A STUDY ON THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF FAST FOOD IN VIETNAM AND IN AMERICA

The main objective of this graduate paper is to study the advantages and disadvantages of fastfood culture and understand the similarities and differences between fastfood culture in Vietnam and the US. In addition, the study also explores the reasons for these differences. Research results show that fast foods advantage is saving time, variety, and affordable price, always being rich in nutrition and calories. However, many people believe that fast food is not suitable for health and causes obesity and other digestive problems. Fast food has become a favourite dish among both the American and the Vietnamese, but Americans and Vietnamese accept fast food in different ways. The differences are reflected in the concept of cuisine, the speed of development of fast food, the target audience, the purpose of enjoyment, the menu, the development of large restaurant chains and the level of environmental friendliness. Cultural differences are the cause of these differences.

Rationale for the study

Language is the superior product of human consciousness, abstracted matter, and the second human signalling system Language is a means and a tool for people to communicate with each other, exchange ideas and understand each other Currently, there are more than 2,500 different languages in the world Each language is associated with a specific culture of that nation Language is not only studied as a purely signalling system but also considered under many different aspects of all communication activities. Following this approach, researchers increasingly recognize the importance of culture in language and communication.

Learning a foreign language is not just hard work; to be successful with a foreign language, you need to have a deep passion for that language. Culture is something we should learn to create our love for a new foreign language.

While studying English at HUBT, I realized that culture is an indispensable part of foreign language teaching Culture plays an essential role in the goal of "communication competence" for learners It is critical to incorporate cultural elements into the lesson in teaching foreign languages. Understanding these cultural factors helps communicators and teachers, and learners acquire foreign languages effectively because the meaning of a word and the content of dialogue in any language can change by context.

It can see that culinary culture is a cultural characteristic of each region and locality Western and Eastern cultures have many differences, leading to differences in food culture.

With the desire to study more deeply the language I learned, I decided to do my graduation paper titled " A study on the similarities and differences of fast food in Vietnam and in America " to improve my understanding of the culture, fast food, one of the dominant cultural aspects in modern life.

Aims and objectives of the study

The main objective of this graduate paper is to study the advantages and disadvantages of fast-food culture and understand the similarities and differences between fast-food culture in Vietnam and the US In addition, the reasons for this difference are also presented.

Research questions

The researcher has formulated some questions:

1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of fast-food culture in modern life?

2) What are the similarities and differences between fast-food culture in Vietnam and the US?

3) What are the causes of the differences in fast-food culture in Vietnam and the US?

This graduate paper studies fast food in Vietnam and the US, but not in other countries worldwide The similarities and differences in fast food in the two countries are studied and analyzed.

The study consists of three main parts Part A (introduction) provides readers with the rationale, objectives, scope of the research and the structure of the graduation paper

Part B consists of three sections Section one – “Material Collection” explores the definitions of culture, definitions of fast food, history of fast- food, fast-food culture and industrialization, types of fast food and methodology of the research Section two – “Data analysis” analyses fast- food in Vietnam and the US Section three – "Results, Remarks," discusses the obtained results and presents the answers to the research questions.

The last part of the paper is named Conclusion Summaries drawn from the previous parts are presented, followed by a section on the limitation of the study and a recommendation that serves as a guideline for future studies.

Researchers and scholars propose many definitions of culture, ranging from simple to complex For example, Kroeber and Parsons (1958) proposed a complex description: culture "transmitted and created content and patterns of values, ideas, and other symbolic - meaningful systems as factors in shaping human behaviour" White (1959) gives an even more complex definition: “By culture, we mean an extra somatic, temporal continuum of things and events dependent upon symbolling”.

Researchers often cite one definition from Kluckhohn (1951), “Culture consists in patterned ways of thinking, feeling, and reacting, acquired and transmitted mainly by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiments in artefacts; the essential core of culture consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their attached values."

On the other extreme, Hofstede (2001) has defined culture: Culture is shared mental software, “the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another”.

A group or category can be a national society Still, Hofstede believes his definition also applies to other collectives, such as region, ethnicity, occupation, organization, or even age group and gender.

According to Jahoda (1984), “culture” is the most elusive term in the lexicon of the social sciences and the number of books devoted to this subject is numerous on library shelves.

