Top 12 Best Vietnamese Street Foods: Beloved Local Dishes You Must Try
Chris
Travel Writer
If you want to truly understand the Vietnamese people, start with their street food. You don’t need a fancy restaurant — just a small plastic chair by the roadside, and you’ll find yourself tasting the very soul of Vietnam. During my journeys from Hanoi, Hue, and Hoi An to Saigon, I tried dishes that may look simple but hold the spirit of this country. Here are 12 must-try street foods in Vietnam that everyone should experience at least once.
1. Pho – The Soul of Vietnamese Cuisine
Pho is more than just a dish — it’s a national symbol. The clear yet rich broth, simmered for hours with beef bones, cinnamon, star anise, and grilled ginger, creates a fragrance that’s unforgettable. One spoonful on a chilly Hanoi morning will warm your entire body — and your heart.
Recommended spots: Pho Thin Lo Duc (Hanoi), Pho Hoa Pasteur (Saigon)
Cost: 40,000 – 70,000 VND (~$2–3)
Best time to eat: Early morning
2. Bun Cha – The Dish That Once Welcomed President Obama
Famously enjoyed by President Obama and chef Anthony Bourdain, bun cha is a perfect harmony of charcoal-grilled pork, sweet-sour dipping sauce, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Sitting on a small street-side stool, dipping the smoky meat into the sauce, you’ll understand why this dish became world-famous.
Recommended spot: Bun Cha Huong Lien (Hanoi)
Cost: 40,000 – 60,000 VND (~$2)
Best time to eat: Lunch
3. Banh Mi – “The World’s Best Sandwich”
A crunchy baguette stuffed with creamy pate, cold cuts, herbs, and a secret sauce — it’s no wonder international magazines call the Vietnamese banh mi the “king of sandwiches.”
Recommended spots: Banh Mi Phuong (Hoi An), Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (Saigon)
Cost: 20,000 – 40,000 VND (~$1–2)
Tip: Try both the pate version and the seafood version for variety.
4. Cao Lau – The Signature Dish of Hoi An
Unlike any noodle dish in Vietnam, cao lau features chewy yellow noodles served with char siu pork, crispy pork rinds, and fresh Tra Que herbs. Locals say only the water from the Ba Le well can make authentic noodles. Eating cao lau under glowing red lanterns at night feels like stepping into a painting.
Recommended spots: Hoi An Market or small stalls around the Old Town
Cost: 30,000 – 50,000 VND (~$2)
5. Banh Xeo – The Vietnamese Pancake
Golden and crispy, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts — when wrapped in herbs and dipped in fish sauce, banh xeo delivers a delightful blend of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, complete with a satisfying crackle.
Recommended spots: Ba Duong Pancake (Da Nang), Nguyen Trai Street (Saigon)
Cost: 25,000 – 50,000 VND (~$2)
6. Bun Bo Hue – The Spicy Spirit of Central Vietnam
Unlike Northern pho, bun bo Hue impresses with its red, chili-rich broth. A bowl filled with tender pork hock, crab sausage, and lemongrass aroma embodies the bold, fiery character of Central Vietnam.
Recommended spots: Me Keo Beef Noodle Soup (Hue), roadside stalls in Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: 40,000 – 70,000 VND (~$3)
Highlight: Spicy lemongrass broth
7. Hu Tieu – The Sound of Saigon Nights
At midnight, the familiar tapping sound (“go”) signals the noodle cart’s arrival. A simple bowl with rice noodles, minced pork, liver slices, and light broth captures the nostalgic charm of Saigon’s street life.
Recommended areas: Alleyways in District 3 or 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: 20,000 – 30,000 VND (~$1)
8. Goi Cuon – Vietnam’s Healthiest Street Food
With shrimp, pork, rice noodles, and herbs wrapped in thin rice paper and dipped in peanut sauce, goi cuon is a refreshing, light, and healthy delight.
Recommended spot: Street stalls near Ben Thanh Market (Saigon)
Cost: 5,000 – 10,000 VND per roll
9. Nem Lui – Grilled Pork Skewers on Lemongrass Sticks
Grilled over charcoal, nem lui is served with rice paper, herbs, and a thick, savory sauce made from peanuts and liver — a perfect example of Hue’s refined cuisine.
Recommended spots: Stalls near the Perfume River (Hue)
Cost: 5,000 – 7,000 VND per skewer
10. Che 3 Mien – Sweet Treats Across Vietnam
Each region has its own che (sweet dessert soup): the North loves mung beans, the Central region favors corn pudding, and the South is famous for colorful mixed che. No matter your choice, it’s the perfect way to cool off under the tropical sun.
Recommended spots: Che Muoi Sau (Hanoi), Che Hue, Che Thai (Saigon)
11. Banh Cuon – Hanoi’s Elegant Breakfast
Delicate rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms, served with sweetened fish sauce — banh cuon is soft, aromatic, and the ultimate morning comfort food of Hanoians.
Recommended spot: Banh Cuon Thanh Vân (Hang Ga, Hanoi)
Cost: 25,000 – 40,000 VND (~$1.5)
12. Ca Phe Sua Da – The Soul of Urban Vietnam
More than a drink, ca phe sua da is a way of life. Sit on a sidewalk in the morning, sip the strong coffee mixed with sweet condensed milk, and watch the city bustle by — you’ll feel the heartbeat of Vietnam.
Recommended spots: Street coffee stalls across Saigon
Cost: 15,000 – 30,000 VND (~$1)
Conclusion
Vietnamese street food doesn’t just fill your stomach — it opens a doorway into the culture, people, and spirit of the nation. Each dish tells a story: the sizzling sound of banh xeo, the smoky aroma of bun cha, or the sweetness of a cup of che.
If you ever have the chance, try them all. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences come from a small plastic chair by the roadside, sharing food with locals, and discovering Vietnam with all your senses.
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