11 Essential Vietnamese Dishes to Try On Your Trip
Looking for a brief intro to the most iconic Vietnamese dishes? Read on!
Few places in the world capture the spirit of food and culture as vividly as Vietnam. Anthony Bourdain, who often described Vietnam as one of his most beloved countries for food, once said eating here could change the way you see the world.
Book This Top Rated Saigon Food Tour on Viator!
I only had four days in Vietnam on a whirlwind work trip—shoutout to the incredible humans at Travel Massive who put together an amazing event on travel tech and community building at the Ariyana Center in Da Nang—but even in that short time, I ate my way through some of the country’s most iconic dishes.
One of our banh mi breakfast meals may or may not even have ended up in the spotlight as part of the pitch of the exciting new accommodation cost sharing travel startup SplitStay – check them out!
And what an honor hanging out with the man who brought poutine to Vietnam – the Canadian Vietnamese Chef Rang. If you’re visiting Saigon anytime soon be sure to taste his creations at King Poutine.
Must Try Vietnamese Dishes (+ Drinks)
This is just a glimpse into the flavors of Vietnam: a mix of history, tradition, and modern street food genius. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Hanoi, the alleys of Saigon, Hoi An breweries, or your local Vietnamese restaurant back home, these are the dishes you absolutely need to try:
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1. Bánh Mì – The Vietnamese Sandwich
A symbol of Vietnam’s colonial past, the bánh mì is the perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese influences. Crusty baguette (a French legacy) is filled with pâté, pickled vegetables, herbs, chili, and proteins ranging from pork to tofu.
In the north, fillings are often simpler, while in the south, sandwiches are loaded with flavor and spice. No two bánh mì are ever the same—and that’s the magic.
The bánh mì has its roots in Vietnam’s colonial history, when the French introduced the baguette in the late 19th century. Originally a luxury item reserved for the wealthy, bread became more widely accessible after World War I, when local bakers adapted it with rice flour to make it lighter and crispier.
Over time, the Vietnamese transformed the French baguette into their own creation, filling it with local flavors—pâté, pickled vegetables, cilantro, chili, and a variety of proteins. What began as a symbol of colonial influence evolved into a distinctly Vietnamese street food icon, celebrated around the world today.
For a more in depth read I highly recommend diving into the excellent essay The sandwich that ate the world by Roads and Kingdoms.
2. Phó – The Quintessential Soup
Phở is Vietnam’s most famous dish, a steaming bowl of rice noodles in fragrant broth. Stemming from northern Vietnam, phở bò (beef) is the classic, while southern Vietnam is known for phở gà (chicken) and a sweeter, herb-forward broth.
More than just breakfast food, phở is comfort in a bowl and a reflection of Vietnam’s regional diversity.
Phở emerged in the early 20th century, at a time when the country was under French colonial rule. The French had popularized beef consumption—previously rare in Vietnamese diets—and local cooks began simmering leftover bones into broths, combining them with Chinese-style rice noodles and local spices.
What began as a humble street food for workers quickly became a culinary staple. After the First Indochina War and Vietnam’s push for independence, phở took on a deeper meaning: it was no longer just a meal, but a symbol of resilience and national identity.
When northerners migrated south in 1954, they carried phở with them, adapting it with more herbs, garnishes, and a sweeter broth. Today, phở is not only Vietnam’s most famous dish but also a story in a bowl—born from colonial influences, shaped by migration, and embraced as a proud emblem of freedom.
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3. Freshly Cooked Seafood
Vietnam’s long coastline means seafood is central to daily life. In Da Nang and coastal towns, open-air eateries serve grilled clams, squid, crab, and prawns, often seasoned with chili, lime, and salt.
It’s communal dining at its best—simple, fresh, and unforgettable. For the most authentic experience, you’ll want to seek out the tiny plastic chairs on the sidewalk. Do not miss the ubiquitous grilled oysters with a variety of toppings!
