Vietnamese people love drinking! We have different types of Vietnamese beers, and we drink them for many reasons. We drink mostly to show our hospitality but also at special celebrations and when our mood is good or bad. Besides joining a Vietnamese family meal, drinking together is one of the best occasions for you to bond with local people. Drinking is fun, and drinking is sharing, but sometimes it may be a competition. So, here is some information to help you “survive” when having a drink with a Vietnamese.
Some Slangs You Would Need to Know When Drinking with A Vietnamese
These are some words or phrases that Vietnamese people use a lot while drinking. Learning some of these phrases can help you quickly integrate into the fun at the table.
“Nhậu” /ɲəw˨˩˨/ is a Vietnamese word for the occasion that people gather to eat and drink. If a Vietnamese asks you to “đi nhậu,” it means that he or she wants to invite you to have some alcohol, which, most of the time, is beer. Vietnamese people love to nhậu on Friday nights and weekends, but nhậu is not about partying. There is no need to come to bars or clubs, and it does not include dancing or fancy dressing-up. It can happen in small restaurants, sometimes on the sidewalk, with a plastic desk and tiny chairs, or at home with a barbecue. No matter where it is, it is when people gather to converse, eat good food, and get drunk together.
“Một, hai, ba dzô” /moat hi bah yo/ is the Vietnamese slang for “Cheers!”. While “một, hai, ba” means one, two, three, “dzô” is about the series of activities to clink your cup of beer with others. Vietnamese people like to say this sentence as loud as possible to show their happiness and enthusiasm.
“Cạn li” /kan lee/ – which is equivalent to “Bottoms up!” – can be used to replace “Một, hai, ba, dzô.” In Vietnam, there is a dubious conception that the more a man can drink, the stronger he is. Therefore, this phrase is used quite a lot during nhậu. Another phrase with the same meaning is “trăm phần trăm” /cham fohn cham/, which indicates drinking 100% of the glass.
See more Fun and Useful Vietnamese Slangs
Some Facts About Drinking with A Vietnamese
Although we all know beer is best when served in cold bottles, Vietnamese drink beer with ice. Due to Vietnam’s tropical weather, the locals prefer ice in their beer. But don’t worry—the ice comes in big chunks so as not to alter the distinguished taste, not to mention that you might chug down the glass before the ice can melt. However, some places still offer refrigerated, chilled beer, so ask the servants if you want some.
If one person gets to drink, everyone has to drink, too. When drinking with a Vietnamese, some people consider drinking without “dzô” as impolite behavior. Therefore, before you want to take a sip, it would be better to raise your cup and dzô first. You might not have to do that every single time, but if someone insists on making you clink with everyone, keep in mind that it is just a part of Vietnam’s drinking culture. Also, anyone who dzô has to drink, but in these cases, you do not need to drink too much. Save your drinking limit for later. The challenges are still ahead.
Many Vietnamese foods help beer taste better. They range from simple dishes such as roasted salted peanuts, or a Vietnamese cold cut called nem chua to more delicate ones such as grilled squids with butter or roasted frog. Most of them have a sour or salty taste, which is believed to go exceptionally well with beer. Although these dishes are among the must-try Vietnamese street foods, don’t get too caught up in the food and forget about drinking.
Useful Tips to “Stay Alive” When Drinking with a Vietnamese
Don’t drink with an empty stomach
Having some food in your stomach would put a halt to the effects of alcohol. Not only is it a perfect excuse for trying the exquisite local cuisine, but it also prevents you from getting wasted.
Stay hydrated
There is not-so-popular advice among Vietnamese people for those not good at drinking: When you drink a glass of beer, you should drink the same amount of water right after that. This will prevent you from either getting drunk too soon or becoming dehydrated.
Avoid mixing alcohol with other soft drinks
Vietnamese people, especially teenagers, sometimes love mixing beer like that. It makes the beer sweeter, tastier, and easier to drink. However, if you are not a good drinker, this is the last thing you want to try as it will knock you out in a heartbeat.
Don’t be afraid to turn down alcohol
“Tôi không biết/không thể uống”. This sentence means “I don’t know how to drink”. When being offered a glass of beer, saying it and shaking your hand would make your companions understand what you are about to express. You might have to drink at least a little anyway, but it would lessen the chance you are forced to drink until you get drunk.
Learn more about other Useful Vietnamese Phrases
Don’t risk getting into an accident
If you go for a drinking night, grabbing a car would be better for you and your friends. Driving services are developed in large cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. You can quickly get a car or motorbike through booking apps, but a car would be a better choice after a drunk night. Taxi is also widely available in most of the major cities in Vietnam. Whatever you do, make sure to arrive home safely.
Vietnamese soups are the best for a hangover
Pho, Bun Rieu, and Bun Bo Hue are some great choices for breakfast after a drunk night. A steaming hot and nutritious bowl of soup can ease your headache and rejuvenate your body from the inside out.
Read more about the Best drunk food in Ho Chi Minh City.
Summary of What to Know When Drinking with A Vietnamese
Drinking is one of the best ways to spend time with the Vietnamese people. All you have to do is to have fun and drink as much as your ability allows you to, but remember not to get too drunk!