Vietnam's cuisine blends French and Asian influences, offering a symphony of flavours. Iconic dishes like pho and banh mi showcase this fusion. Street food dominates, featuring an array of soups, seafood, grilled meats and fresh spring rolls. The cuisine balances sweet, sour, salty and umami perfectly in dishes like clay pot fish and green mango salad. Rich coffee culture adds to the culinary experience. From city markets to rural eateries, Vietnamese food promises a memorable culinary journey. Here are some of the best Vietnamese dishes you NEED to try on your next trip!
Discover Iconic Vietnamese Dishes:
Pho
Dive into a steaming bowl of this fragrant noodle soup, a national treasure. This beloved Vietnamese soup features aromatic broth, rice noodles and tender meat. Garnished with herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, it's a flavourful comfort food. Originating in the early 20th century with French influences, pho has become a global culinary icon, enjoyed for its rich taste and cultural significance.
Banh Mi
This Vietnamese sandwich features a crisp baguette filled with savoury meats, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. It blends French and Vietnamese culinary influences, offering a perfect balance of flavours and textures. Popular varieties include sliced cold cuts, BBQ pork, chicken and tofu options.
Goi Cuon
Savour fresh spring rolls bursting with shrimp, pork, and vegetables. These iconic Vietnamese spring rolls are fresh, light, and usually served as appetizers. Rice paper wraps a filling of shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles and herbs like mint and cilantro. Served cold with a peanut or fish sauce dip, they're a healthy, flavourful dish popular throughout the country.
Street Food Adventures - join our expertly guided street food tours and uncover hidden gems:
Vespa Tour - Saigon After Dark
Immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan nightlife of chaotic Ho Chi Minh City, trying authentic street food, sipping on drinks and enjoying some live music.
Hue Evening Street Food Tour by cyclo
Sample the colours and flavours of Hue's cuisine, from vegetarian dishes to traditional crispy pancake and sweet soups, all whilst being chauffeured on an old-school cyclo.
Morning street eats Hanoi Tour
Wander the Old Quarter and stop to taste Pho Bo, traditional sweet cakes and soup, and iconic Vietnamese egg coffee, as well as some weird and wonderful foods offered in the market.
Master the Art of Vietnamese Cooking with market visits and hands-on demonstrations:
Cooking class at Hoa Tuc restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
Learn the secrets of some of Vietnam's most loved dishes. During the morning class, visit the market to sample common ingredients, before transferring to the restaurant courtyard to prepare a tasty 3-course Vietnamese meal (please note the afternoon class does not visit the market).
Red Bridge Cooking Class in Hoi An
This cooking experience will take you through the bustling markets to select fresh produce essential for Vietnamese dishes, before taking a relaxing boat trip to The Red Bridge Cooking School set on 3 acres of lush tropical gardens. Prepare and enjoy your meals overlooking the river.
Book your next Vietnam adventure with BKB Holidays.
Discover Vietnam's culinary treasures on our 10-day Vietnam Highlights tour: savour fresh seafood whilst cruising on Ha Long Bay, explore Hoi An’s vibrant street food scene on the back of a vintage Vespa and explore the unique flavours of the Mekong Delta. Call 1300 357 057 or email web@bkbholidays.com to book.