1.2 The definitions of fast food

Fast food, according to vocabulary.com, is defined as food that is prepared and served quickly and inexpensively.

When it comes to fast food, speed is of the essence, as its name was coined circa 1950 Fast food eaters want something delicious, cheap and fast. Fast food restaurants are known for exactly that.

Fast food is defined by De Vogli, Kouvonen, and Gimeno (2013) as food that can be prepared quickly and easily and is sold in restaurants as a quick meal This type of meal can be identified as a standardized method of procreative technology because one of the main reasons it was created was to meet the needs of its consumers.

According to the National Institutes of Health, fast foods are quick, easily accessible, and inexpensive alternatives to home-cooked meals (NIH). They're also high in saturated fat, sugar, salt, and calories According to the National Institutes of Health, many fast-food restaurants have responded to growing public awareness about nutrition by offering lower food in fat and calories than their standard fare (Hellesvig-Gaskell, 2021).

1.3 Brief history of fast food

Ancient Rome was the first place to sell ready-cooked food ("The History of Fast Food", 2022) The urban population lived in multi-story apartment buildings called insulae that did not have kitchens and had to buy food from food vendors They bought wine-soaked bread, ate stews, and cooked vegetables in popular, simple restaurants.

A 2nd century Han Dynasty text mentions noodle stands that stayed open all night ("The History of Fast Food", 2022) Street vendors in larger Middle Ages towns sold pies, pasties, flans, waffles, wafers, pancakes, and cooked meats These people and places sold their food to those who couldn't cook for themselves, such as the poor and travellers Fast food that included local shellfish or seafood was developed in areas near the coast and involved in fishing.

With the development of trawler fishing in the nineteenth century, theBritish favourite "fish and chips" appeared, and the first "fish and chips" shop opened in 1860 at Tommyfield Market in Oldham In 1896, Max Sielaff of Berlin invented "automats," or vending machine restaurants In 1902, Joseph Horn and James Hardart opened an automat in New York City, ushering in the era of fast food in the United States ("The History of Fast Food", 2022).

According to "The History of Fast Food" (2022), White Castle, the first hamburger chain in the United States, opened in 1921 It was founded in 1916 by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson, who also founded the first White Castle restaurant in Wichita They had a small menu with cheap hamburgers and sold many of them The first franchises appeared in 1921 (A&W Root Beer franchised their syrup), and Howard Johnson opened the first restaurant franchise in the 1930s.

Drive-in restaurants began to appear across the United States as automobiles became more popular Customers in cars were served by carhops, who started wearing roller skates in the 1940s The McDonald brothers opened the first fast-food McDonald's in 1948 (they had a restaurant before, but it was not of the "fast-food" variety) Others quickly followed, with Burger King and Taco Bell opening theirs in the 1950s and Wendy's in

1969 Carl's Jr., KFC, and Jack in the Box were all around before McDonald's, but they reoriented as fast food became more popular.

1.4 Fast food culture and industrialization

MATERIAL COLLECTION

The definitions of culture

Researchers and scholars propose many definitions of culture, ranging from simple to complex For example, Kroeber and Parsons (1958) proposed a complex description: culture "transmitted and created content and patterns of values, ideas, and other symbolic - meaningful systems as factors in shaping human behaviour" White (1959) gives an even more complex definition: “By culture, we mean an extra somatic, temporal continuum of things and events dependent upon symbolling”.

Researchers often cite one definition from Kluckhohn (1951), “Culture consists in patterned ways of thinking, feeling, and reacting, acquired and transmitted mainly by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiments in artefacts; the essential core of culture consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their attached values."

On the other extreme, Hofstede (2001) has defined culture: Culture is shared mental software, “the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another”.

A group or category can be a national society Still, Hofstede believes his definition also applies to other collectives, such as region, ethnicity, occupation, organization, or even age group and gender.

According to Jahoda (1984), “culture” is the most elusive term in the lexicon of the social sciences and the number of books devoted to this subject is numerous on library shelves.

The definitions of fast food

Fast food, according to vocabulary.com, is defined as food that is prepared and served quickly and inexpensively.

When it comes to fast food, speed is of the essence, as its name was coined circa 1950 Fast food eaters want something delicious, cheap and fast. Fast food restaurants are known for exactly that.

