Planning a trip to Vietnam? Well, you are in for a culinary treat when it comes to street food in Vietnam. There is no place quite like the bustling, aroma-filled streets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Hoi An. Vietnam is a paradise for food lovers, offering many dishes that burst with flavors, spices, and freshness. Whether you are a fan of savory bites, tangy soups, or sweet treats, the street food of Vietnam has everything for everyone. But with so many options, where do you even begin?
This guide will walk you through the 10 best street foods in Vietnam, each with its unique taste history and best spots to try. Let’s dive into this flavorful journey and discover why Vietnamese street food will make your trip un-pho-gettable.
10 Best Street Foods Of Vietnam For Authentic Culinary Experience
Vietnam Street food scene is a vibrant mix of flavors, colors, and textures that perfectly captures the country’s rich culinary culture. From bustling street corners to lively markets, every dish tells a story – of heritage, regional specialties, and unique local ingredients. Whether you are a foodie or a first-time traveler, these top 10 Vietnamese street foods promise an unforgettable taste of authentic Vietnam.
Banh Mi: A Vietnamese Sandwich
Banh Mi is a Vietnamese icon that blends perfectly with French and Vietnamese culinary influences into one delicious sandwich. This crispy baguette is typically filled with layers of savory ingredients, including pate, cold cuts, cucumber pickled carrots, daikon, and a touch of chili. Each bite perfectly harmonizes textures and flavors, making banh mi a must-try street food in Vietnam.
- Best Places to Try: Banh Mi Phuong, Hoi An and Huynh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City
- Cost for Two: Around 20,000 – 35,000 VND
Pho: Soulful Vietnamese Noodle Soup
No list of Vietnamese street food would be complete without Pho, the country’s most famous noodle soup. A comforting bowl of Pho combines thinly sliced beef or chicken with soft rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a warm aromatic broth that’s been simmered for hours. A squeeze of lime, a dash of chili, and a handful of fresh herbs are all you need to make this dish pop. Definitely, nothing beats a good bowl of heartwarming Pho to start your day in Vietnam.
- Best Places to Try: Pho Gia Truyen, Hanoi, and Pho Le in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cost for Two: Around 40,000 – 60,000 VND
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Goi Cuon: Fresh Spring Rolls
These delicate, fresh spring rolls are perfect for a light, refreshing snack. Wrapped in rice paper, goi cuon, which is also known as the Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, is filled with shrimp, herbs, vermicelli, and sometimes pork. They are served with a side of Hoisin-peanut sauce that perfectly balances savory and sweet. Unlike deep-fried spring rolls, these are served fresh, making them a healthier option packed with nutrients and bright flavors. Each bite delivers a fresh herbaceous taste with just a hint of savory sweetness from the sauce.
- Best Places to Try: Quan An Ngon in Hanoi and Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cost for Two: Around 5,000 – 10,000 VND
Bun Cha: Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
Bun cha is a Hanoi specialty that will make your taste buds dance. It features grilled pork patties served over vermicelli noodles with a side of fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a tangy dipping sauce. The smoky flavor from the grilled meat pairs beautifully with the light, fresh noodles and spices, creating a memorable meal.
- Best Places to Try: Bun Cha Huong Lien in Hanoi and Street Stalls near Old Quarter in Hanoi
- Cost for Two: Around 30,000 – 50,000 VND
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Banh Xeo: Street Food Pancake
Crispy golden and filled with goodness, Banh Xeo is a savory pancake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. This Vietnamese pancake is stuffed with shrimp, pork bean sprouts, and green onions. It’s folded in half and served with a basket of fresh greens and a tangy dipping sauce. Wrap each bite in lettuce leaves for an explosion of textures and flavors.
- Best Places to Try: Banh Xeo 46A in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Duong in Da Nang
- Cost for Two: Around 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Che: A Sweet Dessert Soup
Che is a delightful and colorful street food in Vietnam found all over Vietnam. This sweet dessert soup pudding or drink is incredibly versatile, with countless varieties that appeal to every type of sweet tooth. Made with various ingredients like mung beans, black-eyed peas, tapioca, jelly fruit, coconut milk, and even glutinous rice. This is served in a glass or bowl and enjoyed with a spoon. One of the best parts about enjoying Che as a Vietnamese food street is seeing it prepared right in front of you. The popular varieties of Che include Che Ba Mau (three-color Dessert), Che Troi Nuoc, and Che Thai.
