Information about the thesis "Dog Meat in Vietnamese Culinary Culture - A Case Study of Duong Noi Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi" by graduate student Pham Thi Thu Hien, majoring in Ethnology.1. Student's Full Name: Pham Thi Thu Hien 2. Gender: Female 3. Date of Birth: July 30, 1983 4. Place of Birth: Ha Dong Town, Ha Tay Province (now Hanoi) 5. Decision No. 2551/2007/QD-XHNV-KH&SDH dated November 2, 2007, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 6. Changes during the training process: None 7. Thesis Title: Dog Meat in Vietnamese Culinary Culture - A Case Study of Duong Noi Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 8. Specialization: Ethnology. Code: 60 22 70 9. Scientific Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Chinh 10. Summary of thesis results: For many Vietnamese people, dog meat is considered a delicacy, while for others, it is disliked and even considered taboo. Why are there such contrasting views on the same dish? Is there any connection between dog meat as a food and the culinary, medical, and spiritual beliefs of different population groups? How do Vietnamese people view dogs as beloved pets in many families? Why do people eat or not eat dog meat? How is dog meat bought, sold, and processed, and what are its material and spiritual functions in the lives of Vietnamese people? This thesis, based on field research in Duong Noi ward, in the outskirts of present-day Hanoi, hopes to shed some light on these questions. This thesis, based on the arguments of the renowned Soviet nationalist N.N. Cheboksarov on material culture and the method of studying material culture, argues that food, in addition to its material function of sustaining life, also has an important social function: it helps to unite or divide people. The issue is not simply whether people eat or drink certain foods or beverages to satisfy hunger or thirst, but when they eat and drink together. He argues that social hierarchy, religious beliefs, and the structure of gender relations influence how people eat or do not eat a particular food, and when they eat or do not eat together. Cheboksarov's argument is particularly important in the study of the role of dog meat in Vietnamese culinary culture. It helps to explain the issues raised in this research. Our survey in Duong Noi revealed different schools of thought regarding the preparation of dog meat, based on perspectives on the relationship between the "Hot - Cold" categories in Vietnamese culinary culture. However, dog meat is not only a favorite dish for some, but it is also considered a functional food with therapeutic effects according to traditional Vietnamese medicine. The perception of dogs as domestic pets and as food and functional food can be seen as factors influencing whether or not people eat dog meat and how they consume it. The trend of eating dog meat, whether for pleasure or as a functional food, seems to be strongly increasing in Hanoi, to the point of forming "dog meat kingdoms" like in Duong Noi to supply the enormous demand of the city and its surrounding suburbs. The processing and supply of dog meat is becoming a high-value commercial food "industry," but the control over this food processing is not strict, raising serious epidemiological issues to ensure food safety and hygiene. 11. Practical applications: This study, in addition to exploring the nature, habits, and spiritual beliefs related to the custom of eating dog meat and using it as a functional food, also raises epidemiological issues, disease control, and ethical issues related to consuming the meat of animals that are considered close companions to humans. 12. Future research directions: The study can and should expand its scope to include a broad and in-depth survey to provide a basis for comparison of the beliefs of different communities and religions regarding dog meat.
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name : Pham Thi Thu Hien 2. Sex: Female 3. Date of birth: July 30, 1983 4. Place of birth: Ha Tay 5. Admission decision number: 2551/2007/ QD-XHNV-KH&SĐH; Dated November 2, 2007 6. Changes in academic process: None 7. Official thesis title: Dog meat as a way of the Viet's eating and drinking (Research in Duong Noi Ward of Hanoi City) 8. Major: Ethnology 9. Code: 60 22 70 10. Supervisors: Assoc.Prof.Dr Nguyen Van Chinh 11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: Dog meat is a well-known food preferred by part of Vietnamese but it is also considered as a food taboo that some should not eat. The questions could be raised for discussions as why it is a great food for some persons but for the others, it is not accepted? This study, based on the theoretical perspective as suggested by the soviet ethnographer Treboksarov, proposes that food has its social functions. One eats food not only to satisfy physical demands for survival, but more attention should be given to the fact that when ones eat together and when not, and how foods can create relationships or and separate people? Fieldwork in Duong Noi Ward of Hanoi City suggests that dog meat is not only a preferred food by part of Vietnamese, but this food is also used as a functional food for cases of sickness. It is the perception of the Vietnamese on the beliefs, sickness treatments, and food preference that schools of dog meat processing and cooking are created. The demand for dog meat has likely been on increase and some types of “kingdom of dog meat” like Duong Noi have been emerging. Besides, the epidemics of processing and selling the dog meat are also seriously concerning. 12. Practical applicability, if any: The findings indicate the importance of social functions of food, in this case, dog meat, and aspects of epidemic concerns. 13. Further research directions, if any: Further investigation on a larger scale and culturally comparative perspective could be developed in combination with epidemic point of views is expected.
