Vietnam is a food lover's paradise where world-class dishes cost less than a cup of coffee back home. The country's cuisine is built on a foundation of fresh herbs, balanced flavors, and techniques refined over centuries. From the French-influenced banh mi to the ancient art of pho, Vietnam's food tells the story of its complex history and diverse geography.
Anthony Bourdain famously said that Vietnam changed his life — and it's easy to see why. Here are the 10 dishes that every visitor must experience.
1. Pho — Pho Thin, Hanoi
Pho is Vietnam's national dish — a deeply aromatic beef noodle soup that's been simmered for hours with star anise, cinnamon, and charred ginger. Pho Thin in Hanoi has been serving their legendary version since 1979.
Must-try: Pho Bo Tai (rare beef pho) — 50,000 VND (~$2 USD)
Location: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
2. Banh Mi — Banh Mi Phuong, Hoi An
Banh Mi is the ultimate Vietnamese sandwich — a crispy baguette filled with pate, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and chili. Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An was made famous by Anthony Bourdain, who called it "the best sandwich in the world."
Must-try: Banh Mi Dac Biet (special) — 30,000 VND (~$1.20 USD)
Location: 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An
3. Bun Cha — Bun Cha Huong Lien, Hanoi
Bun Cha is Hanoi's signature dish — grilled pork patties and sliced pork belly served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping broth. This is the dish that Obama and Bourdain shared during their famous 2016 dinner.
Must-try: Bun Cha with Nem Cua Be (crab spring rolls) — 60,000 VND (~$2.40 USD)
Location: 24 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
4. Banh Xeo — Banh Xeo 46A, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crispy crepe) is a golden, crispy rice flour crepe filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. Wrap pieces in lettuce leaves with fresh herbs and dip in nuoc cham (sweet fish sauce).
Must-try: Banh Xeo Tom Thit — 70,000 VND (~$2.80 USD)
Location: 46A Dinh Cong Trang, District 1, HCMC
5. Com Tam — Com Tam Ba Ghien, Ho Chi Minh City
Com Tam (broken rice) is southern Vietnam's beloved comfort food — broken rice grains topped with grilled pork chop, egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin, and pickled vegetables. Com Tam Ba Ghien is the most famous in HCMC.
Must-try: Com Tam Suon Bi Cha (pork chop + skin + meatloaf) — 55,000 VND (~$2.20 USD)
6. Goi Cuon — Everywhere in Vietnam
Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls) are the perfect Vietnamese snack — rice paper wrapped around shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs. Dip in hoisin-peanut sauce or nuoc cham.
Price: 20,000-40,000 VND (~$0.80-1.60 USD) for 2-3 rolls
7. Ca Phe Trung — Cafe Giang, Hanoi
Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee) is Hanoi's most famous drink — strong Vietnamese coffee topped with a creamy, meringue-like egg custard. Cafe Giang invented this drink in 1946 and still serves the best version.
Must-try: Egg coffee hot — 35,000 VND (~$1.40 USD)
Location: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
8. Mi Quang — Mi Quang Ba Mua, Da Nang
Mi Quang is central Vietnam's signature noodle dish — turmeric-tinted noodles with shrimp, pork, peanuts, rice crackers, and fresh herbs in a small amount of rich broth.
Must-try: Mi Quang Tom Thit — 40,000 VND (~$1.60 USD)
9. Bun Bo Hue — Bun Bo Hue Ba Tuyet, Hue
Bun Bo Hue is central Vietnam's spicy noodle soup — lemongrass-infused beef broth with thick vermicelli noodles, pork knuckle, and chili oil. It's pho's spicier, bolder cousin.
Must-try: Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet — 50,000 VND (~$2 USD)
10. Che — Che Huong, Ho Chi Minh City
Che is Vietnam's answer to dessert — a sweet soup/stew made with beans, tapioca, fruit, and coconut milk. There are dozens of varieties, each more colorful and delicious than the last.
Must-try: Che Ba Mau (three-color dessert) — 25,000 VND (~$1 USD)
Vietnam Food Budget
Bottom Line
Vietnam offers arguably the best value food experience in all of Asia. For $10-15 per day, you can eat extraordinarily well — from legendary pho and banh mi to lesser-known regional specialties. The emphasis on fresh herbs, balanced flavors, and time-honored techniques makes Vietnamese cuisine not just delicious but genuinely healthy.
Sources: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, CNN Travel, Lonely Planet
