shell and buffalo horn. Vietnamese chopsticks are typically about 9 inches long and have a blunt, only slightly tapered tip. Because Vietnamese chopsticks are handmade from natural materials, they will have more variations in quality and durability than mass produced chopsticks or chopsticks made in China or Japan.

You might have used them in Chinese or Japanese restaurants elsewhere in the world. Or you must have seen it at least once or twice in some exotic magazines or TV show. Whichever the case, you will get used to the culture of chopsticks in Vietnam.

Most food, including rice, noodle or savory pastry involves the use of chopsticks. Some people find it hard and awkward. Some people get it the first time. It is a cultural experience but do not hesitate to ask for knife and fork if you could not manage to master them. Even for Vietnamese people, chopsticks are not used until they get to 7 or 8 years old.

Different from Korean chopsticks which is often made of metal, or Japanese chopsticks which are often colorful toward one end, Vietnamese chopsticks are often made from wood or bamboo. The weight is often light but enough to pick up the food without giving the impression of fragility. Different restaurants have different types of chopsticks and those used in the family will often have the best quality.

In Vietnamese kitchen, a longer and thicker type of chopsticks is used to help the cook prevent overheating her hands from the stove. This is used instead of ladle and extremely useful when it comes to flipping spring-rolls.

Vietnamese chopsticks can also make a great souvenir for those who want to bring an essence of the country back with them. These gifts are often wrapped nicely in bamboo-made cover and tied together with a bow or colorful string. They are sold for less than $4 in souvenir shops in most major destinations.