Vietnamese cuisine is world-renowned for its diversity, sophistication, and especially its affordability. From bustling streets to quiet alleys, you can easily find countless delicious eateries, imbued with local flavors without worrying about your wallet. Let’s explore these culinary hotspots where you can fully enjoy the essence of Vietnamese cuisine at a very reasonable cost.
1. Bun Cha Hanoi – The Unforgettable Flavor of the Capital
- Address: 1 Bach Mai, Cau Den Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 30,000 – 50,000 VND
Bun cha is a signature dish of Hanoi, captivating diners with its rich, irresistible flavor. At 1 Bach Mai Bun Cha, you’ll savor fragrant, tender grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce. This eatery is famous for its family recipe, preserving the traditional taste of Hanoi bun cha.
Delicious Bun Cha Hanoi, grilled pork and noodles
Bun Cha Hanoi – A delicious and affordable dish that visitors shouldn’t miss when in Hanoi
2. Hoi An Chicken Rice – Rich Central Vietnamese Flavor
- Address: Com Ga Ba Buoi – 22 Phan Chau Trinh, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
- Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price Range: 35,000 – 70,000 VND
A trip to Hoi An is incomplete without tasting its chicken rice. Ba Buoi Chicken Rice is one of the most famous eateries in the ancient town, attracting crowds with its distinctive flavor and affordable prices. The rice is cooked from high-quality, fragrant grains, the free-range chicken is tender and flavorful with golden skin, served with crunchy chicken salad and a rich sweet and sour fish sauce.
Appetizing Hoi An Chicken Rice with shredded chicken and herbs
Hoi An Chicken Rice – A Central Vietnamese specialty with an irresistible delicious flavor
3. Banh Xeo Mien Tay – Crispy and Utterly Delicious Southern Pancake
- Address: Banh Xeo 46A – 46A Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 25,000 – 40,000 VND/pancake
Southern Vietnamese Banh Xeo is famous for its crispy crust, savory shrimp and pork filling, served with fresh herbs and a special dipping sauce. Banh Xeo 46A is a familiar spot for many Saigon residents and tourists, where you can enjoy authentic Southern-style banh xeo at a very affordable price.
Crispy Banh Xeo Mien Tay, Vietnamese savory crepe
Banh Xeo Mien Tay – A popular snack with a crispy crust and savory shrimp and pork filling
4. Pho Bo Nam Dinh – Unforgettable Traditional Beef Noodle Soup
- Address: Pho Bo Gia Truyen – 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 40,000 – 70,000 VND
Nam Dinh Beef Pho is renowned for its clear, sweet broth, soft and chewy rice noodles, and fresh, tender beef. Pho Bo Gia Truyen 49 Bat Dan is one of the oldest and most famous pho restaurants in Hanoi, loved by generations of locals. Here, you’ll enjoy a bowl of pho with a rich traditional flavor, irresistibly delicious.
Traditional Pho Bo Nam Dinh, beef noodle soup
Pho Bo Nam Dinh – A familiar breakfast dish for Vietnamese people with a distinctive sweet and clear broth
5. Bun Bo Hue – Spicy and Aromatic Hue Beef Noodle Soup
- Address: Bun Bo Hue O Phuong – 24 Nguyen Khuyen, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 30,000 – 55,000 VND
Bun Bo Hue is a specialty of Hue, the former imperial city, famous for its distinctive spicy flavor from fermented shrimp paste and lemongrass. Bun Bo Hue O Phuong is a popular eatery among locals and tourists alike, where you can enjoy an authentic bowl of Hue-style bun bo hue, rich in the flavors of the ancient capital at an affordable price.
