Inside the eatery, stainless steel tables and plastic chairs with a dull, silvery shine were haphazardly lined up, and a bundle of chopsticks stood in the center of the table

As you wander the streets of Hanoi, it's easy to find yourself pausing in front of a humble eatery. Stainless steel tables reflect the light with a muted silver sheen, while plastic stools are casually arranged around them. In the center of each table stands a bundle of chopsticks, accompanied by a bottle of chili sauce, paper napkins, and a bright red plastic chopstick holder—an ensemble so uniform, it's almost ceremonial.

It might not surprise many Japanese visitors that chopsticks are used in Vietnam too. But behind this everyday gesture lies a long shadow of history. For centuries, Vietnam paid tribute to Chinese dynasties, absorbing influences that shaped everything from politics to religion to food culture.

The simple act of eating with chopsticks carries within it the deep imprint of that cultural transmission. And yet, after the Sino-French War in 1884, the Chinese influence began to waver. French colonial rule took root, and with it came baguettes and cà phê sữa đá—sweet, iced coffee with condensed milk—folded into the rhythm of local meals.

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