Fast food is defined by De Vogli, Kouvonen, and Gimeno (2013) as food that can be prepared quickly and easily and is sold in restaurants as a quick meal This type of meal can be identified as a standardized method of procreative technology because one of the main reasons it was created was to meet the needs of its consumers.

According to the National Institutes of Health, fast foods are quick,easily accessible, and inexpensive alternatives to home-cooked meals (NIH).They're also high in saturated fat, sugar, salt, and calories According to theNational Institutes of Health, many fast-food restaurants have responded to growing public awareness about nutrition by offering lower food in fat and calories than their standard fare (Hellesvig-Gaskell, 2021).

Brief history of fast food

Ancient Rome was the first place to sell ready-cooked food ("The History of Fast Food", 2022) The urban population lived in multi-story apartment buildings called insulae that did not have kitchens and had to buy food from food vendors They bought wine-soaked bread, ate stews, and cooked vegetables in popular, simple restaurants.

A 2nd century Han Dynasty text mentions noodle stands that stayed open all night ("The History of Fast Food", 2022) Street vendors in larger Middle Ages towns sold pies, pasties, flans, waffles, wafers, pancakes, and cooked meats These people and places sold their food to those who couldn't cook for themselves, such as the poor and travellers Fast food that included local shellfish or seafood was developed in areas near the coast and involved in fishing.

With the development of trawler fishing in the nineteenth century, theBritish favourite "fish and chips" appeared, and the first "fish and chips" shop opened in 1860 at Tommyfield Market in Oldham In 1896, Max Sielaff of Berlin invented "automats," or vending machine restaurants In 1902, Joseph Horn and James Hardart opened an automat in New York City, ushering in the era of fast food in the United States ("The History of Fast Food", 2022).

According to "The History of Fast Food" (2022), White Castle, the first hamburger chain in the United States, opened in 1921 It was founded in 1916 by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson, who also founded the first White Castle restaurant in Wichita They had a small menu with cheap hamburgers and sold many of them The first franchises appeared in 1921 (A&W Root Beer franchised their syrup), and Howard Johnson opened the first restaurant franchise in the 1930s.

Drive-in restaurants began to appear across the United States as automobiles became more popular Customers in cars were served by carhops, who started wearing roller skates in the 1940s The McDonald brothers opened the first fast-food McDonald's in 1948 (they had a restaurant before, but it was not of the "fast-food" variety) Others quickly followed, with Burger King and Taco Bell opening theirs in the 1950s and Wendy's in

1969 Carl's Jr., KFC, and Jack in the Box were all around beforeMcDonald's, but they reoriented as fast food became more popular.

Fast food culture and industrialization

Hamburgers are not the only type of fast food available worldwide("The History of Fast Food", 2022) Fish and chips, sandwiches, pitas, sushi,fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, chicken nuggets, tacos, pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream are also famous Fast food operations make food from processed ingredients at a central supply facility and then ship it to restaurants where it is prepared to ensure that all restaurants receive the food of the same quality and standards.

According to Chetty (2015), in a study of fast food in India, it is possible to see the expansion of the fast-food industry in recent years This trend is common in many newly industrializing countries, including Pakistan, South Africa and China That leads to an increase in the risk of obesity, and in particular, India has become the country with the third-highest rate of obesity in the world While the resurgence of the Indian fast-food industry is a sign of economic growth, it comes at the expense of increased obesity due to the lack of adequate focus on health and education in India.

According to Oliveros (2014), food modernization has always shaped our planet's cultural economy Fast food has quickly become the ideal food of choice in our fast-paced society The emergence of these types of innovations has influenced people's attitudes toward food Advertisements for brasseries and restaurants permeate our neighbourhoods, schools, television, and culture From the Ancient Romans' idea of pairing wine and bread and selling them inside wine bars to today's McDonald's, humans never cease to entertain change, particularly in food advancement Food can now be served in various ways and sold in almost every nook and cranny of the community because of these developments.

McDonald's is one of the best industrial examples of this type of food theory (Oliveros, 2014) It is a multinational food corporation founded by Raymond Kroc that has already left its mark on almost every part of our developing planet McDonald's has bred a new type of identity that affects our world's cultural landscape, with nearly 32,000 stores catering to almost

120 countries worldwide It has shaped our modern human way of life by transforming our food industry with the help of food globalization It has altered our perception of food and established itself as a critical component in cultural reformation

The fast-food industry is still expanding, though there are signs that it is losing market share to fast-casual dining restaurants McDonald's, for approximately 31,000 restaurants worldwide "The History of Fast Food"(2022).

