Don't Worry, It's Not Haunted!

Ever wondered what happens to that lobster staring you down at the grocery store? In Vietnam, you might just find it chilling (literally) in a tank at your favorite restaurant. Unlike the land of the pre-packaged and plastic-wrapped, Vietnamese restaurants keep their seafood fresh as a daisy – sometimes a little too fresh.
Here, your dinner might come with a side of claws waving hello (or a panicked attempt at escape). Don't be spooked! It just means you're about to experience some of the most insanely fresh seafood on the planet.
 

Most restaurants will let you pick your own seafood straight from the tank. Don't be shy, point at that giant prawn that caught your eye – it'll be on your plate in no time (and hopefully not waving back).

Ordering seafood by the kilo can get confusing. Don't be afraid to ask for help – pointing, gesturing wildly, and maybe using a seafood translator app can work wonders.

Vietnamese seafood is all about the dipping sauces. From fiery chilies to tangy nuoc cham (fish sauce dressing), you'll have endless flavor options to drown out any lingering anxieties about your formerly-alive dinner companion.
So ditch the frozen fish sticks and dive headfirst (or claw first?) into the vibrant world of Vietnamese seafood. You might just surprise yourself with how much you enjoy dining with the recently departed (from the sea, that is).