"On the issue of poor hygiene at eateries in Vietnam, many owners blame humid, rainy weather and say they cannot keep things clean. I do not agree with that excuse. People who value cleanliness cannot stand such conditions, so they clean up right away. In other words, they would never let their place get that dirty. The real problem is that hygiene standards are set too low, so it all seems normal.

Speaking of standards, I once saw a staff member at a budget restaurant in Singapore wipe door handles, chair backs, and tabletops every 30 minutes because customers came and went constantly. They picked up even a single strand of hair right away, wiped a few drops of water off the floor, and neatly arranged customers' backpacks if they were left in a mess.

I have seen similar routines in small apartment buildings for rent. In general, everything there stays clean, dry, and organized. Staff may not act on their own, but owners must set high standards and supervise closely. Over time, it becomes a habit."

That was the view of reader TTw after a shop selling crab noodle soup bun rieu in Hanoi's Old Quarter was criticized by a Chinese customer as unhygienic. The shop on Hang Luoc Street was later suspended after complaints about unsanitary conditions.

On March 3, a Chinese tourist surnamed Wang posted on Xiaohongshu about the experience. "For those who value cleanliness, eating in Vietnam can be a real torture," he wrote alongside images of a trash-filled serving area and a damp floor. The story quickly spread across social media, with most people expressing frustration over the poor hygiene.

Inside the kitchen of an eatery. Illustration photo by Unsplash/Gene Dizon

Sharing the same frustration, reader Duy.nkset said: "Busy places often refuse to space out customers to allow time for cleaning. Many times I walk into a dirty restaurant and lose my appetite. A duck vermicelli spot I used to visit now has the same problem. It is run out of a private home and used to be clean, but once it got crowded, they stopped cleaning. Some days the floor is greasy and slippery. I almost fell. They keep letting customers in and then blame staff for not keeping up with hygiene."

Beyond the attitudes of owners and staff, reader Mai.frasersvn said customers also play a role in making eateries look worse: "Cleanliness should be a given. But diners should also keep things tidy. I am shocked to see many people drop food everywhere and leave trash and napkins all over the floor. Whether it is a high-end restaurant or a casual spot, food safety must come first. You do not go out just for the food. You also care about the space. A good dish served in a dirty, messy place still ruins the experience and affects how it tastes."

Reader Minhhang agreed: "I have been to many restaurants in Vietnam and often see people throw napkins straight onto the floor even when there is a bin nearby. I can accept heat or an old space, but I cannot eat in a dirty place. I also feel very uncomfortable using restrooms at eateries. The damp, musty, foul smell is overwhelming."