What to eat in Vietnam: 12 dishes and where they come from
In Vietnam try phở — rice noodle soup from Nam Dinh and Hanoi — Hanoi's bún chả, bánh mì, bánh cuốn, bún bò Huế, mì Quảng, Hoi An's cao lầu, bánh xèo, fresh gỏi cuốn rolls and nem nướng from near Nha Trang. Phở, mì Quảng and bánh cuốn are listed as national intangible heritage.
In Vietnam, try phở — rice noodles in beef broth from the north, Nam Dinh and Hanoi; bún chả — Hanoi's charcoal-grilled pork with cold noodles; bánh mì; bún bò Huế — a spicy beef soup from Hue; mì Quảng — yellow noodles from Quang Nam; Hoi An's cao lầu; crispy bánh xèo pancakes; fresh gỏi cuốn rolls; and nem nướng — grilled pork skewers from Ninh Hoa near Nha Trang. Vietnam's culture ministry has listed Nam Dinh and Hanoi phở, mì Quảng and Thanh Tri bánh cuốn as national intangible cultural heritage.
| Dish | Vietnamese | What it is | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pho | phở | rice noodles in beef broth with meat | north: Nam Dinh and Hanoi |
| Bun cha | bún chả | grilled pork patties and slices, cold noodles, dipping sauce | Hanoi |
| Banh mi | bánh mì | baguette with meat, pâté and herbs | nationwide |
| Banh cuon | bánh cuốn | steamed rice rolls with pork and mushrooms | Thanh Tri, Hanoi |
| Bun bo Hue | bún bò Huế | spicy beef-bone soup with lemongrass | Hue |
| Mi Quang | mì Quảng | wide yellow noodles, little broth, meat or shrimp, peanuts | Quang Nam and Da Nang |
| Cao lau | cao lầu | chewy noodles with pork and herbs | Hoi An |
| Banh xeo | bánh xèo | crispy rice pancake with shrimp and sprouts | central Vietnam |
| Goi cuon | gỏi cuốn | fresh rice-paper rolls with shrimp and noodles | south |
| Nem nuong | nem nướng Ninh Hòa | grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper | Ninh Hoa, near Nha Trang |
| Hu tieu | hủ tiếu | rice noodles in pork broth with shrimp | south |
| Com tam | cơm tấm | broken rice with grilled pork chop | south |
What is phở and where is it from?
Phở is rice noodles in a clear beef (sometimes chicken) broth with meat and herbs. It comes from the north — Van Cu village in Nam Dinh province and Hanoi — where it has been made since the early 20th century. In August 2024, Nam Dinh and Hanoi phở were added to Vietnam's national intangible cultural heritage list.
What is bún chả?
Bún chả is a Hanoi dish: charcoal-grilled pork patties and slices in a warm sweet-and-sour fish-sauce dip, with cold rice noodles and herbs on the side. It became world-famous on 23 May 2016, when US President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate it at Bún chả Hương Liên in Hanoi.
What to eat in central Vietnam?
In Hue, bún bò Huế — a spicy beef-bone soup with lemongrass and shrimp paste. In Da Nang and Quang Nam, mì Quảng — wide yellow noodles with a little broth, meat or shrimp, peanuts and a rice cracker; it was also added to the national heritage list in August 2024. In Hoi An, cao lầu — chewy noodles with pork and local herbs. See what to eat in Da Nang.
What to eat in Nha Trang?
The local signature is nem nướng Ninh Hòa: grilled pork skewers you wrap yourself in rice paper with herbs and dip in sauce. Ninh Hoa is a town in Khanh Hoa province, about 30 km from Nha Trang; in 2023 Asia Book of Records named it among Vietnam's top 10 specialties. And seafood — see seafood in Nha Trang and where to eat in Nha Trang.
What to eat in the south?
Try hủ tiếu — rice noodles in pork broth with shrimp — cơm tấm, broken rice with a grilled pork chop, and fresh gỏi cuốn rolls. From central Vietnam comes bánh xèo, a crispy rice pancake with shrimp and sprouts; its name echoes the sizzle of batter hitting a hot pan.
How to order without too much chilli?
Say không cay (not spicy); for drinks without ice, không đá. Sauces and chillies usually sit on the table for you to add. More in Vietnamese phrases for travellers, plus Vietnamese coffee and fruits of Vietnam.
FAQ
What must you try in Vietnam? Phở, bún chả, bánh mì, bún bò Huế, mì Quảng and fresh gỏi cuốn rolls.
Where does phở come from? Northern Vietnam — Nam Dinh province and Hanoi, early 20th century.
What did Obama and Bourdain eat in Vietnam? Bún chả at Bún chả Hương Liên in Hanoi, on 23 May 2016.