Vietnam, a charming country in Southeast Asia, attracts tourists through its majestic natural landscape, meaningful scenic spots, and long history and culture. Besides, Vietnam’s cuisine is also impressive with diverse dishes from the North to the South. Let’s find out the top 13 Vietnamese dishes you may not want to miss during your journey in Vietnam with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this article, you will know about these dishes below.

Pho (Vietnamese noodles)

Pho is one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes, consisting of rice noodles, beef or chicken, and sweet broth. It is typically served with fresh herbs, lemon, northern pepper, chili, and green onion. You can choose to add these spices depending on your preference. The steaming hot noodle bowl with the aroma of meat, lemon, and fresh vegetables will bring an unforgettable flavor. 

 

Pho Vietnam

Although you can find restaurants and street vendors serving Pho in many regions of Vietnam, this dish is considered the best in Hanoi. Below are some places where you can taste a delicious bowl of Pho in Hanoi. 

Pho Thin (Phở Thìn)

• Address: 13 Lo Duc, Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi 
• Open hours: 6:30 a.m - 8:30 p.m
• Price: About 50,000 VND

Pho Thin

Pho Bat Dan (Phở Bát Đàn)

• Address: 49 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Open hours: 6:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m; 6:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m
• Price: 30,000 – 55,000vnd/bowl

Pho Bat Dan

Pho Ly Quoc Su (Phở Lý Quốc Sư)

• Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Open hours: 6:00 a.m to 2:30 p.m and 5:30 pm to 10:00 p.m
• Price: 60,000 – 85,000vnd/person

Pho Ly Quoc Su

With a delightful taste and impressive presentation, Pho is no doubt among the most appealing Vietnamese dishes for any tourist. Let’s try this food when you travel to Vietnam!

Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette)

Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) is also among the Vietnamese dishes that you should try. Originating from France; however, Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) has become a well-known specialty in Vietnam.

Banh mi Vietnam

Over time, besides cheese, and butter, the fillings inside banh mi are more varied in different regions. Though Banh mi can be easily found at street vendors throughout Vietnam, this food is highly recommended in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Banh mi Hanoi

Traditional Banh mi Hanoi’s fillings include liver pâté, pork floss, Vietnamese pork bologna, spring rolls, pickled carrot, cucumber, and coriander. Walking or driving around the vibrant streets of Hanoi, you can find many stalls selling delicious versions of Banh mi. However, Banh mi in Hanoi Old Quarter seems to be more popular with tourists. 

Banh mi Co Nga Hanoi

Banh mi chao with beefsteak in Hanoi

Banh mi cay Hai Phong - Hai Phong spicy stick-bread

Hai Phong spicy stick bread is totally different from other types of Banh mi Vietnam. The banh mi is extremely thin and small with only pate inside as the filling. Although Banh mi Hai Phong is not as large and has various fillings inside like Banh mi Vietnam in other places, its taste really amazes diners. 

Banh mi cay Hai Phong

Banh mi Hue 

There are many types of Banh mi Vietnam; however, Banh mi Hue is still unique thanks to the fillings combined with pure dry fried chili and broth. No matter what fillings are inside, grilled pork meat, pate, omelet, or sausage, pure dry chili is the indispensable condiment of Hue bread. 

Banh mi bot loc Hue

Banh mi Hoi An

It’s a miss if you travel to Hoi An without trying Banh mi. Banh mi Hoi An is regarded as the best bread in the world. Like other types of Banh mi Vietnam, Banh mi Hoi An also makes a deep impression on tourists by its crispy crust and various fillings inside. 

Banh mi Madam Khanh in Hoi An

Banh mi Saigon

Banh mi Saigon is no doubt among the typical types of Banh mi Vietnam. It is typically filled with a wider variety of ingredients than other regions. In addition to the traditional meat, pate, and pickled vegetables, it may also include sliced sausages, ham, fried eggs, mint, basil, and other herbs which add a refreshing flavor to the bread. 

Banh mi Huynh Hoa Saigon

Wanna know how Banh mi Vietnam is different in different regions? Let’s refer to our blog post here. 

Goi Cuon (Fresh spring rolls)

Goi Cuon, which can be served as a brunch, is also one of the favorite Vietnamese dishes. There are five main ingredients inside the spring rolls, which are rice paper, raw vegetables, noodles, meat, and shrimp. Spring rolls are made by using rice paper to roll all the above ingredients inside.

Goi Cuon

The color of the herbs and peeled shrimp make the food look attractive. Sweet dipping fish sauce is also indispensable when you enjoy the food. The flavor of the fillings inside the rice paper blending with the sauce creates a flavorful taste for the food. 

