Language 
Currency 
No results found
Vietnamese street food: A foodie’s guide to top dishes
The Holafly travel team put their heads together to showcase the best Vietnamese street food the country has to offer, what each dish is about, and where you’ll find these iconic plates.
Sizzling grills with plumes of fragrant smoke and secret family recipes passed down through generations of chefs — Vietnam is a food lover’s dream.
The beauty of Vietnamese street food lies not just in its taste but also in the experience that reflects the country’s rich history and diverse culture.
Each dish here has a story to tell. This street food Vietnam guide will take you on a unique culinary journey.
Whether visiting with a group of friends or solo, save this Vietnamese street food guide for your upcoming trip.
7 Must-try Vietnamese street food dishes
Pack your bags for Vietnam’s street food scene — elasticated waistbands and comfy walking sneakers are a must if you’re hoping to lap up as much as you can! Here are seven must-try dishes.
1. Phở
Phở is an emotion in Vietnam.
French colonialism brought the beef-eating culture to a traditional pork and chicken-eating society. And bam! Phở became Vietnam’s staple in the early 1900s.
What makes this soul-warming soup of silky rice noodles in fragrant broth unique is how you customize it.
Fresh herbs? A dash of chili sauce? Maybe even a squeeze of lime? Choose your condiments to match your taste.
- Best cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
- Main ingredients: Rice noodles, beef or chicken broth, beef or chicken slices, basil, cilantro, lime, bean sprouts, chili peppers
- Spice level: Mild
- Cost: Around $1.50 – $3 USD
2. Bánh mì
A fusion of French bread and Vietnamese flavors, Bánh mì, is a testament to Vietnam’s colonial past.
A crispy baguette stuffed with spiced meats and French pâté gives a fiery kick. Bánh mì isn’t your average sandwich, but it’s a fusion of flavors you won’t forget.
- Best cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi
- Main ingredients: Baguette, pâté, chả lụa (Vietnamese sausage), pickled vegetables (carrots, daikon), cilantro, chili peppers, mayonnaise
- Spice level: Mild to Medium
- Cost: Around $0.80 – $2
3. Gỏi cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Gỏi cuốn is another tasty Vietnamese snack that symbolizes the communal aspect of dining in Vietnam.
Families often prepared and ate such fresh spring rolls together during festive occasions.
Over time, it became a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, enjoyed regularly for its fresh ingredients and balanced flavors.
The crunch of lettuce, the pop of mint and cilantro, thin rice vermicelli, and sweet shrimp make it a perfect summer snack.
Biting into one is like a burst of freshness.
- Best cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An
- Main ingredients: Rice paper wrappers, shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli noodles, mint, lettuce, carrots, cucumber
- Spice level: Mild
- Cost: Around $1.65 – $2.90
Finding local markets and streets can be tricky when visiting the country for the first time.
Getting a mobile internet plan for Vietnam will be handy in reaching the right food spot at the right time — before the hanger sets in!
4. Bánh xèo
Although nobody knows who invented Bánh xèo’s, legend has its origins tracing back to the Cham people’s culinary styles and practices.
Bánh xèo is a Vietnamese version of a savory crepe with a unique, airy texture.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it’s a rice flour pancake wrapped in lettuce leaves and eaten with a tangy fish sauce (also known as nuoc mam).
- Best cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An
- Main ingredients: Rice flour batter, turmeric powder, coconut milk, shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, mint, lettuce
- Spice level: Mild
- Cost: Around $3
5. Chả giò
Back in the day, Vietnamese families spent hours preparing Chả giò for Lunar New Year celebrations. But these rolls were too good to save for special occasions alone.
Today, it’s a regular street food in Vietnam.
Served with Vietnam’s staple fish sauce, these golden-brown crispy spring rolls with savory fillings will impress any palate.
- Best cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hoi An
- Main ingredients: Rice paper wrappers, pork, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, onions, garlic
- Spice level: Mild
- Cost: Around $0.80
Top tip: Grab this dish in Hoi An and indulge at one of Vietnam’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Bún chả
Locals have been enjoying this lunchtime favorite for generations at sidewalk stalls. In 2016, even Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain couldn’t resist sitting down for a bowl during their visit to Vietnam.
Don’t miss out on Hanoi’s classic bowl of rice noodles topped with caramelized pork patties. The combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors will delight your taste buds.
