Where some countries may be known for innovative new dishes and modern culinary skills, Vietnam is best known for its old recipes, from warming noodle soup to French-Vietnamese bánh mì baguettes. Here are 10 of the best traditional Vietnamese dishes that make it pleasantly obvious why they have stood the test of time. We'll be sure to introduce you to most of these delicious dishes on our Vietnam sightseeing tours. If you'd like to have your trip tailor-made to your liking, visit our Customized Vietnam Trip Planner page. Alternatively, join one of our pre-arranged sightseeing tours to Vietnam.
Pho
This national soup is made with flat rice noodles, warm broth and usually chicken or beef. The flavor of this delicious noodle soup can vary greatly from one part of the country to another and many places will bring sauces, herbs and spices to your table so you can flavour your Pho soup to suit you.
Pho
This national soup is made with flat rice noodles, warm broth and usually chicken or beef. The flavor of this delicious noodle soup can vary greatly from one part of the country to another and many places will bring sauces, herbs and spices to your table so you can flavour your Pho soup to suit you.
Bun cha
This dish is usually a mixture of pork, fresh noodles and fish sauce and a handful of chopped papaya, carrots and herbs. Customers often partially cook the dish themselves by dipping fresh noodles into a bowl of simmering broth. If you're having trouble finding bun cha, you may also occasionally find it advertised under the name "Obama noodles" because the peacock he visited Vietnam in 2016 about ate this dish.
This dish is usually a mixture of pork, fresh noodles and fish sauce and a handful of chopped papaya, carrots and herbs. Customers often partially cook the dish themselves by dipping fresh noodles into a bowl of simmering broth. If you're having trouble finding bun cha, you may also occasionally find it advertised under the name "Obama noodles" because the peacock he visited Vietnam in 2016 about ate this dish.
Bánh mì
Influenced by French colonialism in Indochina, bánh mì is an excellent example of French-Vietnamese food, filled with flavors, ingredients and tastes from two countries. Filled with a selection of meats (or eggs, for vegetarians), fresh vegetables and sweet sauces, the crispy baguettes are found in street stalls, restaurants, and even in the most remote areas.
Influenced by French colonialism in Indochina, bánh mì is an excellent example of French-Vietnamese food, filled with flavors, ingredients and tastes from two countries. Filled with a selection of meats (or eggs, for vegetarians), fresh vegetables and sweet sauces, the crispy baguettes are found in street stalls, restaurants, and even in the most remote areas.
Bánh cuốn
These little rolls of heaven are filled with spicy pork and finely chopped mushrooms, wrapped in a steamed fermented rice batter and dipped in fish sauce. The appeal of this dish isn't just the great taste, but also the interesting way it's made. Customers can often watch as their host prepares the dish right in front of their eyes.
These little rolls of heaven are filled with spicy pork and finely chopped mushrooms, wrapped in a steamed fermented rice batter and dipped in fish sauce. The appeal of this dish isn't just the great taste, but also the interesting way it's made. Customers can often watch as their host prepares the dish right in front of their eyes.
Gỏi cuốn
With much of the local Vietnamese cuisine being fried, grilled and boiled, you may find yourself craving something fresher and lighter at times. Look no further than gỏi cuốn, also known as "summer rolls". These fresh spring rolls are usually packed with crispy lettuce, shrimp and pork and served with a sweet and spicy sauce and peanuts.
With much of the local Vietnamese cuisine being fried, grilled and boiled, you may find yourself craving something fresher and lighter at times. Look no further than gỏi cuốn, also known as "summer rolls". These fresh spring rolls are usually packed with crispy lettuce, shrimp and pork and served with a sweet and spicy sauce and peanuts.
Chè
Chè has a large number of ingredients, both savory and sweet, but can best be described as a "sweet dessert soup". Variations of the dish include everything from beans, and kidney beans, to jelly, lemongrass, fruit, tapioca to coconut cream. You can find chè any time of year, but it's most likely and best enjoyed with a scoop of crushed ice on a hot day.
Hu tieu
This is one of the less obvious (in origin) dishes in Vietnam, where a number of different recipes appear throughout the country. (In fact, there are versions of this dish in Cambodia and China as well.) In its simplest form, hu tieu can be described as "pork soup." From the type of noodles to the choice of meat, hu tieu can vary from place to place. All we know is that it's a wonderful fortification for any trip.
Chè has a large number of ingredients, both savory and sweet, but can best be described as a "sweet dessert soup". Variations of the dish include everything from beans, and kidney beans, to jelly, lemongrass, fruit, tapioca to coconut cream. You can find chè any time of year, but it's most likely and best enjoyed with a scoop of crushed ice on a hot day.
Hu tieu
This is one of the less obvious (in origin) dishes in Vietnam, where a number of different recipes appear throughout the country. (In fact, there are versions of this dish in Cambodia and China as well.) In its simplest form, hu tieu can be described as "pork soup." From the type of noodles to the choice of meat, hu tieu can vary from place to place. All we know is that it's a wonderful fortification for any trip.
Bánh xèo
For those who would rather taste a spicy pancake than a sweet one, Bánh xèo is a tasty pork prawn filling, flavoured with turmeric and packed with bean sprouts. Bánh xèo is definitely one of the most popular dishes with tourists and locals alike.
For those who would rather taste a spicy pancake than a sweet one, Bánh xèo is a tasty pork prawn filling, flavoured with turmeric and packed with bean sprouts. Bánh xèo is definitely one of the most popular dishes with tourists and locals alike.
Mi vit tiem
This roast duck dish with chunky egg noodles may be less famous than other Vietnamese noodle soups - but no less tasty. Mi vit tiem is clearly influenced by Chinese cuisine, but still infused with classic Vietnamese spices and flavor.
This roast duck dish with chunky egg noodles may be less famous than other Vietnamese noodle soups - but no less tasty. Mi vit tiem is clearly influenced by Chinese cuisine, but still infused with classic Vietnamese spices and flavor.
Bia hơi
Although not technically a dish, Bia hơi definitely deserves a spot on this must-try list. It is a type of draft beer that is usually found poured directly from a large keg into glasses specifically designed for Bia hơi. The beer itself is rather weak and bubbly. No less not to forget the atmosphere and culture which is unforgettable when drinking this local beer. Head downtown in the evening and you'll likely find the sidewalk crowded with people on tiny plastic stools sipping and enjoying a moment of leisure with a glass of Bia hơi.
Although not technically a dish, Bia hơi definitely deserves a spot on this must-try list. It is a type of draft beer that is usually found poured directly from a large keg into glasses specifically designed for Bia hơi. The beer itself is rather weak and bubbly. No less not to forget the atmosphere and culture which is unforgettable when drinking this local beer. Head downtown in the evening and you'll likely find the sidewalk crowded with people on tiny plastic stools sipping and enjoying a moment of leisure with a glass of Bia hơi.
Food in Vietnam
To travel to Vietnam, you will need a visa. Details here.
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