If you don't get a lot of responses, I will ask the chef of the place where we go. These people are wonderful and their food is great! I'll let you know. I'll try to get over there on Monday .... ooops, lunch guests and that won't work. Tuesday will. I'll get back to you! You will love the Pho. I've had it at this restaurant and it is great!

Since he's been here for 30 years, I think you can bring whatever you'd bring to anyone's house.

The orchid idea sounds really nice.

I found this online, hope it helps:

Vietnamese society has a fair amount of public etiquette. The following are some of the more common points:

. Avoid public displays of affection with a member of the opposite sex.
. Do not touch someone's head.
. Pass items with both hands.
. Do not point with your finger - use your hand.
. Do not stand with your hands on your hips.
. Do not cross your arms on your chest.
. Do not pass anything over someone's head.
. Do not touch anyone on the shoulder.
. Do not touch a member of the opposite sex.
. Shorts should only be worn at the beach.

Dining Etiquette

If invited to a Vietnamese home:
. Bring fruit, sweets, flowers, fruit, or incense.
. Gifts should be wrapped in colourful paper.
. Do not give handkerchiefs, anything black, yellow flowers or chrysanthemums.

Table Manners

. Wait to be shown where to sit.
. The oldest person should sit first.
. Pass dishes with both hands.
. The most common utensils are chopsticks and a flat spoon.
. Chopsticks should be placed on the table or a chopstick rest after every few mouthfuls or when breaking to drink or speak.
. People hold bowls close to their faces.
. Hold the spoon in your left hand while eating soup.
. Meals are typically served family-style.
. Try to finish everything on your plate.
. When you are finished eating, rest your chopsticks on top of your rice bowl.
. Cover your mouth when using a toothpick.

Thanks, Spacific. I brought two bunchs of glads, one in purple and the other in pink, they went well together. The pho bo was wonderful. He had a huge stockpot of broth on the stove, and as visitors showed up (neighbors, friends), each dish was prepared separately, and eaten wherever, at the table but most likely in front of the soccer match on TV. It was like an open house, with people coming and going. I had no idea what to expect, but I figured that I was just one of a parade of visitors invited for Pho, which they don't make often.

The dish itself was awesome, and I am assured that you can't find any restaurants that serve it half a s good. This one had chicken and large shrimp, and then very thin- sliced raw beef that cooked in the broth. So they heated up a small saucepan of the broth to boiling, cooked a serving of rice noodles separately. Put noodles, shrimp, chicken and raw beef (chicken and shrimp were cooked) into a bowl, then added the boiling broth. Garnishes at the table were bean sprouts, cilantro leaves, basil leaves, hoisin sauce , sriricha, lemon wedges. Add to taste.

A very nice experience with lovely food!

Yum, it sounds delicious and unique. I've never had pho in a restaurant but I'll bet I could find a combination that I love from that assortment.

Annie

Pho is good stuff. I've only had it in a restaurant. Alice and I eat it often. I have a friend who practically lives on pho. She says she can tell she is consuming something with wonderful and ancient origins.

What a treat, Sushipup. It sounds like a fun time. It's nice to share food in such an informal way. I too have only had pho bo in restaurants... yum!