Food & Dining in Vietnam
Vietnam is a food paradise. The cuisine emphasizes fresh herbs, balanced flavors, and regional diversity—all at remarkably low prices.
Street Food Culture
Street food is the heart of Vietnamese cuisine:
| Dish | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pho | $1.50-2.50 | Rice noodle soup, beef or chicken |
| Banh Mi | $1-1.50 | Baguette sandwich with meats/pate |
| Com Tam | $1.50-2.50 | Broken rice with grilled pork |
| Bun Cha | $2-3 | Grilled pork with noodles (Hanoi) |
| Banh Xeo | $2-3 | Crispy savory pancake |
| Goi Cuon | $1-2 | Fresh spring rolls |
| Cao Lau | $2-3 | Hoi An noodles |
| Ca Phe Sua Da | $0.50-1 | Iced coffee with condensed milk |
Daily street food budget: $5-10 for 3 meals + coffee
Restaurant Types
| Type | Meal Cost | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Street vendor | $1-2 | Plastic stools, sidewalk |
| Local restaurant | $2-4 | Simple, air-con possible |
| Mid-range Vietnamese | $5-10 | Comfortable, menu |
| Upscale Vietnamese | $15-30 | Fine dining |
| Western food | $8-20 | Imported ingredients |
| Japanese/Korean | $10-25 | Popular in cities |
Regional Cuisines
Northern (Hanoi):
- More subtle flavors
- Pho (original style)
- Bun Cha (Obama's famous meal)
- Cha Ca (turmeric fish)
- Less sweet, less spicy
Central (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang):
- Spiciest region
- Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodles)
- Cao Lau (Hoi An only)
- Mi Quang (turmeric noodles)
- Royal cuisine influence in Hue
Southern (HCMC, Mekong):
- Sweeter flavors
- More herbs and vegetables
- Hu Tieu (pork noodle soup)
- Banh Mi (best here)
- French colonial influence
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Co.opmart: Local chain, good prices
- Vinmart/VinMart+: Convenient, widespread
- Lotte Mart: Korean chain, imported goods
- Big C: Large hypermarket
- Aeon: Japanese, premium selection
Markets:
- Fresh produce, meat, seafood
- Much cheaper than supermarkets
- Ben Thanh (HCMC tourist), Dong Xuan (Hanoi)
- Local wet markets throughout
Monthly grocery budget: $100-200 for one person
Dietary Considerations
Vegetarian/Vegan (Chay):
- Buddhist vegetarian food widely available
- Look for "Com Chay" restaurants
- "An chay" = vegetarian
- Growing vegan scene in cities
Allergies:
- Peanuts common in many dishes
- Fish sauce ubiquitous (including "vegetarian" dishes)
- Shellfish/seafood prevalent
- Communication can be challenging
Halal:
- Limited but available in major cities
- Growing Muslim population
- District 1 HCMC has options
Tipping Culture
- Not expected at local restaurants
- Not expected at street food
- Service charge may be added at upscale places
- Small tips appreciated at nice restaurants (5-10%)
Pro Tips
- •Street food is often the best food—follow the crowds and long lines
- •Pho in the north is different from the south—try both styles
- •Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da) is strong and delicious
- •Fish sauce is in almost everything—alert servers if allergic
- •Local markets have much better prices than supermarkets
Have questions about food & dining in Vietnam?