Best of Vietnam’s Famous Food: 20 Must-Try Dishes

Vietnamese kitchens share stories through steam rising from simmering pots and the sizzle of street-side grills. Each bowl of steaming pho and crispy banh mi sandwich shows why Vietnam famous food captivates visitors from around the world. 

From dawn markets in Hanoi’s maze-like alleys to candlelit tables in Saigon’s French villas, finding authentic Vietnamese food means following your nose to where locals gather. Street vendors have mastered their single signature dishes through decades of practice, and Vietnam’s celebrated chefs blend traditional techniques with new ideas.

Vietnamese Cuisine: 20 Famous Must-Try Foods in Vietnam

Alt:A tempting spread of assorted foods beautifully arranged on a table, offering a variety of flavors and dishes to enjoy!

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its perfect balance of flavours, textures, and aromas. Each must try food in Vietnam tells a story of regional influences, historical events, and cultural traditions that have shaped the country’s culinary identity over centuries.

1. Pho – The Soul of Vietnamese Cuisine

Pho stands as Vietnam famous food internationally recognized, representing the essence of Vietnamese culinary artistry. 

This aromatic noodle soup features a meticulously prepared broth that requires hours of simmering beef bones with an array of spices including star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.

Must try: With Quay (fried dough sticks) and a plate of fresh herbs including Thai basil, sawtooth coriander, and bean sprouts.

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200)

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2. Banh Mi – The Franco-Vietnamese Fusion

Among the most celebrated street food in Vietnam, banh mi represents the beautiful fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions. 

This must try food in Vietnam features a perfectly crispy baguette filled with a harmonious blend of meats, pâté, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Must try: With Ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) for a perfect breakfast or quick lunch combo.

Price Range: 15,000-40,000 VND (INR 50-135)

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3. Bun Cha – Hanoi’s Lunchtime Favorite

A quintessential traditional food of Vietnam, bun cha exemplifies the sophisticated flavors of northern Vietnamese cuisine. This top dish in Vietnam features grilled pork patties and slices served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce.

Must try: With Nem cua be (crab spring rolls) and a cold Bia Hanoi (local beer).

Price Range: 40,000-70,000 VND (INR 135-235)

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4. Goi Cuon – Fresh Spring Rolls

These translucent rice paper rolls represent the fresh, healthy aspect of Vietnam famous food. As one of the best food to try in Vietnam, goi cuon offers a light yet satisfying combination of shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs.

Must try: With a cold glass of bia hoi (fresh beer) or tra da (iced tea).

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200) for a pair

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5. Banh Xeo – Sizzling Savory Pancakes

A beloved street food in Vietnam, banh xeo showcases the artistry of Vietnamese cooking. These crispy, golden crepes filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts demonstrate why Vietnamese cuisine ranks among the world’s finest culinary traditions.

Must try: With fresh lettuce leaves for wrapping and nuoc cham for dipping. Pair with a glass of sugarcane juice for a refreshing contrast.

Price Range: 40,000-80,000 VND (INR 135-270)

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6. Ca Kho To – Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot

Ca kho to exemplifies the traditional food of Vietnam with its rustic preparation and complex flavors. This must try food in Vietnam features fish braised in a clay pot with caramel sauce, fish sauce, and black pepper, creating a dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and umami flavors.

Must try: With steamed white rice and stir-fried water spinach (rau muong xao toi).

Price Range: 80,000-150,000 VND (INR 270-500)

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7. Bun Bo Hue – Spicy Beef Noodle Soup

Among the top dishes in Vietnam, bun bo Hue represents the sophisticated flavors of central Vietnamese cuisine. This spicy beef and pork noodle soup showcases the complex spice combinations that make Vietnam famous food so distinctive.

Must try: With a plate of fresh herbs, banana blossoms, and a side of banh loc (tapioca dumplings).

Price Range: 35,000-70,000 VND (INR 120-235)

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8. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls

Representing the delicate side of street food in Vietnam, banh cuon features gossamer-thin steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. This best food to try in Vietnam demonstrates the intricate techniques of Vietnamese cuisine.

Must try: With Cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage) and a cup of hot green tea.

Price Range: 25,000-50,000 VND (INR 85-170)

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9. Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Signature Dish

Cao lau stands as one of the most unique traditional food of Vietnam offerings, with a fascinating heritage tied to Hoi An’s ancient trading port. 

This must try food in Vietnam features distinctive thick rice noodles that, according to local legend, can only be made using water from the town’s ancient wells, combined with sliced pork, crispy croutons, and fresh herbs.

Must try: With a side of mi quang (Quang-style noodles) and a glass of bia Larue (local beer).

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200)

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10. Cha Ca – Hanoi’s Famous Fish Dish

Among the most celebrated examples of Vietnam famous food, cha ca represents the sophisticated flavors of northern Vietnamese cuisine. This iconic dish features turmeric-marinated fish cooked tableside with dill and green onions, showcasing why Hanoi’s cuisine ranks among the best food to try in Vietnam.

Must try: With cold Hanoi beer and a side of banh da ke (millet rice crackers).

Price Range: 120,000-200,000 VND (INR 400-670)

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11. Banh Chung – Lunar New Year Rice Cake

Representing the heart of traditional food of Vietnam during Tet celebrations, banh chung embodies Vietnamese cultural heritage. 

This authentic food in Vietnam consists of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, meticulously wrapped in dong leaves and boiled for hours to create a dense, savory cake.

Must try: With Dua gop (pickled vegetables) and a cup of strong green tea.

