Housewives in Hanoi are struggling to choose alternatives for their families as chicken and pork are causing concern amid bird flu and swine flu outbreaks.

Housewives in Hanoi are struggling to choose alternatives for their families as chicken and pork are causing concern amid bird flu and swine flu outbreaks

Huong from Dong Da District, said, “I find it really difficult to cook for my family without pork and poultry meat as prices of some common aquatic products like shrimps are relatively high. Fish is also said to contain chemicals while we can’t eat tofu all days.”

Mai, from Hai Ba Trung District, said she has stopping buying poultry in the last two weeks after hearing about the re-occurrence of bird flu.

She has found it hard finding alternative dishes for her husband and father-in-law who are avid meat eaters.

“My husband and father-in-law love meat so I bought some from the supermarket, even though it’s more expensive,” Mai said.

Finding the way

Due to the difficulties in clarifying the point of origin of food produce, many people in Hanoi have opted to order foodstuff from their hometowns.

“I’m happier buying poultry from my relatives in the countryside. The prices are also much cheaper as well,” Hien, a woman from Hoang Mai District said.

She often brings chickens to Hanoi whenever she visits her hometown. Sometimes, her parents send them, which are relatively enough for their daily meals.

A woman named Phuc from Hoang Mai District also prefers buying ingredients from her hometown.

“Several of my friends and colleagues in Hanoi have asked for me to buy them pork or poultry from my relatives,” she added.