How to Plan a Foodie Holiday in Vietnam

Vietnam’s food scene varies wildly from north to south, so it’s worth considering what you’d love to eat and where to find it.

Hanoi (North):

The birthplace of phở (noodle soup) and home to bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), egg coffee, and crispy bánh cuốn (rice noodle roll). Expect lighter flavours, lots of herbs, and lots of grilled meats.

Vegetarian/Vegan friendly:

Try phở chay (vegetarian phở) and xôi xéo (sticky rice with mung beans and fried shallots).

Hue and Hoi An (Central):

Characterized by spicier cuisine and intricate presentations, you’ll find specialities such as bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) and cao lầu (pork noodles).​

Vegetarian/Vegan friendly:

Hoi An is a great place for mì Quảng chay (turmeric rice noodles with tofu and peanuts) and bánh khoái chay (a vegetarian version of the crispy Hue pancake)

Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta (South):

Featuring sweeter and more vibrant dishes like bánh xèo (savoury pancakes) and hủ tiếu (noodle soup).​

Vegetarian/Vegan friendly:

Look for cơm tấm chay (vegetarian broken rice with grilled tofu) and gỏi cuốn chay (fresh vegan spring rolls)

Think about what you’re craving and plan your route around it. Love seafood? Head to the coast. After rich, hearty dishes? The north is your spot. Prefer fresh herbs and spices? Central Vietnam’s got you covered. Or, if you want a bit of everything, combine all three!

Sure, you can just turn up and eat your way around (a solid plan, to be fair), but there are plenty of ways to dive deeper into Vietnam’s incredible food culture:

1. Take a Street Food Tour

Street food is the heart and soul of Vietnamese cuisine, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Joining a local guide is a great way to try hidden gems and get insider knowledge. Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s backstreets are packed with incredible options, and many tours cater to vegetarian and vegan travellers.

2. Join a Cooking Class

Learning to cook Vietnamese food is not only fun but also means you can bring a taste of Vietnam home with you. Markets are often included in cooking classes, so you’ll get to pick fresh ingredients before whipping up classics like fresh spring rolls and clay pot tofu. Hoi An is a fantastic place for this, and you can easily combine it with exploring the town’s lantern-lit streets.

3. Visit Local Markets

If you love food, you’ll love Vietnam’s markets. From Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, they’re a feast for the senses. Be sure to grab a bag of tropical fruit—rambutan, dragon fruit, and mangosteen are must-tries!

4. Stay Somewhere That Celebrates Local Food

Choosing hotels and guesthouses that focus on local cuisine means you’ll be treated to home-cooked meals and get a real taste of Vietnamese hospitality. If you’re heading north, a homestay in Mai Hitch is a great way to combine incredible rural landscapes and cultural experiences with the Thai ethnic minority, along with delicious, home-grown meals.

Vietnam is one of the most veggie-friendly countries in Southeast Asia, but it helps to know what to look for.

1. Buddhist Temples & ‘Quán Chay’ Restaurants

Many Vietnamese follow Buddhist traditions, which means there are plenty of quán chay (vegetarian restaurants) serving delicious plant-based meals. Temples often have simple, tasty vegetarian dishes as well.

2. How to Order Vegan Food in Vietnam

If you want to ensure your meal is fully vegan, you can say:

• Tôi ăn chay – “I eat vegetarian” (this often means no meat or fish but can include eggs and dairy).
• Không trứng, không sữa – “No eggs, no milk” (use this if you’re vegan).

3. Dishes to Try

• Phở chay – A vegetarian version of the famous noodle soup, usually made with mushrooms and tofu.
• Bánh mì chay – A veggie version of the famous sandwich, often filled with mushrooms or tofu.
• Bánh xèo chay – Crispy Vietnamese pancakes with veggies and tofu.
• Gỏi cuốn chay – Fresh spring rolls packed with herbs, noodles, and tofu.

If you’re veggie/vegan, the Happy Cow app is your ultimate foodie sidekick—think of it as your personal compass to the best plant-based bites in town. And in Vietnam, especially in the cities, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a mouthwatering mix of vegan-friendly street food, temple eats, and creative plant-based twists on local classics.

For a great mix of culture and veggie-friendly food, a stay in Hoi An is a perfect option—it’s known for some of the best vegetarian food in the country.

The best food experiences in Vietnam aren’t found in fancy restaurants but in the places where locals eat. A few things to keep in mind:

Plastic stools are a good sign – If a place is full of locals on tiny stools, you’re onto a winner.
Try dishes in their home regions – Phở in Hanoi, cao lầu in Hoi An, bún bò Huế in Hue… eating regional specialities where they were created is always worth it.
Don’t be afraid to point and smile – If there’s no menu, just point at what looks good and go for it!

If you’re looking for a trip that balances food with other experiences, Vietnam is packed with options. You could:

Combine culture with cuisine – Explore Hue and learn about imperial history while sampling royal-inspired dishes.
Head into nature and eat like a local – Stay in the Mekong Delta and cook with a local family after a boat trip through the floating markets.
Mix street food with stunning scenery – A trip to Halong Bay often includes fresh seafood straight from the water.

Vietnam is one of the best places in the world to travel for food, and the best experiences often come from being open to trying new things. If you’re ready to plan a trip that’s as much about eating as it is about exploring, we’ve got plenty of bite-sized trips to help you craft your perfect foodie itinerary.

Happy eating—chúc ngon miệng!