What Food Should I Try in Vietnam? 25 Must-Try Vietnamese Foods

Vietnam is one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia for food lovers. From steaming bowls of pho and crispy banh mi to fresh spring rolls, sizzling banh xeo, regional noodles, seafood, Vietnamese coffee, and colorful desserts, every part of the country has something different to taste.

If you are wondering what food you should try in Vietnam, start with the classics, then explore regional specialties as you travel from Hanoi to Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta.

This guide covers 25 must-try Vietnamese foods, including what they taste like, where they are popular, and what to order.

25 Must-Try Foods in Vietnam

1. Pho

Pho is probably the most internationally recognized Vietnamese dish and one of the first foods you should try in Vietnam.

This comforting noodle soup is made with flat rice noodles, a fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and meat. The two most common versions are pho bo, made with beef, and pho ga, made with chicken.

The broth is usually aromatic rather than overwhelmingly spicy, with flavors that can include ginger, onion, spices, herbs, and fish sauce.

• Best places to try: Hanoi and northern Vietnam

• Best for: First-time visitors

• What to order: Pho bo or pho ga

For many travelers, a simple bowl of pho eaten at a local restaurant in the morning is one of the essential Vietnam food experiences.

Read more: Phở

2. Banh Mi

Banh mi is Vietnam's famous street sandwich and one of the easiest foods for travelers to try.

A crispy baguette is filled with ingredients such as grilled pork, pate, Vietnamese sausage, pickled vegetables, cucumber, fresh herbs, and chili sauce. Different vendors have their own combinations, so no two banh mi are necessarily the same.

It is inexpensive, portable, filling, and available throughout the country.

• Best places to try: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi

• Best for: Breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack

• What to order: Banh mi thit

Try it from a busy local stall where the sandwiches are made fresh throughout the day.

Read more: Bánh Mì

3. Bun Cha

Bun cha is one of the signature foods of Hanoi.

The dish combines grilled pork patties and slices of pork with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a sweet-and-savory dipping sauce. The smoky flavor of the grilled pork works especially well with the fresh herbs and noodles.

Unlike pho, the noodles and grilled meat are generally served separately rather than together in one bowl.

• Best place to try: Hanoi

• Best for: Lunch

• What to order: Bun cha with plenty of fresh herbs

Bun cha is an excellent choice if you want to experience a traditional northern Vietnamese meal.

Read more: Bún Chả

4. Bun Bo Hue

Bun bo Hue is a rich and aromatic noodle soup associated with Hue in Central Vietnam.

It typically contains round rice noodles and beef or pork, served in a deeply flavored broth with herbs and condiments. Compared with pho, the broth is generally more robust and can have a noticeable spicy and savory character.

If you enjoy flavorful soups with a little heat, bun bo Hue should be high on your Vietnam food list.

• Best place to try: Hue

• Best for: Lunch or dinner

• Flavor: Rich, savory, aromatic, and sometimes spicy

Read more: Bún Bò Huế

5. Banh Xeo

Banh xeo is a crispy Vietnamese savory pancake.

The thin, golden shell is made from rice flour and commonly filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. You usually break off pieces of the pancake, wrap them with lettuce and herbs, and dip them into a Vietnamese dipping sauce.

The contrast between the crispy pancake and fresh herbs makes banh xeo particularly enjoyable.

• Best places to try: Central and southern Vietnam

• Best for: Sharing

• What to order: Banh xeo with herbs and dipping sauce

Read more: Bánh Xèo

6. Com Tam

Com tam, or broken rice, is one of the classic dishes of southern Vietnam.

A typical plate includes grilled pork, broken rice, pickled vegetables, cucumber, herbs, and a sweet-savory fish sauce. Some versions also come with a fried egg or other grilled meats.

It is particularly associated with Ho Chi Minh City and makes an excellent everyday Vietnamese meal.

• Best place to try: Ho Chi Minh City

• Best for: Lunch or dinner

• What to order: Com tam suon

Read more: Cơm Tấm

7. Hu Tieu

Hu tieu is a popular noodle dish from southern Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta.

The noodles can be served in a flavorful broth or dry with the ingredients arranged on top. Depending on the restaurant, a bowl may include pork, shrimp, seafood, herbs, vegetables, and other toppings.

There are several regional variations, so trying hu tieu in southern Vietnam can give you a different experience from noodle dishes in Hanoi or Hue.

