Thuoc Lao: The Vietnamese Tobaccos by bamboo pipe
Thuoc Lao refers to smoking wild tobacco by locals in Vietnam – this entertaining yet strong Vietnamese tobacco has evolved from an old tradition into a common habit among locals. If you’re unfamiliar with Thuoc Lao, this blog post is your guide to understanding what it is, how to smoke, if you are a curious tourist.
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Video: A foreign traveler is trying "Thuoc Lao"
Thuốc Lào: Traditional Bamboo Pipe Smoking in Vietnam
Thuốc lào is a traditional form of bamboo pipe smoking in Vietnam. slightly similar to the Shisha smoked in middle-east. The Thuc Lao involves smoking highly potent nicotine leaves through a water pipe, which delivers nicotine rapidly to the bloodstream. This can cause intense dizziness or, for first-timers, even immediate fainting. The high you get, typically lasts up to 10 seconds. Reported side effects include nausea and vomiting. For curious tourists, we strongly advise against smoking or trying Thuốc lào.
Smoking Thuoc Lao
It’s all about enjoying small moments to get a quick high by smoking Thuốc Lào in a bamboo pipe. You’ll often see some locals smoking it while sitting on street at famous local Tra Da (iced tea), sipping beer or iced green tea—especially after lunch. This is a common Vietnamese habit: walking to the nearest tea stall to drink tea and smoke Thuốc Lào.
An interesting thing about running a tea corner, or what I call it, a tea stop in the street is that you only need to buy a few simple items such as plastic tables and chairs [Preferably in blue color], a few pack of cigarettes, some simple items such as mango fruit, guava fruit, and the most important thing that is indispensable the tobacco pipe or the “Thuoc Lao”.
Ms. Lan, who runs a Thuốc Lào tea corner on Tan Mai Street in Hanoi, says, “Every day, the tea corner serves hundreds of visitors who come mainly to drink tea and some of them to smoke Thuốc Lào, so I make sure everything is well-prepared to meet their expectations.” She adds that ethnic minorities in the western regions of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces grow the tobacco plants. Wild tobacco used for Thuốc Lào contains about 9% nicotine, significantly higher than the 1-3% found in cigarettes.
Is smoking Thuoc lao illegal?
No, smoking Thuốc Lào is not illegal. Many believe it is less harmful than cigarettes, which has led to a rapid increase in its popularity. However, Thuốc Lào is highly addictive, and quitting can become very challenging. The misconception that it’s less harmful because the smoke is filtered through water has influenced many.
Fun thing about smoking the Thuoc Lao
Some locals say they feel relaxed and chilled after smoking the local tobacco, Thuốc Lào. However, the amusing part is how quickly the smoke from the bamboo pipe can make you high. This smoking habit is widespread across Vietnam, and as mentioned earlier, people of all ages often smoke it on various occasions.
Travelers are frequently curious about the question: What are they smoking in those bamboo pipes? Many are instantly tempted to take a shot to experience the feeling. For first-timers, though, the intense effect often leads to fainting within seconds, much to the amusement of locals, who may laugh and even record their reactions after that single inhale.
That said, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy a perfect day in Vietnam. Whether you’re a teen, an adult, or a curious tourist, we recommend exploring the best spots for a massage or other unique experiences Vietnam has to offer. Check out Vietnamese Massage
The bamboo pipes
There are few different types of bamboo pipes, to smoke with. Vietnamese use a pipe called a bamboo bong to smoke Thuốc Lào. There are three main types of bamboo bongs in Vietnam;
The "Dieu Cay"
This bamboo pile is the most popular and probably the one you see when people smoking from. It consists of a 50-centimeter bamboo cylinder with a small bowl-shaped hole. One end is sealed to hold a bit of water, while the other is open for smoking. People place tobacco in the bowl, light it, inhale, and then exhale the smoke. The sound of the dieu cay adds to the experience for smokers. Smoking Thuốc Lào with a dieu cay is convenient, flavorful, and affordable, making it a daily habit for many workers and farmers.
Dieu Bat
This type is a ceramic pipe bowl that serves as a water catchment and a small, straight stem made from a 50-centimeter bamboo tube. Vietnamese, place tobacco in the hole above the bowl, light it, inhale, enjoy the sensation, and exhale the smoke. The bowl of the điếu bát is often decorated with intricate and sophisticated patterns, making it popular among royals and mandarins. Due to its inconvenience for travel, the điếu bát is mainly used at home, with old nobles often relying on servants to hold the pipe and light it. Pairing it with a scented teapot after smoking makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Dieu Ong
The Điếu ống (pronounced Dioo-Om ) is a 30-centimeter tube made from precious wood, animal bones, or ivory. It features silver hoops, handles, and a rim. With intricately carved patterns, it is popular among wealthy families. Servants carry the Điếu ống with their masters wherever they go.
How to smoke the "Thuoc Lao"
Smoke Thuốc Lào with a bamboo pipe – To get high the true Vietnamese way, all you need is a pipe made of bamboo, a small amount of Vietnamese wild tobacco, and a lighter to burn the tobacco up. To experience pipe smoking, simply visit any street stall. Order a cup of green tea, pack the tobacco into the điếu cây (bamboo pipe), light it, wait a moment, then gently blow the ash out of the pipe. Take a deep puff from the pipe while sipping your tea, let the smoke out from your mouth, and you’ll feel extremely “phe”—a term Vietnamese people use to describe the high feeling. You might want to ask someone nearby to catch you in case you faint from the intensity. You’ll also get hooked on the unique sound made when smoking Thuốc Lào—it’s pretty cool.
Where to buy bamboo pipe to smoke Thuoc Lao?
Thuốc Lào should be smoked using the tobacco pipes, which is made from bamboo or stainless steel. Handcrafted bamboo pipes from Hanoi or Thanh Hoa are considered the best options to buy. Bamboo pipes are more popular, as locals believe they provide a better smoking experience.
You can easily find these pipes at local markets, which are common on most streets. They are affordable and come in various sizes, with prices ranging from 100,000 VND to 500,000 VND. These markets also sell the tobacco (Thuoc Lao).
Is it safe to smoke Thuoc Lao?
Is it safe to smoke Thuoc Lao while in Vietnam or Laos? Scientific research proves that smoking Vietnamese tobacco poses serious health risks and is far more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. Choking to death or experiencing sudden fainting from inhaling a large amount of smoke are just a few examples of its harmful effects. Despite these risks, it remains popular in the central and northern regions of the country, especially among minority and rural communities.