Spicy Bun Bo Hue, Hue style beef noodle soup
Bun Bo Hue – A signature dish of Hue cuisine with a spicy and rich flavor
6. Cao Lau Hoi An – Unique Noodles of the Ancient Town
- Address: Cao Lau Lien – 9 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price Range: 30,000 – 50,000 VND
Cao Lau is a unique dish of Hoi An, featuring chewy cao lau noodles, savory char siu pork, crispy pork cracklings, fresh herbs, and a special thick broth. Cao Lau Lien is a famous family-run restaurant, preserving the traditional flavor of Hoi An cao lau. Here, you can experience this unique dish at a very reasonable price.
Unique Cao Lau Hoi An noodles with pork and herbs
Cao Lau Hoi An – A unique and distinctive dish that you can only find in the ancient town of Hoi An
7. Banh Mi Saigon – Delicious and Cheap Street Food Everywhere
- Address: Banh Mi Bay Ho – 19 Huynh Khuong Ninh, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Street cart, easily found in many places)
- Opening Hours: Morning and Afternoon
- Price Range: 15,000 – 30,000 VND
Banh Mi Saigon is a familiar street food, loved for its convenience, deliciousness, and affordability. Bay Ho Banh Mi cart is one of the most famous in Saigon, with crispy baguette, pate, Vietnamese sausage, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a rich sauce. You can easily find delicious and cheap banh mi carts on streets and alleys throughout Saigon.
Saigon Street Banh Mi, Vietnamese sandwich
Banh Mi Saigon – A convenient, delicious, and popular street food throughout Vietnam
8. Goi Cuon – Healthy and Refreshing Spring Rolls
- Address: Quan Goi Cuon Tom Nhay – 408 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 20,000 – 35,000 VND/serving
Goi Cuon (spring rolls) are a healthy and refreshing dish, loved by many, especially on hot summer days. Tom Nhay Spring Roll Restaurant is famous for its fresh and delicious spring rolls, with fresh shrimp, vibrant green herbs, soft vermicelli noodles, and a special black bean sauce. This is an ideal choice for a light, refreshing, yet nutritious meal.
Fresh Goi Cuon, Vietnamese spring rolls with shrimp
Goi Cuon – A healthy and refreshing dish that is popular in Vietnamese cuisine
9. Che Ngon Ba Mien – Sweet and Cooling Dessert
- Address: Hanoi Night Market, Ben Thanh Market (HCMC), Han Market (Da Nang) (Night markets and traditional markets nationwide)
- Opening Hours: Evening
- Price Range: 15,000 – 30,000 VND/cup
Che (sweet soup) is a familiar dessert in Vietnam, with countless varieties, each carrying the distinctive flavors of different regions. At night markets and traditional markets across the country, you can easily find delicious, affordable che stalls, offering various types such as sweet green bean soup, grapefruit sweet soup, Thai sweet soup, and khúc bạch sweet soup. This is a sweet and cooling treat, perfect after a meal or on hot summer days.
Diverse Che at a night market, Vietnamese sweet soups
Che Ngon Ba Mien – Sweet and diverse desserts, popular throughout Vietnam
10. Bun Dau Mam Tom – Rustic Flavor to Remember
- Address: Bun Dau Mam Tom Ngo Gach – Ngo Gach, Hang Buom Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 25,000 – 50,000 VND/serving
Bun Dau Mam Tom is a rustic dish, quintessentially Northern Vietnamese, loved by many for its distinctive flavor of shrimp paste, rice vermicelli noodles, crispy fried tofu, cốm patties, boiled pork, and fresh herbs. Bun Dau Mam Tom Ngo Gach is a famous eatery, highly rated for its quality and authentic traditional flavor. If you’re a fan of rustic cuisine, don’t miss bun dau mam tom when you visit Vietnam.