Goi Cuon 

You can find Goi Cuon in any region of Vietnam. However, it is the most popular in the South, especially in Saigon. Below are some places you can try tasty fresh spring rolls.

Goi cuon tom nhay LLQ

• Address: 424 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11
• Opening time: 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. 
• Price: from VND 7,000

Quan goi cuon Hanh

• Address: 420A Hoa Hao, Ward 5, District 10
• Opening time: 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 6,000 - VND 10,000

Goi cuon Le Van Sy

• Address: 359/1/9A Le Van Sy, District 3
• Opening time: 2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.
• Price: VND 5,000 - VND 10,000

Goi Cuon Le Van Sy

Besides Saigon, you can also find delicious Goi cuon in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. 

Banh Cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls)

Banh Cuon is a simple but delicious breakfast dish in our Top Vietnamese dishes, which has minced meat and wood-ear mushroom. Normally, sauces always have “Cha Que” ( Vietnamese roasted cinnamon pork) which has great flavor. In addition, you can also order more grilled meat to eat with Banh Cuon. Finally, it should be eaten right away, sprinkled with little dried onions, and dipped in sweet-salty dipping sauce to bring the best taste. Traditional Banh Cuon can be found in Hanoi. Below are some places we highly recommend for you to eat Banh Cuon.

Banh cuon Ba Hanh (Bánh cuốn Bà Hanh)

• Address: 26B Tho Xuong street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 6:00 a.m - 10:00 p.m
• Price: 25,000 VND - 40,000 VND

Banh Cuon Thanh Van (Bánh cuốn Thanh Vân)

• Address: 12-14 Hang Ga street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 06:30 a.m - 2:00 p.m | 5:00 p.m - 22:00 p.m
• Price: 15,000 VND - 40,000 VND

Banh cuon Thanh Van

Banh cuon Phuong (Bánh cuốn Phượng)

• Address: 16 Dao Duy Tu street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 6:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m
• Price: 15,000 VND - 40,000 VND

Banh cuon Phuong

Vietnamese steamed rice rolls have unique tastes and processing in different destinations. For example, in Ha Giang, local people don’t use fish sauce to make the dipping sauce. Instead, they use Banh cuon with bone broth stew, onions, and coriander. In the Southwest of Vietnam, Banh Cuon is totally different. The crust is made from rice flour, coconut milk, and natural coloring juices such as pandan leaves, camomile leaves, and beets. The filling includes green beans, coconut, or sweet taro. After rolling, the cake is covered with a layer of roasted sesame for a rich flavor. 

Bun cha Hanoi (Hanoi grilled pork with rice vermicelli)

Bun cha Hanoi is also among the usual favorite Vietnamese dishes. It is very suitable to eat regardless of breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The dish is attractive because the grilled pieces are seasoned deeply, deliciously grilled, and dotted with characteristic sweet and sour sauce. The dish combined with raw vegetables has a perfect taste.

Bun cha Hanoi

Some must-try places where you can taste Bun Cha can be named below.

Bun cha Dac Kim (Bún chả Đắc Kim)

• Address: No. 1 Hang Manh, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
• Open hours: 9:00 a.m - 21:00 a.m
• Price: 50,000 VND - 60,000 VND

Bun cha Dac Kim

Bun cha Hanoi

• Address: Lane 74, Hang Quat Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m
• Price: 20,000 - 40,000 VND

Bun cha Hang Quat

Bun cha Huong Lien (Bún chả Hương Liên)

• Branch 1: 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung district
• Branch 2: Lane 57, Lang Ha Street, Hanoi.
• Open hours: 08:00 a.m - 8:30 p.m
• Price: 40,000 VND - 85,000 VND

Bun cha Hang Than (Bún chả Hàng Than)

• Address: 34 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Open hours: 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m
• Price: 35,000 VND - 55,000 VND

Bun cha Hang Than

Bun dau mam tom (tofu, shrimp sauce, and noodles)

It will be a miss if you don’t try Bun dau mam tom, one of the unique Vietnamese dishes when you travel to Vietnam. Bun dau is a very popular Hanoi street food with a few chopped leaf vermicelli, and a few chopped Vietnamese tofu bars deep-fried in cooking oil until crisp. Then, the dish is eaten with shrimp paste mixed with chili, sugar, and a little kumquat. Those who cannot eat shrimp paste can order fish sauce or lemon seasoning. 

Bun dau mam tom

Below are some famous places to try Bun Dau.