Price Range: 50,000-100,000 VND (INR 170-335) per cake

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12. Com Tam – Broken Rice

Com tam represents the ingenuity of street food in Vietnam, transforming fractured rice grains into a beloved staple. This must try food in Vietnam originated as a resourceful way to use broken rice grains, but has evolved into one of the top dishes in Vietnam, particularly in the south.

Must try: With a small bowl of canh (clear soup) and nuoc mam (fish sauce) for drizzling.

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200)

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13. Bun Rieu – Crab Noodle Soup

Bun rieu showcases the sophisticated flavors that make Vietnam famous food internationally recognized. This traditional food of Vietnam combines a tangy tomato-based broth with fresh rice vermicelli, crab meat, pork, and tofu, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Must try: With a plate of fresh herbs, banana blossoms, and a side of cha com (young rice patties).

Price Range: 35,000-70,000 VND (INR 120-235)

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14. Banh Bot Loc – Tapioca Dumplings

Among the most delicate examples of authentic food in Vietnam, banh bot loc demonstrates the meticulous nature of Vietnamese cuisine. These translucent dumplings, a must try food in Vietnam, showcase the subtle artistry of central Vietnamese cooking traditions.

Must try: With a cup of Vietnamese green tea and a side of pickled vegetables.

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200)

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15. Che – Sweet Dessert Soup

Che represents the diverse sweet traditions within Vietnam famous food culture. This beloved category of desserts, which ranks among the must try food in Vietnam, encompasses a wide variety of preparations featuring ingredients like beans, jellies, fruits, and coconut milk.

Must try: With a glass of tra da (iced tea) to balance the sweetness.

Price Range: 15,000-40,000 VND (INR 50-135)

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16. Bun Dau Mam Tom – A Pungent Delight

Among the most characteristic examples of traditional food of Vietnam, bun dau mam tom offers a bold flavor experience that exemplifies Vietnamese street food culture. This combination of rice vermicelli, deep-fried tofu, and fermented shrimp paste represents the complex flavor profiles found in top dishes in Vietnam.

Must try: With a side of boiled pork and fresh herbs including perilla, Thai basil, and mint.

Price Range: 40,000-80,000 VND (INR 135-270)

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17. Bo Luc Lac – Shaking Beef

Bo luc lac demonstrates the sophisticated preparation techniques that make Vietnam famous food internationally acclaimed. This best food to try in Vietnam features tender cubes of beef stir-fried with garlic and green onions, deriving its name from the “shaking” motion used during cooking.

Must try: With steamed rice or watercress salad and a tangy lime-pepper dipping sauce.

Price Range: 100,000-200,000 VND (INR 335-670)

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18. Banh Khot – Mini Crispy Pancakes

Banh khot exemplifies the artistry of street food in Vietnam, particularly in the southern regions. These miniature rice pancakes represent the meticulous attention to detail that makes traditional food of Vietnam so special. 

Each perfectly formed pancake showcases the dedication to balanced textures that has made Vietnam famous food internationally recognized.

Must try: With fresh herbs like Vietnamese coriander and fish mint, wrapped in lettuce leaves and dipped in nuoc cham.

Price Range: 30,000-60,000 VND (INR 100-200)

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19. Mi Quang – Quang Nam’s Signature Noodles

Mi Quang stands as one of the top dishes in Vietnam, particularly celebrated in the central region. This must try food in Vietnam features distinctive yellow rice noodles served in a concentrated broth with pork, shrimp, and a variety of fresh herbs, topped with crushed peanuts and sesame rice crackers.

Must try: With banh trang me (sesame rice crackers) and a cold local beer.

Price Range: 25,000-50,000 VND (INR 85-170)

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20. Ga Nuong – Vietnamese Grilled Chicken

Ga nuong demonstrates the sophisticated marinade techniques that make traditional food of Vietnam distinct. This best food to try in Vietnam features chicken marinated in a complex blend of honey, spices, and aromatics before being grilled to achieve a perfect balance of caramelization and tenderness.

Must try: With steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and nuoc cham for dipping.

Price Range: 80,000-150,000 VND (INR 270-500)

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FAQs

What is Vietnam’s National Dish?

Pho is widely recognized as Vietnam’s national dish. This aromatic noodle soup perfectly represents the balance and sophistication of Vietnamese cuisine.

Is Vietnamese Food Expensive?

Vietnamese cuisine offers excellent value for money. Street food typically costs between 20,000-50,000 VND (INR 70-170), while restaurant meals range from 60,000-200,000 VND (INR 200-670).

What Type of Food is Eaten in Vietnam?

Vietnamese cuisine features fresh herbs, rice-based dishes, noodle soups, and stir-fries. The food emphasizes balance between fresh ingredients, minimal dairy and oil, complementary textures, and the five fundamental taste elements.

What is a Typical Breakfast in Vietnam?

Traditional Vietnamese breakfasts include pho, banh mi, xoi (sticky rice), and com tam (broken rice). These are often accompanied by ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk).

What is the Best Time to Experience Vietnamese Food?

Visit during the Tet festival (Lunar New Year) for traditional specialties like banh chung. Street food markets are particularly vibrant in the evening hours, and each season brings its own specialties.

What are Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Methods?

Vietnamese cooking incorporates various techniques:

• Nuong (grilling)
• Kho (braising in caramel sauce)
• Xao (stir-frying)
• Ham (steaming)
• Cuon (rolling)

What Currency is Used in Vietnam?

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). As of 2025, 1 VND equals approximately INR 0.0033.