Around noon on October 20, while preparing funeral rites for his father-in-law at their family home in Vinh Loc commune (formerly Vinh Hien), Hue, Tran Huu Cuu, 50, noticed two foreign tourists stopping at the gate.

Upon speaking with them, Mr. Cuu learned they were Swiss travelers on their way to a five-star resort in Phu Loc. After cycling nearly 50 kilometers from Hue, they were clearly fatigued and had been searching in vain for a place to eat.

Seeing there were no restaurants nearby and sensing their condition, Mr. Cuu invited them inside for a drink and a quick meal to regain their strength.

At first, he intended to prepare instant noodles. But when his wife mentioned there was leftover vegetarian food from the funeral rites, he asked the couple, “Do you eat vegetarian food? It's just vegetables.”

To his surprise, their faces lit up with joy. “Perfect. We’re vegetarian,” they responded.

So a simple meal was quickly served with mushroom soup, pickled vegetables, stir-fried greens, tofu, and bottled water.

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The Swiss couple was invited to join a vegetarian meal at a funeral in Hue. Photo: Tran Huu Cuu

Initially, Mr. Cuu thought they might just nibble out of politeness or unfamiliarity. But before long, the guests had finished two full plates of rice with evident enjoyment.

When the husband looked up and asked with a smile, “Can I?” Mr. Cuu instantly understood and brought out two more helpings. The wife stopped eating first, while the husband continued and complimented every dish, saying, “Everything tastes delicious.”

When they learned the meal was served during a funeral, the Swiss couple bowed respectfully and offered their condolences.

To help them better understand local customs, Mr. Cuu gently explained that in Hue, when an elder passes away, families see it as a peaceful transition rather than a cause for excessive grief. The family gathers to pray and send the deceased peacefully to the afterlife.

This was their first time in Vietnam, and during a brief conversation, the couple told Mr. Cuu: “Friends told us that Vietnam has beautiful landscapes and amazing food. We thought it was just hype, but after coming here, we truly believe it’s wonderful.”

According to the host, the couple spent around 45 minutes enjoying the meal. After finishing, they thanked the family and wished them peace during the mourning period before continuing their journey to the resort.

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Mr. Cuu serves extra portions of the vegetarian meal to the foreign guests. Photo: Tran Huu Cuu
Cuu often takes foreign tourists to visit famous tourist attractions in Hue, Da Nang, and other places.
Photo: Tran Huu Cuu

Mr. Cuu, who has been working as an international tour guide for 11 years, told VietNamNet that although he has welcomed guests from many countries, this was one of the most unforgettable encounters.

He explained that in Hue, funerals often feature vegetarian meals to maintain a serene and respectful atmosphere. The dishes are typically simple, made with ingredients like pickled vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, and light stir-fries.

“Funerals here usually last 5 to 7 days. Depending on family tradition and local customs, many households practice vegetarianism during this time to avoid harming living beings, cultivate compassion, and pray for the peaceful passing of their loved one. Some also distribute gifts to the poor and perform animal releases to accumulate merit,” he said.

As a guide, Mr. Cuu has led visitors from countries such as Italy, Australia, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Denmark, and Belgium to tourist destinations like Hue and Hoi An. These are among the most favored destinations for Western tourists due to their ancient charm, scenic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

In addition to famous attractions like the Imperial Citadel, tombs, and temples, Mr. Cuu often guides guests through rural life experiences such as cycling through villages, visiting lagoons, joining cooking classes, or trying their hand at farming.

Thao Trinh