Vietnamese food is the reason a lot of people book the trip in the first place — fresh, fragrant, herb-driven and ridiculously good value.
The essentials
Pho
The noodle soup needs no introduction — beef pho (pho bo) in Hanoi, chicken pho (pho ga) anywhere. Northern pho is clear and pure; southern pho is sweeter with more herbs. Try both and join the eternal debate.
Banh mi
The baguette sandwich that outgrew its colonial roots — pâté, pork, pickled veg, coriander and chilli in a crackling roll. A dollar (or less) of pure joy.
Bun cha
Hanoi's lunchtime icon: grilled pork patties in a sweet-savoury broth with cold rice noodles and herbs. Obama famously ate it — which tells you it's both brilliant and cheap.
Regional heroes
Cao lau (Hoi An)
Thick noodles with pork, crackling and herbs, made with water from a specific local well (or so the legend goes). You'll only find it in Hoi An — eat it there.
Mi quang (central Vietnam)
Turmeric-tinted noodles in a shallow, intense broth, topped with shrimp, pork and peanut. Central Vietnam's most underrated dish.
Banh xeo
The crispy turmeric crepe, stuffed with shrimp and bean sprouts, wrapped in herbs and dipped. The southern version is the size of a dinner plate.
What to drink
- Egg coffee — Hanoi's custardy, tiramisu-like specialty. Sounds wrong, tastes perfect.
- Ca phe sua da — iced coffee with condensed milk, the default order on a hot day.
- Fresh fruit shakes — mango, dragonfruit, avocado. £1 and perfectly refreshing.
How to eat like a local
- Eat where it's busy — turnover means freshness.
- Graze small and often — the whole culture is built on snacking.
- Don't fear the street stall — some of the best meals in the country come on plastic stools.
- Learn a few words — "xin chao" (hello) and "cam on" (thank you) open every door.
Quick questions, answered
Is Vietnamese street food safe?
At busy, high-turnover stalls, yes. Eat where locals queue and order things cooked fresh to order — and stick to bottled water.
What if I don't like spicy food?
Vietnamese food is more fresh and herb-driven than spicy, so it's naturally mild. Just go easy on the fresh chilli garnish.
What's the best food city?
Hanoi for the classics (pho, bun cha), Hoi An for its own specialities, and Saigon for variety and southern-style dishes. We build food into every trip — call 020 7946 0958 for food-first advice.
