What can we learn from Vietnamese Street Food?

Okay, so this is just a bit of fun, but in looking at why Vietnamese Street Food is so good I wondered if there was anything we could learn about Food Factory Construction.

I travelled to Vietnam recently and made a point of sampling the local street food as often as I could.

Vietnamese street food is renowned for its vibrant flavours, fresh ingredients, and diverse culinary influences. It is an integral part of Vietnamese culture and an essential aspect of daily life in Vietnam.

Street food stalls and vendors can be found in bustling markets, busy streets, and even tucked away in small alleyways, offering a wide array of delicious and affordable dishes.

As I sat on my tiny stool crunching through the fragrant leaves, enjoying the incredible Phở Noodle Soup, it occurred to me that there are parallels to be drawn here. Each vendor is a specialist with a miniature self-contained factory that they carry in two baskets suspended from a bamboo pole. They only produce one item, be it Bánh Mì, Bún Chả or Gỏi Cuốn; but they do it exceptionally well, using the freshest ingredients and perfecting their skill in that one item. They don’t attempt to be a generalist and offer a range of items as they feel it will dilute their expertise. They are also highly productive; I was staggered to learn that a vendor making spring rolls could make and sell 600 in a day.

So what’s the parallel here – at DDK we have chosen to create a supply chain where we use specialists in a number of key areas, whether it is flooring finishes, white walling or refrigeration.

In the same way that you could create a banquet of Vietnamese street food by knowing and selecting the best vendors, DDK pulls together the best specialist expertise in each trade to create a highly skilled project team. The skill lies in knowing who the best in each field is, having an established relationship with them, and knowing how to draw the elements together in a cohesive project programme.

And if you’re ever in Vietnam, I highly recommend the sticky rice doughnuts called Bánh rán – a delicious and satisfying snack, perfect for a quick bite on the go or as a tasty treat to accompany a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee.