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Food in Vietnam is known for its balance of flavours, using ingredients like herbs, rice, and seafood. Many dishes include fish sauce, lime, and chilli, mixing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes. Rice and noodles are the main staples, served with meats, vegetables, and herbs. The most popular dishes include Pho, banh mi and goi cuon. Street food is a big part of Vietnamese culture, with vendors selling warm bowls of noodles, crispy pancakes, and grilled meats. Vietnamese food is loved worldwide for its light but rich flavours, fresh ingredients, and colourful presentation.
10 Best Food In Vietnam
Here are the best food in Vietnam, highlighting the fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and rich culinary traditions that make Vietnamese cuisine unique:
1. Phở
Photo: Blue Lotus / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Phở is a beloved food in Vietnam, consisting of rice noodles served in a fragrant broth. It is made from simmered beef or chicken bones, star anise, cinnamon, and other spices. It is traditionally topped with thinly sliced meat, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime. A staple breakfast dish, Phở is enjoyed across the country with regional variations. Northern-style Phở has a clearer broth. The Southern version is slightly sweeter with more herbs. It’s a comforting, flavourful dish perfect for any time of day.
Popular Places To Try: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang
Worldwide Variations: Khao Piak Sen (Laos), Kuy Teav (Cambodia), and Ramen (Japan)
2. Bánh Mì
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Bánh Mì is a globally recognised food in Vietnam, a fusion of French and Vietnamese flavours. This crispy baguette is filled with meats such as grilled pork, pate, chicken, pickled vegetables, fresh coriander, and chilli. The balance of crunchy bread, savoury fillings, and tangy vegetables makes it a perfect on-the-go meal. Found in street stalls and bakeries, Bánh Mì is a must-try for visitors. Some variations include egg, tofu, or seafood, catering to different tastes.
Popular Places To Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi
Worldwide Variations: Baguette Sandwich (France), Tortas (Mexico), Panini (Italy)
3. Gỏi Cuốn (Spring Rolls)
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Gỏi Cuốn, or Vietnamese spring rolls, are among the best food. The light, rice paper rolls are stuffed with shrimp, noodles, herbs, and lettuce and served with a peanut dipping sauce. In contrast to deep-fried spring rolls, Gỏi Cuốn provides a cool, light flavour. Served as an appetiser, it is a healthy and tasty option. Some alternatives are adding pork, tofu, or mango for a flavoring. The freshness of the ingredients combined with the dipping sauce makes it a delicious meal.
Popular Places To Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi
Worldwide Variations: Fresh Rolls (Thailand), Lumpia (Philippines), and Summer Rolls (USA)
4. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
Photo: Christopher Crouzet / Wikimedia Commons
Cơm Tấm is a classic street food made from broken rice grains. It is often served with grilled pork, a fried egg, and pickled vegetables. Originally a dish for poorer communities, it has become a favourite across Vietnam. The rice has a unique texture, absorbing the rich flavours of fish sauce and meat. Topped with scallion oil and crispy pork skin, it delivers a satisfying crunch. It’s commonly enjoyed for breakfast or lunch, paired with a small bowl of soup.
Popular Places To Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Nang
Worldwide Variations: Nasi Campur (Indonesia), Plate Lunch (Hawaii), and Bibimbap (Korea)
5. Bún Chả
Photo: stuart_spivack / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bún Chả is a famous food made with grilled pork patties. This is served in a bowl of sweet and tangy fish sauce broth alongside vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs. Originating from Hanoi, this dish is enjoyed by dipping the noodles and herbs into the broth before eating. The smoky, caramelised pork balances perfectly with the freshness of mint and lettuce. Often accompanied by pickled vegetables and crispy spring rolls, Bún Chả is a must-try dish for visitors exploring Vietnamese cuisine.
Popular Places To Try: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City
Worldwide Variations: Tsukemen (Japan), Bun Thit Nuong (Vietnam), and Noodle Salad (USA)
6. Bánh Xèo
Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bánh Xèo, meaning “sizzling pancake,” is a delicious food made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. It’s stuffed with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and onions, then pan-fried until crispy. Served with fresh lettuce, herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce, each bite combines crunch, freshness, and savoury flavours. The dish is often cut into smaller pieces and wrapped in rice paper or lettuce before dipping. It’s a popular street food, especially in Vietnam’s central and southern regions.
Popular Places To Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue
Worldwide Variations: Okonomiyaki (Japan), Crepe (France), Martabak (Indonesia)
7. Cao Lầu
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Cao Lầu is a famous food in Vietnam, particularly in Hoi An. It features thick, chewy noodles unique to the region, served with slices of barbecue pork, fresh greens, and crispy rice crackers. The secret to its distinct flavour comes from water sourced from Hoi An’sAn’s ancient wells, giving the noodles a special texture. Unlike other Vietnamese noodle dishes, Cao Lầu has little broth, making it more like a dry noodle salad. Its mix of textures and bold flavours makes it a must-try.
Popular Places To Try: Hoi An, Da Nang, Quang Nam
Worldwide Variations: Udon (Japan), Mee Pok (Singapore), and Lo Mein (China)
8. Chả Cá
Photo: Phương Huy (thảo luận) / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chả Cá is the best food known for its fragrant turmeric-marinated fish, usually catfish or snakehead fish. The fish is pan-fried with lots of fresh dill and spring onions, giving it a unique aroma. It’s served with vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, and a fish sauce-based dipping sauce. Originating from Hanoi, this dish is often cooked at the table, making for an interactive dining experience. The combination of crispy, flavourful fish and fresh herbs makes it a favourite among seafood lovers.
Popular Places To Try: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh
Worldwide Variations: Amok Trey (Cambodia), Grilled Fish (USA), and Masala Fish (India)
9. Hủ Tiếu
Photo: Sean Chiu / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Hủ Tiếu is the best street food a noodle soup especially popular in the south. The broth is light yet flavourful, often made with pork bones and dried shrimp. It’s served with either egg noodles or rice noodles, topped with pork, shrimp, and quail eggs. Some versions come as a dry noodle dish with broth on the side. Hủ Tiếu is commonly found in street-side stalls, where each vendor has their unique way of preparing it.
Popular Places To Try: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Mekong Delta
Worldwide Variations: Kway Teow Soup (Malaysia), Pho Nam Vang (Cambodia), Ramen (Japan)
10. Bánh Cuốn
Photo: Vietcuongdao / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bánh Cuốn is a classic street food in Vietnam, made from thin steamed rice sheets filled with ground pork, mushrooms, and shallots. It’s served with a tangy fish sauce-based dip, fresh herbs, and crispy fried shallots. The silky texture of the rice rolls combined with the savoury filling creates a delicate yet flavourful dish. Often eaten for breakfast, Bánh Cuốn is a lighter alternative to noodle-based dishes. Some variations include shrimp or crispy fried rolls on the side.
Popular Places To Try: Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh
Worldwide Variations: Cheung Fun (China), Khao Piek (Laos), and Steamed Dumplings (USA)
Food in Vietnam is often light and tasteful, using herbs, rice, and spices. Street food is essential to Vietnamese culture, bringing people together to enjoy simple but delicious meals. Whether eating at home, in a restaurant, or on the streets, Vietnamese food continues to be enjoyed by people everywhere. Book your trip with TripXL and savour the authentic flavours of Vietnam.
Cover Photo: androog / Wikimedia Commons