Flavorful Bun Dau Mam Tom, Vietnamese shrimp paste vermicelli
Bun Dau Mam Tom – A rustic dish with a distinctive flavor of Northern Vietnam
11. Hu Tieu Nam Vang – Rich Southern Flavor
- Address: Hu Tieu Nam Vang Quynh – A65 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 35,000 – 60,000 VND
Hu Tieu Nam Vang is a famous dish of Southern Vietnam, with a rich broth, chewy hu tieu noodles, shrimp, pork, quail eggs, and a variety of accompanying vegetables. Hu Tieu Nam Vang Quynh is a long-standing and famous restaurant in Saigon, loved by many for its authentic Nam Vang flavor and reasonable prices.
Delicious Hu Tieu Nam Vang, Phnom Penh noodle soup
Hu Tieu Nam Vang – A signature dish of Southern Vietnamese cuisine with a rich and appealing flavor
12. Banh Canh Cha Ca – Affordable and Delicious Nha Trang Noodle Soup
- Address: Banh Canh Cha Ca Ba Thua – 55 Yersin, Phuong Sai Ward, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Price Range: 20,000 – 40,000 VND
Banh Canh Cha Ca is a specialty of Nha Trang, loved for its clear, sweet broth, soft and chewy banh canh noodles, and fresh, flavorful fish cakes. Banh Canh Cha Ca Ba Thua is a famous eatery, chosen by many locals and tourists. When you visit Nha Trang, don’t forget to enjoy this affordable yet delicious banh canh cha ca.
Appetizing Banh Canh Cha Ca Nha Trang, fish cake noodle soup
Banh Canh Cha Ca Nha Trang – A specialty of the coastal city of Nha Trang with a rich flavor
13. Xoi Xeo Hanoi – Childhood Favorite Savory Sticky Rice
- Address: Xoi Xeo Ba Son – 33 Lo Duc, Pham Dinh Ho Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Price Range: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Xoi Xeo is a familiar breakfast dish for Hanoians, with fragrant sticky rice, smooth steamed mung beans, crispy fried shallots, and savory scallion oil. Xoi Xeo Ba Son is a famous xoi xeo stall, loved by many for its traditional flavor and affordable price. This simple xoi xeo dish has become an indispensable part of Hanoi street food.
Fragrant Xoi Xeo Hanoi, savory sticky rice with mung bean
Xoi Xeo Hanoi – A familiar and quintessential Hanoi breakfast dish
14. Com Tam Saigon – Filling and Affordable Saigon Broken Rice
- Address: Com Tam Ba Ghien – 84 Dang Van Bi, Binh Tho Ward, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 30,000 – 50,000 VND
Com Tam Saigon is a popular lunch dish, loved for its filling, delicious, and affordable nature. Com Tam Ba Ghien is a famous broken rice restaurant in Saigon, with tender grilled pork chop, flavorful steamed egg meatloaf, crispy pork skin, and fragrant broken rice. This is a great choice for a quick, filling, and budget-friendly lunch.
Appetizing Com Tam Saigon, Saigon broken rice with grilled pork
Com Tam Saigon – A popular and beloved lunch dish in Southern Vietnam
15. Mi Quang Da Nang – Rich Central Vietnamese Noodle Soup
- Address: Mi Quang Ba Mua – 19 Tran Binh Trong, Hai Chau 1 Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 25,000 – 45,000 VND
Mi Quang is a specialty of Da Nang, with vibrant yellow noodles, savory shrimp and pork, rich quail eggs, fresh herbs, and a distinctive thick broth. Mi Quang Ba Mua is a famous eatery, loved by many locals and tourists. When you visit Da Nang, don’t forget to enjoy this delicious mi quang, rich in Central Vietnamese flavor.
Distinctive Mi Quang Da Nang noodles with shrimp and pork
Mi Quang Da Nang – A specialty of Da Nang with a rich and distinctive flavor
Discover Delicious, Nutritious, and Affordable Vietnamese Food
Vietnam is a culinary paradise with countless delicious, unique, and affordable dishes. The affordable eateries across the country not only offer tempting food but also provide a place where you can experience local culinary culture in the most authentic way. Plan your Vietnamese food adventure today and enjoy these amazing flavors!