The best Vietnamese food for Indian travellers covers 20 famous dishes across 4 groups: Northern classics from Hanoi such as pho and bun cha, bold Central specialties from Hue and Hoi An, sweeter Southern plates from Saigon such as banh mi and com tam, and the country’s 2 famous coffees. Each dish in this guide has a short description, 2–3 tested addresses, its price in VND and rupees, and a note on which versions suit vegetarian, no-beef or no-pork diets.
The 3 regions taste distinctly different. Northern food is the most subtle, with balanced flavours and fresh herbs rather than heat; Central food is the boldest and spiciest, a legacy of the imperial city of Hue; and Southern food is the sweetest, drawing on coconut and tropical produce. Vietnamese cuisine balances 4 core tastes, salty, sweet, sour and spicy, and most street portions cost about 20,000–200,000 VND (₹75–₹735), which keeps daily food spending low.
The famous food in Vietnam, and the Vietnam special food of each region, at a glance:
| Region | Vietnamese special food | Vegetarian (“chay”) version |
|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi) | Pho, bun cha, xoi xeo, cha ca, bun rieu, banana flower salad, banh cuon | Pho chay, xoi xeo, banh cuon chay, salad chay |
| Centre (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Da Lat) | Bun bo Hue, mi Quang, pork rice paper rolls, cao lau, Da Lat vegetable hotpot | Vegetable hotpot |
| South (Saigon, Vung Tau) | Banh xeo, banh mi, hu tieu, spring rolls, banh khot, com tam | Banh xeo chay, banh mi chay, nem chay |
| Coffee | Egg coffee, iced milk coffee | Iced milk coffee; egg coffee for eggetarians |
Prices are typical 2026 street and restaurant prices, converted at ₹1 ≈ 273 VND; restaurants in tourist areas charge more.
Northern Vietnamese Food
Northern Vietnamese food is defined by balanced, subtle flavours and fresh herbs rather than heavy spice, with Hanoi as its culinary heart. These 7 dishes are the region’s best-known noodles, sticky rice, grilled fish and street snacks, and Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the easiest place to try most of them in a single walk.
1. Bun Cha – Hanoi-Style Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles
Bun cha is Hanoi’s signature lunch of charcoal-grilled pork patties and pork belly served with rice noodles, fresh herbs and a sweet-and-sour fish sauce dip, for about 35,000–70,000 VND (₹130–₹255) at a street stall.
The pork is marinated in fish sauce, pepper and shallots, grilled over charcoal and dropped into a warm dipping sauce of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar and chilli, often with shredded papaya and carrot.
Indian traveller note: Built around pork, no beef, so it does not suit no-pork or vegetarian diets.
Where to try:
- Bun Cha Huong Lien (“Obama Bun Cha”): 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hanoi
- Bun Cha Dac Kim: 1 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Lunchtime is when bun cha is freshest, as most stalls grill from about 11:00 AM and sell out by mid-afternoon.
2. Xoi Xeo – Hanoi Sticky Rice with Mung Bean
Xoi xeo is a Hanoi breakfast of turmeric-yellow sticky rice topped with mung bean paste and crispy fried shallots, for about 20,000–40,000 VND (₹75–₹145) at a street stall, and the plain version is vegetarian.
The rice is soaked with turmeric for its colour and served warm, traditionally wrapped in a lotus or banana leaf, so each bite mixes soft rice, rich bean paste and crunchy shallots.
Indian traveller note: Vegetarian-friendly in its basic form; confirm that no pork floss or fried shallots cooked in lard are added.
Where to try:
- Xoi Yen: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Xoi Xeo Mut: 6A Hoang Sa Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Xoi xeo is a morning food, sold mostly from about 6:00 to 10:00 AM.
3. Cha Ca La Vong – Hanoi Turmeric Grilled Fish
Cha ca La Vong is a Hanoi dish of turmeric-marinated fish cooked at the table with dill and spring onion, served with rice noodles, herbs and peanuts, for about 120,000–250,000 VND (₹440–₹915) at a restaurant.
Firm white fish is filleted, marinated in turmeric and galangal, grilled, then finished in a sizzling pan at the table, where it is eaten straight away while the oil is hot.
Indian traveller note: Fish-based, no beef or pork; suits pescatarians, not vegetarians.
Where to try:
- Cha Ca La Vong: 14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Cha Ca Thang Long: 21 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
The dish is served as a set for the table, so it is best shared by 2 or more people.
4. Bun Rieu Cua – Vietnamese Crab Noodle Soup
Bun rieu cua is a tangy crab noodle soup made with crab paste, tomatoes and tamarind, served with fresh herbs, for about 30,000–60,000 VND (₹110–₹220) at a street stall.