Different types of fast food

There are numerous types of fast food What kinds of fast food a location will have depends on what grows there, what ingredients can be obtained, and what the locals like The following are some examples of fast food ("Different Types of Fast Food," no date)

A hot dog is a cooked sausage served in a sliced bun with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish, cheese, and chilli.

Kebab: skewered or spit-roasted pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables It was originated in the Middle East.

Belgians invented French fries, cut potatoes into short sticks and deep- fried Since the 17th or 18th century, it has been widespread.

A hamburger is a type of sandwich that consists of one or more meat patties sandwiched between two or more sliced buns and topped with condiments.

Chips: Thinly cut (very thinly) potatoes, heavily salted and deep-fried until crispy According to legend, they were invented by a cook irritated by a customer who complained that his potatoes were too thick, soft, and bland.

Pizza is a baked flatbread topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings The modern pizza was invented in Italy and is famous worldwide.

Sandwich: a type of food in which one kind of food is placed between or on two slices of bread This food was invented by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich.

Taco: A corn or wheat tortilla wrapped around a filling (type of flatbread) Fillings can be made with various ingredients such as beef, pork,chicken, seafood, vegetables, and cheese.

Chicken nuggets are made from meat slurry or chicken breasts that have been cut into shapes, breaded or battered, and then deep-fried or baked. Robert C Baker, a Cornell University food science professor, invented them in the 1950s.

Onion rings: a deep-fried snack made of cross-sectional onion rings dipped in batter or breadcrumbs It is also possible to make it with onion paste.

Fish and chips: a fast-food dish consisting of battered fish and deep- fried chips (here, "chips" refers to thickly cut deep-fried potatoes) It can be served with mushy peas and topped with vinegar.

Poutine is a Canadian sub-type of French fries It is made of French fries with a light and thin chicken, veal, or turkey gravy and cheese curds on top.

A cheeseburger is a hamburger topped with melted cheese.

Falafel: a deep-fried patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both It is typically served with pita (a slightly leavened flatbread made from wheat flour) or wrapped in a "lafa" (flexible flatbread).

Popcorn is a type of corn that puffs up when heated It is an old fast- food restaurant (people knew about it 8,000 years ago) It is still popular today and can be prepared, salted, or sweetened.

Corn on the Cob: a cooked ear of freshly picked sweet corn While the kernels are still soft, the ear is picked and cooked in boiling water The seeds are then eaten right off the cob.

Methodology

This study relied heavily on a literature review, internet-based research methods, and comparing, inducing, and deducing strategies.Secondary data for this study came from various online databases of journals, books, year projects completed by previous students, and other sources.

This study's data collection tool is a personal computer with an internet connection The author compiles, analyzes, evaluates, and documents materials found in the library and on the internet.

DATA/MATERIAL ANALYSIS

Fast food in Vietnam

2.1.1 Development of fast food in Vietnam

Under the impact of globalization, foreign fast-food brands are increasingly developing in Vietnam, especially in large urban centres such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Although it has only appeared in the past ten years, fast food has quickly dominated the Vietnamese culinary market, but compared to traditional dishes such as vermicelli, pho, Banh Chung, vermicelli, etc., is fast food comparable?

According to Thanh Huyen (2019), fast food has an irresistible attraction Vietnamese customers affirm the advantages of fast-food such as attractive taste, high energy supply, cleanliness, etc.

The cosy setting and luxurious and modern decoration are attractive to Vietnamese young people In addition, brands use advertising tricks, hitting the psychology of young people, going to fast-food restaurants is stylish and shows a modern lifestyle Promotional forms are also beautiful such as gifting toys, sweepstakes, and coupons for the next meal These tricks stimulate the curiosity and desire for enjoyment of teenagers The rich are curious, bring the whole family to enjoy, and want to show the level of a

"modern family" The rise of fast food is undeniable, but it also has some health effects.

