Traveling with a pot of vermicelli soup: Bringing food or not is up to you, why judge?

The story of bringing a pot of vermicelli soup with you when traveling has been debated by many readers. One reader said that his wife criticized him for being stingy and 'torturing' him when he brought food with him, but when he went to a restaurant, she found it expensive and not to his liking.

Some readers think that traveling is for enjoyment and experience, so you shouldn't waste time preparing food to bring along - Photo: YEN TRINH

After the article 'Taking a pot of vermicelli soup to travel, is it 'torturing yourself' or saving money?', Tuoi Tre Online received many heated debates from readers. Most were divided into two factions, those who supported it and those who were fed up with the sight of people carrying all kinds of food while traveling.

If you are too calculating when traveling, don't go.

A Da Nang reader told me that near his house there was an elderly couple who had a 50-seat car parked in front of their house during the summer so they could go on vacation to visit relatives, watch fireworks, etc. The car had a gas stove, a household gas tank, and pots and pans.

"They said they were going to Tay Ninh to have fun and then come back, go to pagodas, temples... to visit, sometimes they gave away their stuff and then filled up the car to come back. Going out like that, I think all the restaurants, eateries... would probably be closed," this reader expressed.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Tu Ben said that traveling is for relaxation and stimulating the local economy . If everyone brings food to eat during the trip, it is better to eat at home for health.

Agreeing, Mr. Hien shared: travel is to create comfort, explore new lands as well as experience local cuisine. If cooking takes time, is tiring, the travel experience is less enjoyable.

Reader Lam Son Ha briefly stated: "If you calculate too much, don't go, it's just a pity for your family."

Reader hdng****@gmail.com wrote: "Going out with bags in your hands and under your arms like that is a torture." "If everyone is too frugal like this, it will affect the general income of society," reader TD said.

Mr. Tran Tam advised: "Travel and have fun, why bother bringing food and drink? Saving money must be done for it to be meaningful."

In addition to the inconvenience, some readers noticed that some of the food they brought had a smell and was cold. Account phan****@gmail.com raised the question: "How can you eat it when it's cold when you get there? When you're done eating, should you buy a bucket of water to wash it, or should you just throw it away in someone else's trash?"

Similarly, Mr. Tuan commented that this type of tourism is mainly for gathering to eat and drink, just need to find someone's house with space, entering the tourist area costs money. "Going to a tourist area and having to eat and drink on the ground is really strange," he commented.

Sharing her experience, Ms. Kim said that in the past, she often brought food with her. She confided: "I don't have much money, so I have to save money when going out. But I find cooking and preparing food so difficult, not to mention that sticky rice or chicken brought in the car's trunk will smell and sometimes spoil if kept in the trunk for a long time." Later, her family no longer brought food with them, but instead chose cheap, economical restaurants.

Bringing food when traveling may be more palatable, but some readers think it is self-torture - Photo: YEN TRINH

"Don't judge other people's lives"

Some readers think that bringing food or not is up to family preference and the destination, be it a campsite or a resort. Bringing food to nibble on while in the car, chatting for fun, as long as it does not litter the surroundings is fine.

Toan Nguyen finds it normal to bring food when traveling. There are many ways to spend money, not necessarily going to restaurants without knowing if you will be ripped off. "Instead, spend money on souvenirs, local handicrafts...", he wrote.

The Aloha account expressed that everyone can do whatever they want. Many people experience local culture, including cuisine. Many people just enjoy the scenery and eat familiar dishes, so they bring food with them. "The point is to travel to relax and experience things. Everyone has their own way, as long as it doesn't affect others."

Mr. Tuan said that what and where to eat is everyone's right. "No matter how hard it is, people don't beg anyone or anything. If the service is reasonable, the price is reasonable, and the food is delicious, then who would bring food with them?"

"As long as the family is happy and together, it is meaningful and happy. We should not judge other people's lives," reader Anh Vu advised.

Ms. Ngoc Bay said that traveling is a time for husband, wife and children to have fun together. The process of preparing food helps create more memories.

"My family spent a whole week preparing this and that dish before leaving, packing a lot of things, but it was at those times that we felt more love for our family."

Respecting differences is what some readers have said on this topic. Nhien Van shared: "If you go out less, eat out. If you go out more, each person brings their own dish. If you know how, it's not difficult. We eat at restaurants to get through the meal, but when we see rice balls or crab noodle soup, we always remember it."

Reader Sao Xet shared that even though he had money, he wanted to bring food, alcohol stove, gas stove and rice cooker and cook by himself. When he arrived, the whole family went to the local market. Any member could buy whatever they wanted and he would pay for it.

"Cooking is both an experience for the children and a way to learn how to survive. My wife thinks I'm a jerk and a torturer. But when she goes to a restaurant to eat, she complains that the food is expensive, not delicious, and not filling," he confided.

There are also some opinions that we should bring light food to make it less tiring, such as fruit and cakes. "In the past, every time my father took my siblings and I to Vung Tau, my mother often cooked rice pressed tightly in areca leaves and braised pork ribs, cut into slices and it was delicious. Now that life has developed, people want to enjoy it on the spot more, but in my opinion, if you are on a short trip, it is still more interesting to prepare a few dishes," said Mr. Tran Tai.

Similarly, reader Nguyen said that sometimes traveling is both expensive and the food doesn't suit his taste, and when he gets sick, he regrets not bringing some simple food. "Many tourist destinations also rent out charcoal stoves at camping sites for occasions like this."

Ask your sister whether or not to bring food

In response to both agreeing and disagreeing opinions, Mr. Tran Q Loc revealed a trick to please the whole family. Mothers who cook all day and have messy hair will prefer to eat out for health.

"Some people still like to prepare it themselves. We usually ask the women's opinions and then decide. But fruit is indispensable because when going out in the sun, eating oranges, tangerines, guavas and apples will help relieve fatigue and thirst," he concluded.

Thinking the same, Loanmai realized that bringing food or not is fine. The important thing is that whoever likes to cook it themselves, don't force others to do it.

Flexible, Ms. Thuy Trang Le said that depending on the group of people on the trip, whether they are young or a large family, they should prepare appropriately. "My family usually brings food, but it is cakes, sticky rice to eat along the way or to eat more. Before going, everyone should ask for the addresses of good restaurants in advance, don't just stop at any place and eat something that is difficult to satisfy."

YEN TRINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-lich-mang-theo-noi-bun-rieu-mang-hay-khong-mang-do-an-la-tuy-sao-phai-phan-xet-20250901161849545.htm