From street food to fine dining: a culinary journey through Vietnam
Vietnamese food offers a cornucopia of flavors that reflect the country’s vast history, culture, and tradition; a trip to Vietnam is always a delicious feast.
Calling all travel-loving foodies! Have you considered a tour of Vietnam? You may be familiar with some of its delicious street food classics, like a juicy banh mi or a warm bowl of slurpy pho, but on our Vietnam tours, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the fullness of Vietnamese dishes through immersive experiences. When you go with us, we’ll take you on a guided tour of the surreal floating markets, bring you to dinner at a local’s home, and even help you book an indulgent evening at a fine-dining restaurant if you’d like.
On these tours, you’ll get to sample local cuisine while you learn about how Vietnam’s relationship to other culinary powerhouses like China and France has shaped the national cuisine—all while bonding with your group over a bowl of pho. In short, no matter what you’re craving, our trips to Vietnam have you covered.
Vietnamese cuisine is all about the regional flavors
From the tasty broths of the north to the floating markets of the Mekong River, Vietnam’s culinary traditions vary from region to region. Like anywhere else in the world, how and what locals eat in Vietnam changes with the geography. The best Vietnamese food is defined by locality and seasonality. Here’s a quick primer on what to expect, food-wise, on our Vietnam tours.
In northern Vietnam, tuck into warming, balanced broths
Vietnamese food recipes that are developed in this region are famous for subtlety and balance, instead of flavor through sweetness or heat, as is common in other regions.
Pho
If you love soup and are eager to try pho (one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes), the city of Hanoi will exceed your expectations. Pho bac (or pho of the north) is known for its minimal spice and garnishes, relying on its potent bone broth to deliver its deep signature flavor.
Bun cha
Thought to have been developed in Hanoi, this dish features pork, noodles, fish sauce, and white rice to soak up all the flavors. Throughout your three-night stay in Hanoi on our 12-day Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to dig in to this savory dish—among others!
Ca phe
Vietnamese coffee, or ca phe, is typically quite strong, and locals like to sweeten it with condensed milk. If you want to be more adventurous with your cup o’ joe, try egg coffee, a Hanoi trademark that’s crowned with foam made from whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, and sugar.
Pro tip: On our Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City tour, take your foodie-focused stay to the next level by signing up for our Vietnamese Home-Hosted Dinner excursion. At Ms. Nga’s Hanoi home, you’ll get the opportunity to hear her stories about local life while sampling some Vietnamese home-cooking.
In central Vietnam, spicy food is king
On the whole, Vietnamese cuisine isn’t very spicy. That is, unless you’re in central Vietnam, where you’ll find some of the boldest, spice-forward iterations of your favorite Vietnamese dishes. The imperial city of Hue has been a strong culinary influence here and the regional food tends to be more sophisticated than in other parts of the country.
Bun bo hue
This spicy beef noodle soup is made with chili, herbs, and thick noodles. On our 15-day Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour, you’ll get three nights to spend in central Vietnam (aboard a small cruise, no less), during which you can test your spice limit with Vietnamese food like this.
Pro tip: Squeeze some fresh lime juice on top of your bun bo hue before slurping down this hearty (spicy) meal!
Cao lau
Cao lau is popular in Hoi An and can usually be adjusted based on heat tolerance. It consists of locally made, light-brown, chewy noodles and thinly sliced pork belly, that are topped with crispy crackers. Interested in learning how to make this and many other local favorites? You’re in luck: The Hoi An portion of our Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour tour includes a comprehensive Vietnamese food cooking class aboard your ship.
Tea
On our Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour, you’ll get to stop in Hue, where you can immerse yourself further into the food culture of the area by touring a tea and rice paddy farm. After the tour, you’ll get to sip and sample local varieties.
Rice
On that same tea and rice paddy farm tour, you’ll learn about the rice paddies (and the water buffaloes that plow these fields), too. Then, you’ll sit down for a group lunch of regional delicacies. Rice is not only a cornerstone of many Vietnamese dishes, it’s also a main export for the country, earning even more importance as a food staple in Vietnam. Discovering the real-life stories behind these dishes is one of our favorite things to do in Vietnam.
In southern Vietnam, find sweet, tropical flavors along the Mekong Delta
For a sweeter take on popular Vietnamese dishes, you need to head south to Ho Chi Minh City—as we do on our Grand Tour of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand tour. There, more tropical conditions yield ingredients like fresh seafood and tart fruit—many of which become the stars of Vietnamese recipes. You’ll even get a guided tour of Ben Thanh Market, where you can peruse 1,500 stalls and sample some of the best Vietnamese food in the country.
Ca kho to
Seafood lovers will adore this traditional braised fish dish. It’s cooked with a caramel sauce that’s a local specialty called nuoc mau. Each bite has a sweet exterior with a savory center. So good, it’s almost sinful!
Banh xeo
This savory crepe’s batter is made with coconut milk and turmeric in southern Vietnam. Fillings range from pork to prawns to beans—offering yet another sweet and savory dish. Locals love it, and it’s certainly worth seeking out on your trip to Vietnam.