In Western countries, when choosing fast food, people immediately the shortest time, and then continue working and studying As for many Vietnamese people, fast food is not just fast food but is simply understood as junk food or street food Therefore, when introduced to Vietnam, fast food was quickly welcomed because it was suitable for people's use

In addition, customers come to fast food stores to experience a new feeling Regular customers of fast-food restaurants said that when they eat fast food, they feel like foreigners, as professional and modern as they are. Besides, some people think that the food safety level of fast food is higher than that of food on the sidewalk, which is better for health As such, the food quality is only a tiny part of attracting customers Other factors such as space, service, and new experiences are essential points contributing to the development of fast-food chains in Vietnam.

2.1.2 Major fast-food brands in Vietnam

Picture 2.1 Top fast-food brands in Vietnam

The fast-food business market comes in many forms, including pizza, hamburgers, food service, bakeries, and ice cream Experts say that, of these, the restaurant chain specializing in chicken dishes is one of the most significant segments in terms of revenue.

According to Viet Economic Times (2020), KFC is Vietnam's most frequented fast-food chain According to a survey conducted by Q&ME in

Ho Chi Minh City in 2020, 45% of the total respondents said that they regularly visit KFC restaurants Next is South Korea's Lotteria, with 17% of the 600 respondents, followed by the US chain Pizza Hut and McDonald's, with 6%, respectively The top reasons for customers to eat at KFC are good food (66%), convenient location (63%), family-friendly and young (60%), and varied menu (56 %) In terms of the number of stores, Lotteria leads with 151, followed by Jollibee with 115, according to a study by Statista Research released in late 2020 When it opened its first store in Vietnam in

2014, McDonald's attracted 20,000 customers and collected VND1.5 billion ($70,000) in revenue in the first two days At the time, McDonald's had an ambitious plan to open 100 stores within a decade However, six years on, there are now only 23 stores.

Picture 2.2 The most-visited fast food shop chains in Vietnam (2020)

Vietnam's fast-food market has shown signs of more robust growth thanks to the rise of ordering and delivery apps A Q&Me survey noted that, in 2020, "Now" is the most popular app for ordering fast food online, with24% of respondents choosing it, followed by Grab Food (20%) 87% of respondents ordered online from fast-food chains, with KFC being the most popular, with 52%, followed by Lotteria (30%) and Pizza Hut (21%) (Viet Economic Times, 2020) The pandemic has also not significantly impacted online orders from fast-food chains People spend more time at home and eat at home more often But not all food and beverage businesses suffer the same fate Fast-food chains, especially those ordered online and delivered to work or home, have been less affected in some countries, and sales have increased because they are considered 'essential' businesses.

Picture 2.3 MacDonald’s fast-food 2.1.3 The sustainability of street food

It can say that fried chicken and hamburgers cannot replace pho, just as espresso and cappuccino cannot replace filter coffee Although delicious,convenient, and rich in nutrients, one cannot compare fast food with dishes with fragrant broth flavours such as pho, noodle soup, beef vermicelli,porridge, etc A chicken fried in grease cannot be delicious with aromatic charcoal roasted chicken Moreover, fast food also has potential risks of obesity and cardiovascular diseases due to being rich in nutrients and high in cholesterol Compared to dishes containing many fresh vegetables, pho, hot pot , fast food is not as good Therefore, the delicious, fast, and cheap food cannot replace traditional dishes, especially dishes with the flavour of the broth and lots of green vegetables, as well as the strong smell and taste of ethnic dishes (Thanh Huyen, 2019).

In short, fast food has become famous thanks to the fact that it does not take time to prepare, is convenient, can be eaten while chatting, has a good taste, has attractive colours, plus many youthful advertising programs. Eye-catching and easy-to-please promotional forms have attracted many young people every time they pass through these stores However, traditional restaurants still have their appeal in terms of taste and identity, so no matter how refined, fast food still cannot completely replace traditional dishes.

Fast food in the US

2.2.1 Development of fast food in the US

Fast food has a history that predates the invention of the automobile (Brulotte and Di Giovine, 2014) Most people, however, associate fast food with modernism and contemporary culture Americans have grown accustomed to eating fast food, with the number of fast-food restaurants increasing daily According to recent studies, fast food consumption in America increased by more than 400% between 1977 and 1966.

According to Kolmar (2021), the United States has 197,653 fast-food restaurant businesses As of 2021, the US fast food industry market is worth

In the United States, the restaurant industry has always been a behemoth Fast food restaurants are no exception On any given day in America, it is estimated that 36.6 per cent of adults, or 84.4 million people, eat fast Food (Kolmar, 2021) With this kind of data, it is no surprise that this restaurant industry segment is still growing, despite the impact of COVID-19 on the US economy.

