Vietnamese Beef Grilled in Grape Leaves: Bo la Lot

Name: Vietnamese Beef Grilled in Grape Leaves: Bo la Lot
Ingredients: 12 ounces ground beef; 1 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced; 1 large clove garlic, peeled and minced; 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass from the white bulb; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 24 la lot leaves or small grape leaves; Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes and drained; Nuoc Cham, dipping sauce; 5 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons water; 1/3 cup fish sauce; 1/2 cup lime or lemon juice (about 3 limes or 2 lemons); 1 large clove garlic, crushed, peeled and sliced or minced; 1 or more bird's eye or Thai chiles, seeded and sliced or minced; 1 shallot, peeled, thinly sliced, rinsed, and drained (optional)