• Best places to try: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta

• Flavor: Savory, light, and aromatic

Read more: Hủ Tiếu Gõ

8. Cao Lau

Cao lau is one of the foods most closely associated with Hoi An.

The dish combines thick noodles with slices of pork, fresh herbs, vegetables, and crispy toppings. Its unique texture and combination of ingredients make it different from the more familiar Vietnamese noodle soups.

If you are visiting Hoi An, trying cao lau is one of the easiest ways to experience the city's local culinary identity.

• Best place to try: Hoi An

• Best for: Lunch

• Tip: Look for a traditional local restaurant rather than only tourist-oriented restaurants.

Read more: Cao Lầu

9. Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a signature noodle dish from Quang Nam and Central Vietnam.

It typically combines wide rice noodles with a small amount of strongly flavored broth, meat or seafood, fresh herbs, peanuts, and crispy rice crackers.

Unlike pho, the noodles are not submerged in a large quantity of broth. The result is a dish with contrasting textures and bold flavors.

• Best places to try: Da Nang, Hoi An, Quang Nam

• Best for: Travelers exploring Central Vietnam

Read more: Mì Quảng

10. Banh Cuon

Banh cuon consists of delicate steamed rice rolls filled with seasoned ingredients, often minced pork and wood ear mushrooms.

The rolls are usually served with Vietnamese fish sauce, herbs, fried shallots, and sometimes Vietnamese pork sausage.

Because the rice sheets are thin and soft, banh cuon has a very different texture from crispy dishes such as banh xeo.

• Best places to try: Hanoi and northern Vietnam

• Best for: Breakfast

Read more: Bánh Cuốn

11. Goi Cuon

Goi cuon, commonly called Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, is a lighter option for travelers.

Rice paper is wrapped around ingredients such as shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli, lettuce, and fresh herbs. The rolls are usually served with a dipping sauce.

They are fresh, relatively light, and easy to share, making them a good introduction to Vietnamese flavors.

• Best for: Light meals and snacks

• Common ingredients: Shrimp, pork, noodles, herbs, vegetables

Read more: Gỏi Cuốn

12. Cha Gio

Cha gio is Vietnam's crispy fried spring roll.

The rolls are filled with ingredients such as minced pork, vegetables, mushrooms, and noodles before being fried until golden and crunchy.

They are commonly served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and dipping sauce.

Best for: Sharing or as part of a Vietnamese meal
Flavor: Crispy, savory, and aromatic

13. Cha Ca

Cha ca is a famous Hanoi specialty featuring grilled or pan-fried fish served with herbs and noodles.

One of the best-known versions is prepared with turmeric-seasoned fish and aromatic herbs. Diners can combine the fish with rice noodles, peanuts, herbs, and sauce.

It is a particularly interesting choice for travelers who want to explore Vietnamese food beyond pho and banh mi.

• Best place to try: Hanoi

• Best for: Lunch or dinner

Read more: Chả Cá Lã Vọng

14. Com Ga Hoi An

Hoi An chicken rice is a popular local specialty featuring shredded chicken, fragrant rice, herbs, and vegetables.

The rice is typically prepared with chicken stock and has a distinctive yellow color. It is usually served with shredded chicken, onions, herbs, and a flavorful sauce.

For visitors staying in Hoi An, this is another regional dish worth adding to your food itinerary.

• Best place to try: Hoi An

• Best for: Lunch or dinner

Read more: Com Ga

15. Bun Thit Nuong

Bun thit nuong combines rice vermicelli with grilled pork, fresh herbs, vegetables, peanuts, and a savory-sweet dressing.

It is especially popular in southern Vietnam and is often served as a fresh, balanced meal rather than a soup.

The smoky grilled pork contrasts nicely with crunchy vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Best places to try: Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam

Read more: Bun Thit Nuong

16. Nem Nuong

Nem nuong is Vietnamese grilled pork sausage or grilled pork made from seasoned ground pork.

It is often served with rice paper, herbs, vegetables, noodles, and dipping sauce so diners can make their own rolls.

Nha Trang is particularly well known for nem nuong, making it a useful dish to look for when exploring Vietnam's south-central coast.

Best place to try: Nha Trang
Best for: Sharing

17. Banh Beo

Banh beo consists of small steamed rice cakes topped with ingredients such as dried shrimp, scallions, crispy shallots, and savory sauce.