- Best Places to Try: Che 3 Mien in Hanoi and Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cost for Two: Around 10,000 – 15,000 VND
Ca Phe Sua Da: An Iced Coffee
For coffee lovers, ca phe sua da is a must-try in Vietnam. This strong dark coffee is brewed using a traditional Vietnamese drip filter and served over ice with sweetened condensed milk. The result is a deliciously bold, creamy, and refreshing drink that’s perfect for Vietnam’s warm weather. Made with dark and strong Vietnamese-grown coffee brewed through a small metal drip filter directly over ice and sweetened condensed milk, it creates a uniquely strong, sweet, and creamy beverage.
- Best Places to Try: Cong Ca Phe in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and any street corner cafe
- Cost for Two: Around 12,000 – 20,000 VND
Bot Chein: Fried Rice Flour Cake
Popular among the younger crowd, chein is a crispy, savory snack made from rice flour cakes fried until golden. Served with egg, green onions, and a side of sweet soy sauce, it’s a tasty dish that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s the ideal snack to grab from street vendors in the evenings.
- Best Places to Try: District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City and Street Vendors in Hanoi
- Cost for Two: Around 10,000 – 20,000 VND
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Cao Lau: Hoi An’s Specialty Noodles
Cao Lau is a noodle dish unique to Hoi An. It features chewy noodles made with water from an ancient Cham well, giving it a distinctive texture. Topped with pork slices, fresh herbs, and crispy rice crackers, Cao Lau has a blend of textures and flavors that make it truly special. The noodles are served in a bowl layered with thinly sliced barbecued pork, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, crispy rice crackers, and croutons for added texture. The smoky tender pork adds a savory depth, and crunchy toppings bring refreshing contrast.
- Best Places to Try: Thanh Cao Lau, Hoi An, and Central Market in Hoi An
- Cost for Two: Around 20,000 – 35,000 VND
Banh Trang Nuong: Grilled Rice Paper
Often referred to as Vietnamese Pizza, Banh Trang Nuong is a popular street food that’s especially loved by younger crowds and travelers looking to try something unique. This dish starts with a large, thin sheet of rice paper that’s placed on a charcoal grill. The vendor then spreads a mixture of beaten egg, green onion, and sometimes minced pork or shrimp onto the rice paper. The combination of smoky grilled rice paper egg and toppings makes it a highly customizable street food in Vietnam.
- Best Places to Try: Da Lat Night Market and Ho Chi Minh City Street Vendors
- Cost for Two: Around 8,000 – 15,000 VND
Vietnam is a feast for all the senses, and trying the street food is one of the most authentic ways to experience its vibrant culture. From the iconic Banh mi to refreshing Che, each dish tells a story of tradition, flavors, and Vietnamese pride. So, pack your bags, book your Vietnam tour package, and get ready to dive into the delicious world of Vietnamese street food that you will remember forever.
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Food in Vietnam FAQs
Is there vegetarian street food in Vietnam?
If you are a vegetarian traveling to Vietnam, then don’t worry. Street food in Vietnam has many options for enjoying the flavors. Xoi, which is sticky rice, is a popular street food that is loved by Vietnamese people and is often served for breakfast. In Saigon, you can find hundreds of stalls selling sticky rice. Banh Mi Chay, which is a Vegetarian baguette sandwich, is another option that you cannot miss. Moreover, learned a bit of Vietnamese words like khong thit (no meat), a chay (vegetarian food), and more to talk to street vendors comfortably.
How much does street food cost in Vietnam?
Street food in Vietnam is economical, from 20,000 VND to 70,000 VND for a basic meal like a bowl of pho or a plate of rice with meat and vegetables.
What are the best places to buy street food in Ho Chi Minh City?
The best places for street food in Ho Chi Minh City are Van Kiep Street, where highly recommended dishes are Grilled Octopus, Banh Canh Cua, and Bun Mam. Other places are Co Giang Street, Phan Van Han Street, Tran Khac Chan Market, and Ben Thanh Market.
Where can you get the best street food in Hanoi?
If you are in Hanoi and want to try street food, then head to Old Quarters. There, you can try delicious Banh Mi and Pho Ga. And In addition to this, Hoan Kiem District is also one of the popular areas where people can try street food in Vietnam.
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