Bun dau mam tom Hang Khay (Bún đậu Hàng Khay)

• Address: No. 29 Lane 29 Hang Khay, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 8:00 a.m - 8:30 p.m
• Price: 39,000 VND - 69,000 VND/ person

Bun dau Hang Khay

Bun dau Trung Huong (Bún đậu Trung Hương):

• Address: 49 Lane Phat Loc, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Open hours: 07:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m
• Price: 20,000 VND - 50,000 VND

Bun dau mam tom Cay Bang (Bún đậu mắm tôm Cây Bàng, Đại La)

• Address: 129 Dai La Street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
• Open hours: 9:00 a.m - 8:30 p.m
• Price: 20,000 VND - 35,000 VND

Cha Ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish)

Cha Ca La Vong is also among the traditional Vietnamese dishes that you should try. Traditional Cha Ca La Vong is made from natural fresh hemibagrus fish, which is soft and sweet. This dish is normally served with vermicelli, roasted peanuts, herbs, and shrimp paste. You can add lemon juice, sugar, and cooking oil to the shrimp paste for full of flavors. If you cannot eat shrimp paste, you can also use the fish sauce instead. 

Cha Ca La Vong

The dish is the most popular in Hanoi. Below are some best places in Hanoi to try Cha Ca La Vong.

Cha Ca La Vong

• Address: 14 Cha Ca, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Opening time: 11.00 a.m. - 02.00 p.m. & 05.00 p.m. - 09.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 350,000

Cha Ca Thang Long

• Address: 19 - 21 - 2D Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Opening time: 10.30 a.m. - 01.30 p.m. & 05.30 p.m. - 08.30 p.m.
• Price: from VND 150,000

Cha ca Thang Long

Vua Cha Ca

• Address: 09 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
• Opening time: 10.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 150,000

Cha ca at Vua Cha Ca Restaurant

Bun bo Hue (Hue noodle soup)

Among the Vietnamese dishes, Bun bo Hue is also a must-try food when you visit Vietnam. The authentic beef noodles in Hue must be different from the remixable beef noodles somewhere in Vietnam. The ingredients include vermicelli, spacy broth as the favor of Hue people with pork pie, and some fresh herbs. It makes delicious and authentic Hue beef noodles.

Bun bo Hue

Let’s find some places to try the best Bun bo in Hue.

Bun bo Hue Ba Tuyet

• Address: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Phu Hoi Ward, Hue City, Hue Province
• Opening time: 06.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 35,000

Bun bo O Phung - chu Vong

• Address: 14 Nguyen Du Street, Phu Cat Ward, Hue
• Opening time: 02.00 p.m. - 08.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 45,000

Bun bo O Phung - chu Vong

Bun bo Hue Ba Gai

• Address: 11A Hanoi, Vinh Ninh, Hue
• Opening time: 09.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 25,000

Bun bo Hue is famous in all regions of Vietnam. Therefore, besides Hue, you can also find Bun bo Hue in Hanoi, Saigon, and Nha Trang. 

Cao Lau Hoi An

Mentioning the best Vietnamese dishes, it will be a miss if you don’t try Cao Lau Hoi An. The cook has to undergo delicate progress from choosing essential ingredients, and herbs to vegetables to make a perfect bowl of Cao Lau with a richer flavor. It's not just simple to choose a good quality of rice as making rice vermicelli. Rice-making Vietnamese vermicelli has to be soaked into the ash to make it crispy but kept flexible and aromatic. Cao lau is pretty delicious when used with barbecued pork, fried pork skin, and special dressing, bringing a unique taste. Don't forget to eat with fresh vegetables and herbs from the famous Tra Que village. All simple ingredients combined make an incredible dish. 

Cao Lau Hoi An

Cao Lau Hoi An is undoubtedly easily found in Hoi An. Here are some recommended places to try Cao Lau in Hoi An.

Trung Bac Restaurant

• Address: 87 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Opening time: 08.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 50,000

Cao Lau Hoi An at Trung Bac Restaurant

Cao Lau Ba Le

• Address: 49/3 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Opening time: 11.00 a.m. - 09.30 p.m.
• Price: from VND 25,000

Cao Lau Ba Le

Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice)

Com Ga Hoi An is also one of the Vietnamese dishes you may want to try. There are lots of chicken rice caters in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; however, tasting chicken rice in Hoi An is the best experience to enjoy its full flavor. Each tasty dish requires a meticulous series of cooking progresses. Boiled chicken is torn into smaller pieces, and seasoned with mixed spices such as pepper, salt, chili, and Vietnamese coriander. Under the pieces of chicken and mixed spices, the rice with chicken fat colored is displayed on the plate, making the dish look so stunning and colorful. 

Com ga Hoi An

Traveling throughout Hoi An, you can find many restaurants and street food vendors selling chicken rice. Below are some best places to try Com ga in Hoi An.