Pro tip: On our Grand Tour of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand, add the Traditions of the Mekong River Delta excursion. This full-day experience reveals cultural practices that have flourished along the river for centuries. You’ll visit a straw mat-weaving workshop and see the inner workings of a coconut plantation (you can try your hand at picking them, too) before learning about how coconut candy is made.
Vietnamese street food: popular dishes to try on alleys and boulevards of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and beyond
Like many parts of Southeast Asia, street food is an important and ever-present component of Vietnamese dining. Enthralling and colorful Vietnamese street food scenes can be found on every stop of our Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City tour. Whether you’re sampling it in markets or visiting a famous pho vendor in Hanoi, trying Vietnamese street food is one of the best things you can do in Vietnam.
Because of the popularity of street food, street-side eating is also an iconic part of the culture in Vietnam. Usually, low-lying tables and chairs are set up around each vendor, who generally only focuses on one or two trademark dishes. For some expert advice on where to go, don’t hesitate to ask your Tour Director for recommendations.
Pro tip: If you want to try to find your own favorite food vendor, you should take note of three things:
- Is the stall neatly organized?
- Do the ingredients look fresh?
- Is there a crowd of locals and visitors gathering around it?
If the answer to all three is a resounding yes, dig in! To prepare you for your next trip to Vietnam, here’s a rundown of a few great Vietnamese dishes that might be best savored on the streets.
Pho
You may be surprised to learn that this savory, brothy noodle soup is actually a Vietnamese breakfast staple, but regardless of when you have it, you’ll love its warming quality. Loaded with either chicken or beef plus a variety of herbs and bean sprouts, pho is not only one of the best street food dishes of Southeast Asia, but many consider it the national dish of Vietnam.
Bahn mi
Here’s where you’ll find French influence on Vietnamese food, thanks to the crispy baguette and pate that make up this savory sandwich. The most famous version has pate made from pork, but you can also find chicken and even vegetarian options, too.
Goi cuon
This summer spring roll might be the easiest thing to eat on the street considering how portable it is. This rice paper roll stuffed with meat, veggies, and rice noodles is delicious, sure, but it’s nutritious, too.
Banh xeo
Another one of our favorite street food dishes in Southeast Asia is this savory crepe (another nod to the French here). The rice flour makes it a lot crispier than the crepes you’ll find in France, though.
Che
If you have a sweet tooth, ask your Tour Director to guide you to the best dessert vendor. In Vietnamese cuisine, che can refer to any type of soupy dessert or pudding that usually involves shaved ice and local fruits. It’s a refreshing way to cool down during your Vietnam tour.
Savor our best-selling Vietnam tours
Fine-dining feasts: the restaurants to book for unforgettably opulent meals
On the other end of the Vietnam dining spectrum, there is no shortage of fine dining restaurants throughout the country, too, especially in the major cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. While Vietnamese cuisine is best known globally for its humble street food, the fine dining scene has been thriving in recent years. Award-winning restaurants featuring creative local chefs have been reimagining what Vietnamese food looks and tastes like in compellingly delicious ways. So, if you love a Michelin star or a tasting menu, you’ll want to book the following reservations way ahead of your trip to Vietnam.
- Michelin-starred Tam Vi is a fantastic choice for an indulgent dinner in Hanoi on our Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City tour. (There’s plenty of free time!) Set inside a historic townhouse, the kitchen’s focus here is honoring northern Vietnamese home cooking with the finest ingredients.
- Anan Saigon was Ho Chi Minh City’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Peter Cuong Franklin reimagines classic dishes with delicate playfulness, with such dishes as a banh xeo beef taco. Secure a booking for your free night on our Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour.
- The seasonal 12-course tasting menu at Gia in Hanoi celebrates tradition. The Michelin-starred meal can feature anything from mango glazed with fish sauce to a crab with chili sauce.
When and how to tour Vietnam as a food lover
While all our Vietnam tours offer ample opportunities for you to sample the best of Vietnamese cuisine, some strategic planning can help the most adventurous foodies maximize their trip, putting culinary experiences at the forefront.
The best time to travel to Vietnam
While there’s no bad time to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Vietnam, most say that spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November) are generally the ideal seasons for a visit. This means you can avoid the rainy season in most parts of the country and winter in the north. This will come in handy if you really want to spend a lot of time outside to explore the country’s massive network of street food.
Why going guided is best
A guided tour of Vietnam helps take the guesswork out of travel. Your expert Tour Director can help you navigate language barriers and explain specific details regarding recipes or spice levels. But they can also take you to some stunning hidden gems that you might not otherwise find.
Which excursions to take
Our standard Vietnam itineraries are full of unforgettable experiences. But we do leave you with plenty of free time to not only explore on your own but also to enjoy optional excursions. For instance, during our Vietnam & Angkor Wat tour, culinary-minded travelers may want to go on the Mekong Delta Cruise to see one of Vietnam’s largest floating markets, where local produce is strung up on bamboo poles over the boats.
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