At many universities, it is no longer unusual to see students bringing bread, milk tea, or even instant noodles into the classroom. With packed schedules, short breaks, and the habit of “eat quickly – study immediately,” many students consider it normal. It is common to see someone holding a cup of coffee while listening to a lecture or notice the faint smell of fast food lingering around a study table.

Thuy Duong, a third-year student at the Academy of Finance, said her busy class schedule sometimes forces her to eat during short breaks, though she always tries not to disturb others. Many students admit that bringing food into class stems from practical needs, but it can unintentionally distract those around them.

Students often bring food also because they do not have time to eat at home. In addition to studying, many have part-time jobs to cover living expenses, and work hours often take away from their study time.

A survey of 200 students from several universities and junior colleges showed that about 80 percent have worked or are working part-time while studying. Among them, 50 percent work at cafés or convenience stores, while 30 percent take freelance jobs such as tutoring, sales collaboration, or online work. The trend of students working part-time is becoming increasingly common.

Universities take action

Students bringing food and drinks to class clearly affects common learning space. Many educational institutions have regulations in their school culture code in an effort to prevent this.

Some southern universities like Van Hien University, Nam Can Tho University and Can Tho University have regulations banning bringing food to class to ensure a serious learning environment. 

At Foreign Trade University (campus II - HCMC), the regulation is stated in the internal rules and publicly posted on the school website. Depending on the severity and number of violations, students can be deducted up to five points per violation from the semester training score, warned, criticized, reprimanded, or cautioned.

The rules say students are not allowed to bring food and drinks (bottled water is allowed) into the classroom. Regarding elevator culture, students need to be line in the designated place, no pushing, no jostling; staff, lecturers and guests should use the elevator first; everyone must yield to those next to enter the elevator first, and then those outside can enter; after entering the elevator, people should stand close to both sides or inside so that those behind can step inside, and avoid blocking the elevator door;

Many educational institutions have not issued specific regulations but lecturers set separate class rules to maintain a serious atmosphere. 

Dr. Tran Thi Van Anh, lecturer at Academy of Journalism and Communication, said: "Students bringing food to class can make the whole class lose concentration and affect learning atmosphere. I always warn from the beginning that no food or drinks are allowed in my classes.”

Similarly, at Phenikaa University, after a video clip of students bringing food to class caused controversy, the school disciplined the involved students. Although the school did not issue a specific ban afterward, according to students, everyone has become more self-aware and has tried not to affect the class atmosphere.

Overall, these internal rules are not meant to restrict students but to build a civilized, clean, and focused learning environment. In technical, design, computer lab, or laboratory classes, food and drinks can even damage equipment.

Self-awareness 

Many universities have recently emphasized promoting classroom etiquette. From forms of address and dress to eating behavior, all reflect students’ learning attitude and respect for other people in shared spaces.

The “eating noodles in class” incident may seem trivial, but in a broader context, it highlights gaps in communication skills and awareness among some students. Maintaining a clean, quiet, and respectful classroom is not just a rule, but represents modern academic culture, where freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility.

A lecturer from FPT Polytechnic College said: “After the incident, the school did not ban students from bringing food into class but encouraged them to be self-disciplined and considerate. In fact, many students have already taken the event as a lesson to avoid repeating the same mistake in the future.”

Tu Anh