Vietnamese food is one of the best reasons to visit, and one of the healthiest and cheapest cuisines in the world to eat every day. It is built on fresh herbs, rice, light broths and a balance of sweet, sour, salty and hot, and it changes as you travel from the delicate north to the fiery, sweeter south. This guide covers what to eat in Vietnam on a first trip and where each dish is best. For the whole picture, see our Vietnam travel guide.
The dishes to try first
- Pho. The national dish, a clear beef or chicken noodle broth with herbs, best for breakfast and best in Hanoi where it began.
- Banh mi. A crisp baguette, a legacy of the French, filled with pate, pork, pickled vegetables and chilli. The world's best sandwich for the price.
- Bun cha. Grilled pork patties in a sweet and sour dipping broth with noodles and herbs, the signature dish of Hanoi.
- Fresh spring rolls. Goi cuon, translucent rice paper rolls of prawn, herbs and noodles with a peanut dip, light and healthy.
- Cao lau and white rose. The specialities of Hoi An, a smoky noodle dish and delicate shrimp dumplings you find almost nowhere else.
- Com tam and banh xeo. Broken rice with grilled pork and a sizzling turmeric crepe, both stars of the southern table.
Regional differences
Knowing the three regional styles tells you what to expect as you travel the country.
| Region | Where | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| North | Hanoi | Subtle, less sweet, clear broths, pho and bun cha |
| Centre | Hue, Hoi An | Spicier and more complex, imperial dishes, cao lau |
| South | Ho Chi Minh City | Sweeter, more herbs and coconut, com tam and banh xeo |
Coffee and drinks
Vietnam is one of the world's great coffee countries, and drinking it is an experience in itself. Order ca phe sua da, strong drip coffee over ice and sweet condensed milk, or the famous egg coffee in Hanoi, whipped egg yolk and sugar over espresso. Fresh beer, bia hoi, is cheap and light on street corner stools, and fresh sugar cane and fruit juices are everywhere.
Eating as a vegetarian
Vegetarians eat well in Vietnam thanks to a strong Buddhist tradition. Look for com chay or an chay signs for meat free restaurants, common near pagodas and on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month. Fresh spring rolls, tofu dishes and vegetable pho are widely available, though ask for no fish sauce, since it flavours many otherwise vegetable dishes.
How to eat well and safely
- Eat at busy street stalls where the turnover is high and the food is fresh.
- Sit on the little plastic stools with the locals. That is where the best food is.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and ask for less ice if you are cautious early in the trip.
- Try the regional specialities in their home city, where they are done best.
If planning all this yourself feels like a lot, a packaged Vietnam tour package bundles hotels, transfers and day tours into one booking.
Frequently asked questions
What food must you try in Vietnam?
Pho for breakfast, a banh mi sandwich, bun cha in Hanoi, fresh spring rolls, and cao lau in Hoi An. Add a ca phe sua da iced coffee and you have covered the essentials north to south.
Is Vietnamese street food safe to eat?
Yes, generally. Choose busy stalls with high turnover where the food is cooked fresh in front of you, and stick to bottled or filtered water. Street food is where the best and cheapest Vietnamese food is found.
Can vegetarians eat well in Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam has a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition, with com chay meat free restaurants near pagodas. Order fresh spring rolls, tofu dishes and vegetable pho, and ask for no fish sauce.
What is Vietnamese coffee?
Strong dark roast coffee brewed through a small metal drip filter, usually served over ice with sweet condensed milk as ca phe sua da. Hanoi is also famous for egg coffee, made with whipped egg yolk and sugar.
More Vietnam travel guides
- Vietnam Travel Guide: Visa, Money, Transport and Tips
- 12 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam: North to South
- Vietnam Itinerary: How Many Days and Sample 7 to 15 Day Routes
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