Sean I chuckled with your comment of not using napkins. I am in Hanoi now. Even staying in nicer hotels,
You sometimes need to search out napkins . My bf is Vietnamese. Many times when he and friends are sitting
Around eating they will have one group wash cloth nearby If needed. Vietnamese love to fit around on the floor with large group of family or friends. They love their food and are very good at not wearing it, but for the floor
After the meal, that can be a big clean up job.