Picture 2.4 US fast-food industry revenue over time

According to Gibson (2018), despite warnings about the impact of fast food on health and obesity, more than one-third of American adults eat it on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The rate is exceptionally high among young adults and gradually decreases with age "Fast-food consumption has been associated with increased intake of calories, fat, and sodium," the CDC noted in reporting the prevalence of what medical experts have long considered an unhealthy eating habit, frequently associated with diabetes and heart disease.

The study, the first federal investigation of adult fast-food eating habits, is based on a survey of approximately 10,000 adults conducted between 2013 and 2016 According to the study, nearly half (44.9%) of 20-to39-year-olds eat fast food on any given day For those aged 40 to 59, the rate falls to 37.7 per cent, and for those aged 60 and up, it fails to 24.1% Older men (25.6%) are slightly more likely than older women (22.7%) to eat fast food daily (Gibson, 2018).

2.2.2 Major fast-food brands in the US

According to Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, McDonald's made nearly $46 billion in sales (Lake, 2022) However, despite increasing sales over the previous year, the company has reduced its number of locations by 244 in the United States compared to last year.

McDonald's embraced third-party food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash in 2021, added some pizzazz to the menu with chicken sandwiches and celeb meals, and ultimately raised its prices - all of which contributed to solid sales and its position as America's top fast-food chain.

According to Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, the company will have more than $24 billion in sales by 2021 (Lake, 2022). Starbucks increased sales by focusing on its drive-thru, which accounted for nearly half of all transactions during the pandemic Furthermore, the chain's prices have been steadily rising due to inflation The coffee chain raised menu prices twice in a short period: in October of 2021 and again in January of this year, with more price increases planned by the end of the year Nothing, however, appears to be deterring its supporters.

This "chicken little," ranked third in the big-league rankings, is the most petite chain to compete with the heavyweights Chick-fil-A packs a lot of punch for its size, with only 2,704 locations compared to McDonald's 13,438 in the United States According to Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, it made $16.6 billion in sales last year According to Franchise Times, 2021 was a record-breaking year for Chick-fil-A in revenue and earnings (Lake, 2022).

2.2.3 Fast food and American culture

In general, the strong growth of fast food can be seen in Americans' socioeconomic and cultural life Fast food has become an integral part of their culinary culture Americans are accustomed to fast-food culture People who live fast-paced lives can easily prepare and serve fast foods in minutes

The increased consumption of fast food in America suggests that people lack the desire or time to prepare nutritious meals for their families. According to studies (Taylor, 2021), the average American eats four to five times per week at a fast-food restaurant Despite the presence of fatty and sauces, which contribute to some lifestyle diseases, Americans are seen buzzing in and out of these restaurants like bees in a beehive The success of the fast-food industry is attributed to American values Americans have adopted a high-efficiency lifestyle and live in fast-paced work culture.

Combining these factors has increased the prevalence of fast-food restaurants in large parts of the United States (Brulotte and Di Giovine,

2014) The popularity of fast food has skyrocketed and has spred to other cultures It is quick-to-prepare food consumed by people of all ages and genders Most Americans are rarely bothered by the origins of these foods, how they are prepared, or their effects on the community They take their meals and eat as they rush through their busy days The entire process is quickly forgotten, denying Americans the opportunity to understand their diets better Most Americans have no idea how to prepare these cooked soon and packaged foods.

The majority of city dwellers in the United States are victims of fast- food culture People believe that they are too busy and that eating is a significant burden, so they prefer fast food Aside from convenience, Americans regard fast food as hygienic and efficient, causing most Americans to be carried by the fast-food culture The rapidly expanding fast food industry essentially defines the American way of life It is worth noting that Americans regard fast food as a robust framework that characterizes the American way of life As a result, fast-food culture is gaining popularity throughout the country.

Fast food culture is viewed as satisfying Americans' demands and thus has a close relationship with the people's emotions The industry has also that meet people's expectations There is also stiff competition from fast-food restaurants, which has resulted in extensive advertising Such promotional activities have also contributed significantly to the growing popularity of the fast-food culture There have been colourful advertisements that have driven most Americans insane and made them want to be associated with fast food.