4. Com Gà – Vietnamese Chicken Rice
Every region has its version of chicken rice, but Hoi An’s cơm gà is the most famous. Shredded chicken is served over turmeric rice, garnished with fresh herbs, onions, and chili sauce.
Its roots trace back to Chinese immigrants who adapted Hainanese chicken rice with Vietnamese flavors.
In places like Hội An, the dish evolved with local twists: chicken is shredded and mixed with herbs, onions, and chili, then served over fragrant turmeric rice cooked in chicken broth.
Unlike its Chinese cousin, Vietnamese chicken rice is lighter, fresher, and more herb-driven—showcasing Vietnam’s signature balance of flavor and texture. Today, it’s a beloved regional specialty, especially in central Vietnam.
5. Goi Cuón – Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Light, fresh, and endlessly customizable, these rice-paper rolls are packed with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and herbs, then dipped in peanut or fish sauce. They’re a perfect example of Vietnam’s balance between freshness and flavor.
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6. Bún Cha – Grilled Pork with Noodles
Forever immortalized as the dish Obama and Bourdain shared in Hanoi, bún chả is a smoky, tangy, sweet combination of grilled pork patties, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. It’s a northern specialty, beloved for its unpretentious charm. (Fun fact: locals asked Obama afterward why he didn’t try phở or bánh mì instead!)
7. Com Tam – Broken Rice
A Saigon classic, cơm tấm began as a humble meal for farmers, made from fractured rice grains. Today, it’s topped with grilled pork chops, fried eggs, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce. Comfort food at its finest.
8. Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Signature Noodles
Found only in Hoi An, cao lầu is a chewy noodle dish made with water from the town’s ancient wells. Topped with pork, herbs, and crispy rice crackers, it’s part legend, part culinary art.
Book This Top Rated Saigon Food Tour on Viator!
9. Bánh Tráng Nuong – Vietnamese Pizza
Street food innovation at its best: rice paper grilled over coals, topped with egg, pork, dried shrimp, scallions, and chili sauce. Folded like a taco or cut like a pizza, it’s a late-night favorite.
Bánh tráng nướng is a relatively modern street food that gained popularity in Đà Lạt in the early 2000s. Vendors began grilling rice paper over charcoal and topping it with eggs, dried shrimp, sausage, scallions, and chili sauce—creating a quick, portable snack that blended traditional rice paper with playful, contemporary flavors.
Its rise was fueled by Vietnam’s youth culture and night markets, and today it has spread across the country as a fun, customizable street food favorite.
10. Bánh Xèo – Vietnamese Crepes
Golden turmeric crepes stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in lettuce and herbs before dipping into fish sauce. The name means “sizzling cake,” a nod to the sound of batter hitting a hot pan.
11. Morning Glory (Rau Muong)
Simple but unforgettable, morning glory (water spinach) is stir-fried with garlic, chili, and fish sauce. It’s the vegetable side dish you’ll see everywhere, and once you try it, you’ll crave it with every meal.
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Bonus: Essential Vietnamese Drinks
- Vietnamese Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá): Strong, dark coffee brewed in a drip filter, sweetened with condensed milk, and served over ice. The kick you need to fuel endless days of exploration.
- Vietnamese Lager Beer: Light, refreshing, and perfect with street food. In Vietnam, beer is less about the brand and more about sharing—served with ice and endless cheers of “Một, hai, ba, dzô!”
Vietnamese Cuisine: Final Thoughts
Even in just four days, I realized why Bourdain loved Vietnam so deeply. Food here isn’t just about eating—it’s about community, history, and the joy of sharing a table. Whether you’re slurping noodles at a roadside stall in Hanoi or grabbing bánh mì from a cart in Saigon, every dish tells a story.
And if you can’t make it to Vietnam yet, don’t worry—Vietnamese food has spread across the world for good reason. Find a local spot, order a phở or bánh mì, and taste a small slice of this culinary paradise.
Book This Top Rated Saigon Food Tour on Viator!
What else would you add to the list of top Vietnamese dishes? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!
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