Com ga Ba Ty

• Address: 27 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Opening time: 11.00 a.m. - 09.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 30,000

Com ga Ba Buoi

• Address: 22 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Opening time: 10.30 a.m. - 02.00 p.m. & 05.00 p.m. - 08.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 35,000

Com ga Ba Buoi

Com ga Xi Hoi An

• Address: 47/2 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
• Opening time: 12.30 p.m. - 08.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 20,000

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese-style pancake)

Hoi An is not only well-known for Cao Lau and Com Ga but also for Banh Xeo as well. This food is also among the must-try Vietnamese dishes. When visiting Hoi An, you will have a chance to taste the most excellent Banh Xèo (Rice pancake). Throughout Vietnam, there are many styles of Banh xeo; however, Hoi An's version is one of the best. The Banh Xeo here is smaller and filled with many fresh ingredients such as shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.

Banh Xeo

As tasting the pancake, you can feel the crispiness of its cover and the richer flavor inside. You are wrapping each pancake with young mustards and herbs in rice paper, dipping it into a savory sauce before serving. It seems to have the orchestra of its ingredients in your mouth. So Banh xeo in Hoi An is considered one of the specialties that you should not miss when visiting this ancient town. Let’s find some places where you can try delicious Banh Xeo in Hoi An.

Banh Xeo Hai Dao Hoi An

• Address: 160 Ly Thai To Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An
• Opening time: 07.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 20,000

Banh Xeo Hai Dao Hoi An

Banh Xeo Hai Nam Hoi An

• Address: 409 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Son Ward, Hoi An
• Opening time: 03.00 p.m. - 09.00 p.m.
• Price: from VND 25,000

Com Tam Saigon (Saigon broken rice)

Com Tam Saigon (Saigon broken rice) is undoubtedly among the Vietnamese dishes you should try when you travel to Vietnam. Broken rice can be found in large cities in Vietnam like Hanoi, Nha Trang, Hue, and Da Nang. However, it is the most popular in Saigon, which is also the place of origin of this dish. It can be served as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Com Tam Saigon

The rice to make Saigon broken rice is a tiny grain different from regular rice in Vietnam. This type of rice makes Saigon broken rice more fragrant. A full plate of Saigon broken rice includes many toppings. Besides tiny rice, there are grilled pork, omelet, pork skin strips, and fish pie inside. Saigon broken rice is more delicious with carrot pickles, cucumber slices, and sweet fish sauce. 

There are many restaurants serving Saigon broken rice that you can find along Saigon streets. Below is the list of some addresses you can refer to for a tasty meal.

Com Tam Ba Ghien

• Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Price: around VND 40,000/ plate
• Opening time: 7.30 a.m. - 9.30 p.m.

Com Tam Ba Ghien

Com Tam Ba Ghien is a small but crowded local restaurant. Coming to the restaurant, you can smell the delicious taste of marinated pork chop and enjoy a tasty dish of Saigon broken rice. 

Com Tam Kieu Giang

• Address: 192E Tran Quang Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Price: from VND 50,000
• Opening time: 07.00 a.m. - 09.00 p.m.

Com Tam Kieu Giang

Com Tam Kieu Giang is also a restaurant where you can choose to enjoy Saigon broken rice. The ribs are deliciously marinated, and large grilled ribs are cut into small pieces, creating an attractive dish.

Let’s visit Saigon and try Com Tam Saigon, one of the tasty Vietnamese dishes!

Hu Tieu

Hu Tieu is also on the list of impressive Vietnamese dishes. A typical bowl of hu tieu includes dried noodles, char siu meat, and some types of herbs such as oregano, coriander, and lettuce. It is also served with soup and the sparkling puller. Hu Tieu’s sweet broth is cooked from the pig’s bone with some dried squid and dried prawns. Besides, there are various other types of dried noodles such as bone noodles, beef stock, squid, satay noodles, etc. 

Hu Tieu 

Hu Tieu is the most popular in Saigon. Let’s find some of the restaurants highly recommended by tourists below.

Hu tieu muc Ong Gia Cali

• Address: Phan Xich Long, Ward 7, Phu Nhuan District
• Opening time: 8.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
• Price: VND 35,000 - VND 55,000

Hu tieu muc Ong Gia Cali

Hu tieu Nam Vang Quynh

• Address: A65 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
• Opening time: 5.30 a.m. - 9.30 p.m.
• Price: VND 60,000 - VND 80,000

In conclusion, Vietnamese dishes are really worth trying when you travel to Vietnam. Hope that these pieces of information will be helpful for your trip. Let’s enjoy the vibrant flavors and textures of Vietnamese cuisine while exploring the country!