There are several cultural implications to American fast food that should be noted Fast food consumption does not allow for strengthening social and familial ties Most fast foods are take-out, and those who eat in restaurants are not permitted to converse with friends and family members for long periods As a result, compared to other cultures, most American families have fewer opportunities to eat together as a family Cultural identity is not limited to people's food preferences (Brulotte and Di Giovine, 2014) The preparation and consumption of the food, as mentioned earlier, also contribute significantly to an individual's identity.

American fast food, for example, aids in the identification of various social classes Certain norms and standards are followed during dining time inAmerican society In the American dining culture, table manners and other food behaviours are highly valued It is, for example, against their morals to speak with their mouths full of food during dinners Meal sharing is crucial inAmerican culture because it represents equality and acceptance of all parties involved.

RESULTS, REMARKS

The advantages and disadvantages of fast-food culture in

"Fast" is the most significant advantage of fast food Therefore, it is a quick way to satisfy some people's hunger Besides, some positive aspects of fast food can be listed as follows:

Today, many people do not have the time or privilege to prepare their food Those individuals have limited time for meals and cannot design and consume their food within that time frame As a result, fast food keeps those people from going hungry and gives them enough energy to get through the day.

In the US, fast food is diverse, and people can choose from many affordable types, but this is not true for the Vietnamese In Vietnam, fast food is usually more expensive than other street foods, and the choices are not as diverse as street food.

3 Food available at any time

Fast food can be a very effective way for some people to eliminate hunger and gain energy in the long run because it contains many calories per serving The way to prepare is fast and always ready when we need it.

The calorie content of each food item prepared by fast-food industries is disclosed, which can then be used as a guideline for what to eat for a healthier outcome The calorie content of each fast food is also available on the internet, which can help the consumers decide what type of food to order from fast-food manufacturers.

Some disadvantages of fast food are easily noticeable Many people believe that fast food is not healthy if consumed regularly; some say they are cruel to animals, exploit their workers, and degrades the local culture because they convert people's tastes away from traditional foods Fast-food habits are associated with an increase in overweight and obesity in people.

1 Eating more calories when consuming fast food frequently

Fast food contains a high amount of trans fat No amount is considered healthy or beneficial to our bodies It raises our bad cholesterol, lowers our good cholesterol, and raises our risk of heart disease and diabetes This fat can be found in pastries, pizza dough, cookies, and fried foods (Song, 2021).

2 Fast food can adversely affect the cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Most fast-food products are usually high in carbohydrates and have little fibre (Song, 2021) As the digestive system breaks down these foods, the carbs are released as glucose into the bloodstream Eating fast food products creates a spike in sugar that can cause problems with insulin response, increasing the risk of diabetes, weight gain, and insulin resistance.

Frequent consumption of these foods results in the consumption of high-calorie foods, which causes an individual's weight to rise If no self- control is exercised, this weight gain leads to obesity (Song, 2021).

The majority of these meals and drinks have far too many carbohydrates and little to no fibre Consumption of these foods results in a high sugar intake, altering the body's insulin response and increasing the risk of weight gain and diabetes.

5 It is possible that it would be costly

When these foods are consumed regularly, the time required to prepare regularly can be expensive and impact a family's economy Thus, one can maintain a saving habit by reducing fast-food consumption and cooking meals.

6 It has an impact on one’s body

Consuming these foods daily raises carbohydrate and sugar consumption, which are the root causes of most skin problems This also erodes tooth enamel, allowing bacteria to enter and cause cavities It can derail your healthy diet and turn you into an obese person.

The similarities and differences between fast-food culture in

The first similarity is that fast food has become a favourite dish of both Americans and the Vietnamese Americans have had a love for fast food for a long time, Vietnamese people have only known about fast food recently, but its development is undeniable.

Asian cuisine in general and Vietnamese one in particular revolves around "aesthetic culinary conception", evaluating dishes by colour, taste, form, and presentation A delicious dish must have all the elements that satisfy diners in terms of sight, smell and taste Asians prioritize the palatability of their dishes and pay little attention to the nutritional content of each dish Therefore, Vietnamese people tend to eat more street food than fast food.

In contrast, Americans follow the "rational culinary concept" They often pay little attention to the taste and appearance of the dish but put the nutritional factor provided in a meal first Therefore, fast food becomes an indispensable dish in their busy lives.

