Hue: Unexpected hospitality shown through a vegetarian meal at a funeral.

Exhausted after a 50km journey, two Swiss tourists had an unforgettable experience when a family in Hue invited them to a vegetarian meal while they were making funeral arrangements.

Unexpected experiences on the way to exploring the ancient capital.

At noon on October 20th, a Swiss couple had a memorable experience in Vinh Loc commune, Hue city. After cycling nearly 50km from the city center, they were exhausted and stopped in front of a house where a funeral was taking place, hoping to find a nearby restaurant.

Mr. Tran Huu Cuu, 50 years old, the homeowner, noticed the situation of the two guests. As an international tour guide with 11 years of experience, he understood their exhaustion. Since there were no restaurants or shops nearby, he readily invited them into his home for a meal.

Two Swiss guests were invited by their hosts in Hue to share a vegetarian meal at a funeral. Photo: Tran Huu Cuu

A simple vegetarian meal and warm hospitality.

Initially, Mr. Cuu intended to cook instant noodles for the guests, but then the family decided to invite them to a vegetarian meal at the funeral. When asked if they could eat vegetarian food, the two guests were delighted and replied, "That's great. We eat vegetarian."

A quick meal was served with light vegetarian dishes such as mushroom soup, pickled vegetables, stir-fried vegetables, and tofu. Contrary to the host's expectations, the tourist couple ate with great relish and asked for more rice. The husband repeatedly praised the dishes while enjoying the meal.

Mr. Cuu offered more vegetarian rice to the two Western guests. Photo: Tran Huu Cuu

Upon realizing they were dining at a funeral, the two tourists bowed their heads in condolences, showing their respect. Mr. Cuu further explained the local culture, stating that when an elderly person passes away, the family views it as a peaceful departure and focuses on prayer.

Unique cultural aspects of funerals in Hue.

Mr. Cuu shared that, in funerals in Hue, especially when the deceased is elderly, families often hold vegetarian meals. This is to maintain a pure mind, avoid killing animals, and is a way to pray for the deceased's liberation. Funeral ceremonies can last 5-7 days, and during this time, many families will do charitable deeds such as giving gifts to the needy and releasing animals to accumulate merit.

This is a unique cultural feature, reflecting the spiritual depth and philosophy of life of the people of the ancient capital, something that tourists are unlikely to find in typical travel guides.

Hue: A destination for authentic experiences.

The story of the two Swiss tourists is proof that the charm of Hue doesn't just come from the Imperial Citadel, the tombs, or the ancient temples. The beauty of this city also lies in the warmth of its people and authentic cultural experiences.

Mr. Cuu often takes foreign tourists on tours of famous tourist attractions in Hue, Da Nang, etc. Photo: Tran Huu Cuu

As a tour guide, Mr. Cuu often takes international tourists to participate in everyday activities such as cycling through the countryside, exploring lagoons, learning to cook, or trying their hand at farming. These activities help tourists immerse themselves in the local way of life and create more memorable experiences of Vietnam.

The Swiss couple shared that this was their first time in Vietnam and the trip exceeded their expectations. "Friends told us that Vietnam has many beautiful sights and delicious food... and now that we're here, we realize how truly amazing Vietnam is," the husband said.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/hue-long-hieu-khach-bat-ngo-qua-bua-com-chay-tai-dam-tang-397695.html