The broth is cooked with crab paste, tomatoes, vinegar, fish sauce and scallions, often with a little shrimp paste, which gives it the light, sour taste that makes it popular in summer.
Indian traveller note: Shellfish-based with shrimp paste, no beef; the bowl may include fried tofu or pork, so confirm the toppings.
Where to try:
- Bun Rieu Cua Ganh: 29 Hang Giay Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bun Rieu Cua: 7B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bun rieu is a breakfast and lunch dish at most stalls.
5. Nom Hoa Chuoi – Banana Flower Salad
Nom hoa chuoi is a Vietnamese banana flower salad of shredded blossom, herbs and peanuts in a sweet-and-sour dressing, for about 40,000–80,000 VND (₹145–₹295), with a vegetarian version on request.
The slightly astringent banana blossom is mixed with herbs, peanuts and, in the traditional version, pig’s ear, all dressed in fish sauce with lime and chilli.
Indian traveller note: The traditional version has pork and fish sauce; ask for “nom chay”, made with tofu and soy-based dressing.
Where to try:
- Nom Hoa Chuoi 65: 65B Nguyen Van Cu Street, Long Bien, Hanoi
- Nom Hoa Chuoi Ha Noi Xua: 21 Hang Than Street, Hanoi
The salad works well as a side to share with a noodle dish.
6. Banh Cuon – Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls
Banh cuon is a dish of thin steamed rice sheets rolled around a filling of minced pork and wood-ear mushroom, served with Vietnamese sausage, herbs and a sweet fish sauce dip, for about 30,000–60,000 VND (₹110–₹220).
The sheets are steamed on cloth over boiling water and rolled to order, and each region has its own version.
Indian traveller note: The standard version contains pork, no beef; a mushroom-filled “banh cuon chay” is available at vegetarian restaurants.
Where to try:
- Banh Cuon Thanh Van: 14B Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Banh Cuon Tay Ho: 26B Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho, Hanoi
- Banh Cuon Gia An: 29 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Da Nang
Watching the cooks steam and roll the sheets is part of the experience at most banh cuon shops.
7. Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Pho is the most famous food in Vietnam and the Vietnam favourite food for most visitors, a rice noodle soup in a slow-cooked broth spiced with star anise, cinnamon and ginger, served with beef or chicken and fresh herbs, for about 40,000–80,000 VND (₹145–₹295) a bowl. Hanoi pho has a clear, light broth, while southern pho is sweeter and comes with a plate of herbs and bean sprouts.
Indian traveller note: Pho bo is beef; choose pho ga (chicken), or “pho chay” made with vegetable broth and tofu at vegetarian restaurants.
Where to try:
- Pho Gia Truyen: 49 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (beef)
- Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho is mostly a breakfast dish in Hanoi, and the best-known shops have queues from about 6:30 AM.
Central Vietnamese Food
Central Vietnamese food is the boldest and spiciest in the country, shaped by the former imperial capital of Hue, the trading port of Hoi An and the cool highlands around Da Lat. These 5 dishes cover lemongrass broths, turmeric noodles, fresh rolls and highland produce, and Da Nang and Hoi An are the easiest places to try them in 1 trip.
1. Bun Bo Hue – Hue-Style Beef Vermicelli Soup
Bun bo Hue is a spicy beef and pork noodle soup from Hue with a lemongrass and chilli broth, for about 50,000–80,000 VND (₹185–₹295) a bowl.
The broth is simmered from beef and pork bones with lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste, and the bowl is topped with beef shank, pork and chilli oil.
Indian traveller note: Contains beef and pork, so it is the main dish to skip for no-beef and no-pork diets.
Where to try:
- Bun Bo Hue O Cuong Chu Diep: 6 Tran Thuc Nhan Street, Hue
- Bun Bo Hue Ba Tuyet: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Hue
Hue’s version is spicier than the bun bo served in Hanoi or Saigon, so asking for less chilli is common.
2. Mi Quang – Quang-Style Turmeric Noodles
Mi Quang is a turmeric noodle dish from Quang Nam and Da Nang, served with only a little broth over flat rice noodles with shrimp, pork or chicken, peanuts and crushed rice crackers, for about 30,000–60,000 VND (₹110–₹220).
The bowl is eaten with mint, basil, coriander and shredded banana blossom.
Indian traveller note: Usually pork and shrimp, no beef; chicken mi Quang (mi Quang ga) is common.
Where to try:
- Mi Quang Ba Mua: 95 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Da Nang
- Mi Quang Thi: 208 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoi An
Mi Quang is eaten at any time of day in Da Nang, from breakfast to a late snack.
3. Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo – Da Nang Pork Rice Paper Rolls
Banh trang cuon thit heo is a Da Nang specialty of boiled pork rolled in rice paper with herbs, cucumber and green banana, dipped in fermented anchovy sauce, for about 50,000–90,000 VND (₹185–₹330) a set.
Diners roll their own, wrapping pork and vegetables in rice paper and dipping each roll in the anchovy sauce with ginger, lemongrass and chilli.
Indian traveller note: Built around pork; not suited to vegetarian or no-pork diets.
Where to try:
- Quan Tran: 300 Hai Phong Street, Da Nang
- Ba Mua Restaurant: 19 Tran Binh Trong Street, Da Nang
The anchovy dip has a strong smell, so first-timers often start with a little.
4. Cao Lau – Hoi An Pork Noodles
Cao lau is Hoi An’s signature dish of thick, chewy yellow noodles with char siu pork, herbs and crispy crackers in a little pork broth, for about 30,000–60,000 VND (₹110–₹220).
The noodles are traditionally made with water from local wells and wood ash, which gives them their texture and colour, and the dish is found mainly in Hoi An.
Indian traveller note: Built around pork; not suited to vegetarian or no-pork diets.
Where to try:
- Cao Lau Ba Met: 26 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An
- Cao Lau Thanh: 12 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An
Cao lau is best tried in Hoi An itself, as versions elsewhere rarely match the original noodles.
5. The Vegetable Hotpot in Dalat
Da Lat’s vegetable hotpot is a pot of broth cooked at the table with fresh highland greens, mushrooms and tofu, for about 39,000–200,000 VND (₹145–₹735) per person, and 1 of the best vegetarian meals in Vietnam.
Da Lat’s cool climate, with evenings around 15°C, and its farms make fresh vegetables the centre of the meal, and diners choose from several broths.
Indian traveller note: Vegetarian-friendly; ask for a vegetable broth, as some broths use bones or seafood.
Where to try:
- Lau Thap Cam Dalat: 26 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Da Lat
- Lau Chay Hoa Sen: 6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Lat
Hotpot is an evening meal in Da Lat, ideal after a day of sightseeing in the cool hills.
Southern Vietnamese Food
Southern Vietnamese food is the sweetest in the country, drawing on coconut milk, palm sugar and tropical produce, with Saigon at the centre of a busy street-food scene. These 6 dishes range from crispy pancakes and baguettes to the South’s best-loved rice and noodle plates, all easy to find in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. Banh Xeo – Vietnamese Crispy Pancake
Banh xeo is a crispy turmeric rice-flour pancake filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs and dipped in fish sauce, for about 30,000–60,000 VND (₹110–₹220).
The name comes from the sizzling sound of the batter in the hot pan.
Indian traveller note: Usually pork and shrimp, no beef; vegetarian “banh xeo chay” with mushroom and bean sprouts is common.
Where to try:
- Banh Xeo 46A: 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Banh Xeo Ba Duong: K280/23 Hoang Dieu Street, Da Nang
Banh xeo is meant to be eaten with the hands, wrapped in leaves.
2. Banh Mi – Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich
Banh mi is a crisp Vietnamese baguette filled with pâté, cold cuts or grilled meat, pickled carrot, cucumber, coriander and chilli, for about 20,000–45,000 VND (₹75–₹165).
Fillings vary by city and vendor, and the sandwich is eaten at any time of day.
Indian traveller note: Standard fillings contain pork; “banh mi chay” with tofu, egg or vegetables is easy to find.
Where to try:
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Asking for “khong pate” removes the pâté, which is made with pork liver.
3. Hu Tieu Nam Vang – Southern Pork and Shrimp Noodle Soup
Hu tieu Nam Vang is a Southern noodle soup of Cambodian-Chinese origin with a clear pork-rib broth, shrimp, sliced pork and fried garlic, for about 50,000–80,000 VND (₹185–₹295).
It can be served as a soup or “dry”, with the broth on the side.
Indian traveller note: Contains pork, no beef; a seafood-only bowl is often possible on request.
Where to try:
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Xuan: 133A Le Thi Rieng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang: 4A Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Nha Trang
Hu tieu is a popular breakfast across the south.
4. Nem Ran – Spring Rolls
Nem ran (cha gio in the south) are deep-fried spring rolls of minced pork, mushroom and glass noodles in rice paper, served with herbs and fish sauce, for about 40,000–70,000 VND (₹145–₹255) a plate.
They taste best straight from the fryer, while the rice paper is still crisp.
Indian traveller note: Contains pork; vegetarian “nem chay” with mushroom, taro and vegetables is widely available.
Where to try:
- Nha Hang Ngon: 160 Pasteur Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Nem Cua Be: 92 Tran Phu Street, Hai Phong
Spring rolls are the easiest dish to order for mixed groups, as vegetarian and meat plates can come together.