It is strongly associated with Central Vietnam, particularly Hue.

The small portions make banh beo ideal for sampling alongside other local dishes.

• Best place to try: Hue

• Best for: Snacking and sharing

Read more: Bánh Bèo

18. Banh Canh

Banh canh is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with thick, chewy noodles.

Depending on the region and restaurant, the noodles may be made from tapioca, rice flour, or a combination of both. Toppings can include pork, shrimp, crab, fish, or other seafood.

It is less internationally famous than pho but is well worth trying if you want to explore a wider range of Vietnamese noodle dishes.

Read more: Bánh Canh

19. Vietnamese Seafood

With a long coastline and abundant rivers and waterways, Vietnam offers an enormous variety of seafood.

Depending on the destination, you may find grilled squid, prawns, clams, crab, oysters, shellfish, fish, and many types of local seafood.

Coastal destinations such as Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and other seaside towns are especially good places to explore local seafood.

Best for: Seafood lovers
Tip: Ask about the daily catch and the price before ordering by weight.

20. Vietnamese Snails and Shellfish

Ốc, or Vietnamese snail and shellfish dishes, are a major part of the street food culture in southern Vietnam.

Restaurants specializing in ốc may offer snails, clams, scallops, oysters, and other shellfish prepared with different sauces and seasonings.

Popular preparations can include grilled, steamed, stir-fried, or cooked with garlic, chili, butter, or other sauces.

Best place to explore: Ho Chi Minh City
Best for: Evening street food

21. Che

Che is a broad category of Vietnamese sweet desserts and drinks.

Different versions may contain beans, sticky rice, coconut milk, jelly, fruit, lotus seeds, taro, corn, or other ingredients.

Some varieties are served warm, while others are chilled with ice, making che especially refreshing in Vietnam's hot and humid weather.

If you enjoy Asian desserts, try several varieties rather than choosing only one.

22. Vietnamese Egg Coffee

Egg coffee, or ca phe trung, is one of Hanoi's most distinctive coffee creations.

Strong Vietnamese coffee is topped with a rich, creamy mixture made with egg and other ingredients. The result resembles a dessert-like coffee with a thick texture and intense coffee flavor.

It is particularly popular with travelers visiting Hanoi.

• Best place to try: Hanoi

• Best for: Breakfast or an afternoon coffee

Read more: Egg Coffee

23. Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Vietnamese iced coffee, commonly known as ca phe sua da when made with condensed milk, is one of the country's essential drinks.

Strong coffee is brewed and combined with sweetened condensed milk before being poured over ice.

The combination is bold, sweet, creamy, and highly refreshing in Vietnam's tropical climate.

Best place to try: Anywhere in Vietnam
Best for: Hot afternoons

24. Coconut Coffee

Coconut coffee combines strong Vietnamese coffee with coconut milk or coconut cream and often ice.

It is creamy, refreshing, and slightly sweet, making it an excellent alternative if traditional Vietnamese iced coffee is too strong for you.

Coconut coffee has become especially popular in modern Vietnamese cafes and is widely available in major tourist destinations.

Read more: Coconut Coffee

25. Vietnamese Fruit and Tropical Desserts

Vietnam's tropical climate provides an impressive variety of fruits and fruit-based desserts.

Depending on the season, you may encounter mango, dragon fruit, watermelon, passion fruit, jackfruit, rambutan, mangosteen, longan, and many other fruits.

Fruit can be enjoyed fresh, blended into smoothies, served with yogurt, or incorporated into Vietnamese desserts.

For travelers visiting during the hot season, a fresh fruit smoothie is an easy and refreshing local treat.

Final Thoughts: Eat Your Way Through Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is much more than pho and banh mi. Every region has its own ingredients, cooking techniques, specialties, and food traditions.

For a first trip, start with the classics, then go beyond them. Eat grilled pork in Hanoi, spicy noodles in Hue, cao lau in Hoi An, broken rice in Ho Chi Minh City, and fresh seafood along the coast.

The best Vietnamese food experiences often happen in simple local restaurants, markets, and street stalls rather than expensive dining rooms.

So if you are still asking what food should I try in Vietnam, the answer is simple: start with the dishes that define Vietnamese cuisine, but leave room in your itinerary for the regional foods you discover along the way.