In the two years in Vietnam, we always seek out and shop at 3 or 4 super markets close to each apartment we lived in. The reason is depending on our route, one store may be closer than others. Sometimes one store may have a sale on items we need. Most likely, it’s because not every store has every items that we need, and we have to go to different stores to pick up hard-to-find grocery items. (More on grocery shopping as an expat later.)
The point is, because we shop at so many different grocery stores, we spots unique things that cannot be found anywhere else. These, below, are our list of things you can only find in a Vietnamese super market. Enjoy!
1. Dried fish and squid on display
Where else will you find about 20 different types of dried fish and squid on open display like this? In case they are not visible enough, you can also find them by the smell, from the moment you enter the store.
2. Locked up cheese
We still haven’t come up with a reasonable explanation for the locked up sliced cheese. Priced at about US$3 as seen in the picture above, packages of sliced cheese are quite pricey in Vietnam, but certainly not the most valuable product on the shelf. Vietnamese are not even that keen on consuming or cooking with cheese. Nonetheless, they are always locked up in these little cages.
3. (Interestingly) bold slogans on t-shirts
Yes, titties and beer, and on a women t-shirt. What kind of woman would buy this t-shirt, you may ask? The ones that don’t read what is written on the t-shirt, of course.
4. Hungry for lunch? Have some bugs!
This yummy-looking treat is silkworm, often sauteed with some salt & pepper, and nothing else! Add some rice and veggies, you have yourself a protein-rich, low-fat lunch! Would you try it? 🙂
5. Funny brand of nuts
This popular brand of snacks should win an award for the one-of-a-kind name!
6. $7 America imported Blueberries
You can imagine how much effort goes into transporting these tiny little fruits half way around the world. That probably explains the price of $7 per 125gr, or about 4.4 ounces, which is double the price in the US. Craving a blueberry pie? Prep your wallet first!
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24vs100 
The packet of cheese in a security box is my favourite 🙂
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