5. Banh Khot – Vung Tau Mini Savory Pancakes
Banh khot are bite-sized crispy rice-flour pancakes from Vung Tau, topped with shrimp and spring onion oil and wrapped in herbs, for about 50,000–90,000 VND (₹185–₹330) a plate.
The batter is cooked in small round moulds, giving each pancake a crisp edge and a soft centre.
Indian traveller note: Topped with shrimp, no beef or pork; ask whether a vegetarian version without shrimp is available.
Where to try:
- Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua: 14 Nguyen Truong To Street, Vung Tau
- Banh Khot street stalls: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vung Tau, now part of Ho Chi Minh City, is the place to try the original.
6. Com Tam – Saigon Broken Rice
Com tam is Saigon’s favourite plate of broken rice with grilled pork chop, egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin and a fried egg, served with fish sauce, for about 35,000–70,000 VND (₹130–₹255).
Broken rice, the grains split during milling, was once a cheap staple and is now the base of the city’s most popular lunch.
Indian traveller note: Standard plates contain pork; grilled chicken or egg-only plates are easy to order.
Where to try:
- Com Tam Ba Ghien: 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City
- Com Tam Sai Gon: 110 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Com tam is sold from breakfast until late evening across the city.
Vietnamese Coffee: Two Drinks You Must Try
Vietnamese coffee is made from dark-roast Robusta beans, stronger and more bitter than Arabica, which is why it is usually sweetened with condensed milk. These 2 drinks are found in every city, and Saigon’s café scene is covered in the guide to the coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. Egg Coffee – Hanoi Ca Phe Trung
Egg coffee is a Hanoi drink of strong coffee topped with a thick foam of whipped egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk, for about 25,000–50,000 VND (₹90–₹185) a cup.
The drink was created in Hanoi in the 1940s when fresh milk was scarce, and the foam tastes like a light custard.
Indian traveller note: Contains raw egg yolk and dairy, no meat; suits eggetarians, not strict vegetarians.
Where to try:
- Giang Cafe: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Cafe Dinh: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Coconut coffee is the usual swap for strict vegetarians.
2. Ca Phe Sua Da – Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee
Ca phe sua da is Vietnam’s classic iced coffee, brewed slowly through a metal phin filter onto sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice, for about 20,000–45,000 VND (₹75–₹165).
The drip takes 4–5 minutes, and the result is strong and sweet.
Indian traveller note: Vegetarian-friendly; contains coffee and dairy only.
Where to try:
- The Workshop: 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Cafe Do: 110A Le Loi Street, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Coffee, juices and fresh coconut are covered in the guide to Vietnam beverage choices, and Hoi An’s well-known café run by people with disabilities is featured in the guide to Oasis Cafe Vietnam.
Vegetarian and No-Beef Options for Indian Travelers
Vegetarian and no-beef food is easy to find in Vietnam once you know which dishes have a “chay” version and which phrases to use. Among the 20 dishes in this guide, the Da Lat vegetable hotpot, xoi xeo and iced milk coffee suit vegetarians as served, while pho, banh xeo, banh mi, spring rolls, banh cuon and banana flower salad all come in a meat-free “chay” version. Pho bo and bun bo Hue are the beef dishes to skip if you avoid beef.
3 phrases cover most situations: “an chay” for vegetarian food, “khong thit bo” for no beef, and “khong nuoc mam” for no fish sauce, which goes into most Vietnamese dishes. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (nha hang chay) in every city cook without fish sauce, and Indian restaurants in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hoi An can prepare Jain meals without onion and garlic.
Where to Eat Vietnamese Food on Your Trip
Most famous Vietnamese food is street food, best found in local markets, food stalls and family-run eateries rather than hotel restaurants, and grouped by region: Hanoi for pho, bun cha and egg coffee, the centre for mi Quang and cao lau, and Saigon for com tam and banh mi. Trying most of them means covering all 3 regions on 1 trip.
Sweet treats are covered in the guide to desserts in Vietnam, tropical fruit in the guide to fruits in Vietnam, and the mountain dishes of the north in the guide to the must try Sapa foods. Food is also part of the wider story of the country told in the guide to Vietnam culture.
Vietnamtour.in has planned Vietnam trips for more than 428,000 Indian travellers since 2015, and every itinerary can include food stops in each region with vegetarian or Jain meals arranged in advance. Food-focused routes are listed among the Vietnam travel packages, and seafood lovers can end on the island with Phu Quoc holidays. To plan a food trip around your diet and dates, share the travel dates, group size and departure city in the form below, and a Vietnamtour.in expert will build a route around the best Vietnamese food for you.
