How to Read Egg Carton Dates in Vietnam: What Every Expat Needs to Know

Vietnamese egg carton dates show production date (when laid), NOT expiration date, so "15-01-26" means eggs laid January 15, 2026 using DD-MM-YY format (not American MM-DD-YY), and remain fresh for 30 days at room temperature or several weeks longer when refrigerated. The key difference from Western markets: unwashed Vietnamese eggs retain natural protective coating extending shelf life, so cartons displaying dates 2-3 weeks ago are perfectly safe if stored properly, use float test when uncertain (fresh eggs sink flat, older eggs stand upright, bad eggs float).

When I first moved to Da Nang from Minneapolis, I found myself standing in front of the refrigerator at Big C, staring at a carton of eggs with what looked like an expired date. The carton showed a date from two weeks ago. Being the cautious Midwesterner I am, I almost put them back on the shelf.

Good thing I did some research first, because those eggs were perfectly fine. Here is what I learned about Vietnamese egg dating that every expat in 2026 needs to understand.

The Date Shows When the Egg Was Laid, Not When It Expires

This is the most important thing to know: Vietnamese egg cartons display the production date, meaning the day the egg was laid. This is completely different from expiration or "best by" dates you see back in the States. Once you understand this, everything makes sense.

That date you see stamped on the carton? It tells you when your eggs came into the world, not when they go bad.

Understanding the Date Format

Vietnam uses the DD-MM-YY format for dates, which can throw off Americans used to MM-DD-YY. So when you see "15-01-26" on an egg carton, that means January 15, 2026, not some confusing month called "15."

Take a moment to get familiar with this format. It will save you from unnecessary confusion at the grocery store.

How Long Do Eggs Actually Last?

Here is where the practical knowledge comes in:

• Room temperature: Eggs stay fresh for about 30 days when stored at room temperature
• Refrigerated: Eggs last significantly longer when kept in the fridge, often several weeks beyond the 30-day room temperature window

The key factor is whether the eggs have been washed. Unwashed eggs (common here in Vietnam) have a natural protective coating that helps them last longer, especially when refrigerated.

My Soft-Boiled Egg Revelation

After learning all this, I went ahead and cooked up four soft-boiled eggs that I had been avoiding for days because I thought they were "expired." They were absolutely fine. Delicious, actually.

This experience taught me an important lesson about expat life: always question your assumptions. What seems obvious based on how things work back home might be completely different here.

Practical Tips for Egg Shopping in Da Nang

• Check the date format: Remember it is DD-MM-YY, not the American MM-DD-YY
• Do the math: If the production date is within 30 days and you plan to refrigerate, you are good to go
• Store properly: Keep eggs refrigerated to extend their freshness
• When in doubt, float test: Place an egg in water. Fresh eggs sink and lay flat. Older eggs stand upright. Bad eggs float.

Final Thoughts

Living in Vietnam means constantly learning new things, even about something as simple as buying eggs at local markets and supermarkets. These small cultural differences are part of what makes expat life interesting. Once you understand the local dating system, you will never second-guess yourself at the grocery store again.

Related Da Nang Living Resources

• Da Nang City Guide - Complete expat overview
• Food & Dining in Da Nang
• Shopping & Markets
• More Vietnam Living Guides