Vietnamese food is undoubtedly one of the most renowned cuisines of the world. Delighting your taste buds, It is diverse, fine and, what's more, healthy and balanced. If you’re wondering what to eat in Vietnam, let this Vietnam Travel Guide entice you with some highlights and regional specialties.
You will find all kinds of places to taste Vietnamese food and specialities: from street-side stalls to gourmet and gastronomic restaurants. You will also find a number of suitable mid-range addresses (which often offer excellent value for money ratio!). Regarding the street food and other mobile merchants, be careful if you have a fragile stomach, you might want to avoid these. In general, the Vietnamese are very serious on hygiene, and while food poisoning can happen, it remains rare.
Vietnam is divided into 3 regions given its "S" shape, and Vietnamese food follows also conforms to this regional division: its flavours change significantly depending on the region. In the north dishes are typically rather salty, in the centre of the country the dishes tend to be spicy, and in the south, the speciality is sweet/savoury combinations.
A typical family meal is generally composed of several dishes for an entire table to share: a sautéed or boiled meat, some seafood, at least one vegetable dish, all accompanied by rice and “nuoc mam“, Vietnamese fish sauce. A small broth usually accompanies the meal.
If you are wondering what to eat in Vietnam, be prepared that you will not be able to escape the famous "pho": rice noodles with beef ("pho bo") or chicken ("pho ga") immersed in a broth with subtle flavours of cinnamon, spring onion and star anise. The famous Vietnamese spring rolls are also a must-try Vietnamese food. Light and healthy, vary your tastings, there are all kinds of different flavours! "Banh mi" is also very popular and practical for eating on the go. It is a sandwich made with a mini baguette, garnished with the ingredients of your choice, but always with strips of small vegetables marinated in vinegar, a little mayonnaise and soy sauce.
Throughout your trip to Vietnam, you will come across regional specialities of Vietnamese food. In the north, you will enjoy the "cha ca" dill catfish, and the "bun cha": skewers of pork marinated and grilled over a wood fire, served with rice noodles
In Central Vietnam, the gastronomy is said to be the finest with all kinds of bites steamed and wrapped in banana leaves. There is also the "bun bo": rice noodle soup with pork. Pay attention, not to confuse it with the "bo bun" which one finds a lot in foreign countries, but which you will find in Vietnam under the name of "bun bo nam bo", and with much better flavours! In Hoi An, the flagship dish is "cao lau" and you will not find it anywhere else! It is a noodle soup, typical of the central region, with crispy pork, herbs and soy.
You will taste the best "banh xeo" in the South: large pancakes with saffron and coconut milk, filled with shrimp, pork and soy sprouts. If you are looking for some sweet treats, you can tickle your taste buds with coconut or banana candies, dried fruit and the local dessert, "che" that is typically consumed in a bowl, either hot or cold.
Don't miss out on drinks! Did you know that Vietnam is the 2nd largest producer of coffee in the world? Very strong and with a buttery aroma, Vietnamese coffee is usually enjoyed iced with sweetened condensed milk. Throughout your trip to Vietnam, you will also find "bia hoi": large spaces with multiple tables, often crowded and noisy, because the Vietnamese love to go there to drink beer and share a moment with friends.
The richness of Vietnamese food undoubtedly contributes to its appeal. From your first meal in Vietnam, you experience first-hand the mastery and explosion of flavours. Let your trip to Vietnam be a culinary journey, and an adventure through taste buds and scents!
Don’t hesitate to ask your Shanti Travel Expert for his/her recommendations on what to eat in Vietnam, favourite restaurants and the best places to try local specialities!
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