It can be seen that fast food in the US has grown very rapidly since its inception However, when fast food came to Vietnam, it was delayed for a long time because Vietnamese people have a habit of having the street food. Vietnamese street food still occupies a central position and is preferred over fast-food.

While in the US, fast food is consumed by almost everyone, from children to the elderly, fast food is mainly for young people in Vietnam. According to the trend, they go too fast to enjoy the dynamic feeling of eating ethnic cuisine

Older Vietnamese adults rarely go to these restaurants due to prejudice toward western food Middle-aged and elderly Vietnamese are often obsessed with the traditional food of their homeland, which makes it difficult for them to eat chicken or potatoes imported from some distant country.

For Americans, when choosing fast food, people immediately think of convenience, compactness, and how to "full stomach" in the shortest time, then continue working and studying For many Vietnamese, fast food is not just fast food but is simply understood as junk food and street food. Therefore, when eating fast food, people do not think about having to eat quickly but even enjoy it in a longer time than having regular snacks.

In addition, Vietnamese people go to fast food stores to experience a new feeling They feel like foreigners, no less professional and modern when eating fast food In addition, some argue that the food safety level of fast food is higher than street food, which is healthier As such, the food quality is only a tiny part of attracting customers Other factors such as space, service, and new experiences are essential for Vietnamese people to experience fast food.

5 The largest chain of fast-food stores

The largest fast-food networks in the United States are MacDonald and Subway, while MacDonald is growing slowly in Vietnam The largest fast- food chain in Vietnam is Japan's Lotteria.

When looking at the menus of fast-food restaurants in Vietnam, foreign customers may be a bit surprised There are so many dishes that they can never find anywhere else! The rice dishes on the menu have the dominion, and fish cakes, calamari, and chicken soup can all be served with rice. Somehow, this is how restaurants integrate international and Vietnamese flavours into their dishes to bring Western fast food closer to the locals.

Vietnamese restaurants often use plastic bags instead of paper boxes to store takeaway food Meanwhile, in the US, they use paper boxes to be environmentally friendly.

The causes of the differences in fast-food culture in Vietnam

Each country has its own culture, which affects their personality, actions and food culture.

The difference between fast food in Vietnam and the United States is mainly due to culture The difference between the modern culture of the United States and the traditional culture of Vietnam is the main reason. Vietnamese people are often very proud of their Vietnamese street food which are various, delicious, cheap and healthy with lower fat and cholesterol content and in some respects, it is served faster than western fast food.

Although the fast lifestyle and the changing consumption trends of the young generation are becoming the driving force behind the booming fast food market, street food still plays an essential role in the market in Vietnam.

This chapter provides a conclusion for this thesis Firstly, a brief overview and a summary of the main contents are provided Secondly, the strengths and weaknesses of the theory are discussed Finally, suggestions for further research and a final comment are made.

Recapitulation

Fast food has been multiplying in Vietnam in recent years Some of its advantages are time-saving, various, affordable, always available with plenty of nutrition and calories, which help people to release their hunger quickly.

However, some disadvantages of fast food are easily noticeable Many people believe that fast food is not suitable for health if consumed regularly.

It can adversely affect the cardiovascular and digestive systems, putting the risk of obesity and other digestive problems It can also be costly if consumed regularly.

Regardless of its disadvantages, fast food has become the favourite food of both Americans and Vietnamese but the way people from these two countries accept fast food is different This difference is reflected in the concept of cuisine, the development speed of fast food, the target audience, the purpose of enjoyment, the menu, the development of large restaurant chains and the level of environmental friendliness Cultural differences are the main cause of these differences.

Due to time constraints, there are aspects that this essay has not explored in depth This graduation article is limited to understanding and comparing fast food culture in Vietnam and the United States without detailing each aspect Moreover, the document-based research method also has its limitations, such as not assessing the impact of fast food on people's lives.

The thesis has worked on a fascinating topic that provides additional specific information for the Vietnamese and foreigners The researcher would be glad for this contribution if the view could be a good help Indeed, I would be willing to support any further information from what aspect the idea provides.

I think that if there were other research methods, the graduate paper would be better, for example, interviewing American tourists in Vietnam about their feelings about fast food and Vietnamese street food.

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Suggestions for further studies