- Best cities: Hanoi
- Main ingredients: Grilled pork skewers, rice noodles, fish sauce, herbs (mint, basil, cilantro), pickled vegetables
- Spice level: Mild to Medium
- Cost: Around $1.50
7. Cà phê trứng (Egg Coffee)
Cà phê trứng is a blend of a sweet, custardy meringue that slowly melts into robusta coffee. Milk was scarce in Vietnam during the First Indochina War.
So a bartender, Nguyen Van Giang, at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel got an interesting idea. He whipped egg yolks with sugar and coffee to prepare this genius concoction.
Fast-forward to today, it’s a comforting and indulgent traditional beverage. You can sip the original at Café Giang in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where they still use the same recipe that started it all.
- Best cities: Hanoi
- Main ingredients: Vietnamese coffee, egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar
- Spice level: NA
- Cost: Around $1.06 – $1.70
Curious about the cost of these mouthwatering dishes and where to find the best street food spots? Keep reading!
How much is street food in Vietnam?
Some street food dishes in Vietnam, such as Bánh mì and Chả giò, cost as little as $0.80. However, prices vary for each city, stall, and market.
For example, Phở and Bánh xèo can cost up to $3 in prime tourist locations and restaurants.
Usually, there’s no need to haggle because Vietnam has many budget-friendly food options and most stalls have set prices.
Though most vendors and cafes accept card payments, some don’t. It’s wise to carry some local currency (Dong) for quick purchases.
Where can you find the best street food in Vietnam?
The best places to relish Vietnamese street food are Old Quarter, Ben Thanh Market, Dong Ba Market, Con Market, Cai Rang Floating Market, and Hoi An’s Night Market.
Remember: Waiting times can be longer at some food stalls during peak season. Discover the best time to visit Vietnam, and plan your trip according to your patience.
Hanoi – Old Quarter
You’ll find many family-run Vietnamese street food stalls in the streets between Ma May and Ta Hien of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market offers a different take on Vietnamese cuisine with more southern flavors. It’s a perfect location to try delicious bánh xèo in the evening.
Hue – Dong Ba Market
A go-to tourist spot to experience authentic Imperial City flavors. Head straight for the bánh section to enjoy Hue’s signature spicy beef noodle soup.
Hoi An – Night Market
Hoi An’s night market is a lantern-lit wonderland stretching along the Thu Bon River with about 50+ food stalls. Street food dishes have northern and southern influences with a Central Vietnamese twist.
Da Nang – Con Market
Da Nang’s oldest market will have you enjoying a hearty breakfast. The food court on the east side is popular for mì Quảng (turmeric noodles) and bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo (pork rolled in rice paper).
Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market
You’ll need to hop on a boat to experience the floating cafes serving phở, southern-style noodle soup, tropical fruits, and Vietnamese coffee.
Make sure you have an international Vietnam eSIM with enough internet data to navigate these locations with Google Maps or to translate Vietnamese menus on the go!
Find your next bite with Holafly in hand
Vietnamese street food’s rich flavors and aromas delight the senses. The top three dishes you must add to your bucket list are Phở, Bánh Mì, and Gỏi Cuốn.
While many dishes are mild, some can be pretty spicy for picky eaters. Feel free to ask for less spice if you prefer. The best part? All meals are incredibly affordable.
However, you’ll need reliable connectivity and enough data to explore the local markets, find the best restaurants, and share your Vietnam street food pics on Instagram stories.
So, invest in a Vietnam SIM or eSIM for your upcoming trip.
If you opt for an eSIM, you don’t have to swap SIM cards or pay international roaming charges as you likely would if you were using a SIM card from home.
You can buy Holafly’s international eSIM anytime and activate it upon reaching Vietnam. With prepaid plans ranging from 1 to 90 days, Holafly offers unlimited mobile data according to your length of stay.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to mobile networks across Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Da Nang, and other popular foodie destinations.
Vietnam’s waiting, come hungry. And, get Holafly’s Vietnam eSIM with unlimited internet data to continue hunting the best Vietnamese street food spots hassle-free. Our one request? Save us something sweet!
Stay connected in Vietnam
Plans that may interest you
From London and now living in Barcelona Ray Slater Berry has been working in content and social media within the travel sector for 10+ years. He's worked with some big travel brands: Remote Year, TravelPerk, European Bartender School, to name a few. Ray has always been on the move with his work and believes that you're at your most productive and joyful when you're outside of your comfort zone.
