Vietnamese street food has long been a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part of the travel experience for anyone setting foot in this S-shaped country. Forget fancy restaurants, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the sidewalks, where delicious, flavorful dishes imbued with local identity are prepared and served right before your eyes. From simple street vendors to small roadside eateries, Vietnamese street food is a colorful and flavorful world waiting for you to explore.
Why is Vietnamese Street Food So Captivating to Travelers?
Vietnam, a country with a rich and diverse culinary culture, is famous for its exquisite traditional dishes. However, it is street food that possesses a special, irresistible attraction for international visitors. Anthony Bourdain, the late renowned chef and host of famous food travel shows, once asserted: “I think street food is the salvation of the human race.” This quote not only reflects his love for Vietnamese street food but also reflects a reality: street food here is truly a paradise.
The appeal of Vietnamese street food comes from many factors. First and foremost is the diversity and richness of the dishes. Each region, each street has its own specialties, from pho bo (beef noodle soup) in Hanoi, bun cha (vermicelli noodles with grilled pork), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), nem ran (spring rolls) in the North, to bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup), mi Quang (Quang noodles), cao lau (Hoi An noodles) in the Central region, or banh xeo (crispy pancake), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), hu tieu (rice noodle soup) in the South. This diversity creates a colorful culinary picture, catering to all tastes and preferences of travelers.
Secondly, Vietnamese street food offers an authentic and close-up experience with local culture. You not only get to enjoy delicious dishes but also observe how locals prepare and enjoy food, immersing yourself in the bustling, lively atmosphere of street life. This is a unique cultural experience that you can hardly find in luxury restaurants.
Finally, affordable prices are also an important factor that makes Vietnamese street food so beloved. At very reasonable prices, you can enjoy quality meals, fill your stomach, and discover many different delicious dishes. This is an ideal choice for travelers who want to experience Vietnamese cuisine fully without spending too much.
Exploring Saigon Street Food – The “Eye of the Storm” of Sidewalk Cuisine
If Hanoi is considered the cradle of traditional cuisine, then Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, is the “eye of the storm” of Vietnamese street food. This dynamic city is a convergence of culinary quintessence from all over the country, and also a melting pot of international culinary cultures. Although high-end cuisine is increasingly developing, street food still maintains its dominant position and is an inseparable part of Saigon.
According to the Michelin Guide, District 1 is considered an ideal starting point to explore Saigon’s street food scene. This area not only concentrates many famous tourist attractions such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, but also countless attractive street food stalls. You can easily find typical Saigon and Vietnamese dishes all over the streets and sidewalks of District 1.
A great suggestion from the Michelin Guide is to start your day with a bowl of pho at Pho Minh, a long-standing pho restaurant listed in the Bib Gourmand 2024. This family-run pho restaurant has been around for nearly 80 years, famous for its rich beef pho broth and special pate chaud (savory pastry). Pho Minh is only open in the morning and usually closes quite early when they run out of food, so come early to not miss the opportunity to enjoy this famous pho dish.
Despite the rise of fine dining, street food still dominates Vietnam's largest city
Besides Pho Minh, District 1 also has many other attractive street food spots. Bep Me In on Le Thanh Ton Street is also a restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide. Although not exactly a traditional street food stall, Bep Me In still serves many Saigon street food dishes at affordable prices, especially famous for its crispy banh xeo. Xoi Ga Number One near Ben Thanh Market is also a must-visit address if you want to enjoy delicious chicken sticky rice and corn sticky rice.
Must-Try Saigon Street Food Dishes
Saigon is not short of attractive street food dishes, each with its own unique flavor. Here are a few suggestions for delicious dishes you must try when you come to Saigon:
- Pho: The national dish of Vietnam, Saigon pho has a different flavor compared to Hanoi pho. Saigon pho broth is usually sweet and rich, with many different types of beef to choose from. Don’t forget to order pate chaud, a special pastry only available at some long-standing pho restaurants in Saigon.
- Banh Mi: Saigon banh mi is world-famous for its crispy crust, soft and airy interior, and diverse fillings, from cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage, pate, shumai, to shredded chicken, canned fish… Each banh mi is a quick, convenient, and nutritious meal.
- Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli Noodles with Grilled Pork): A familiar dish of Saigon people, bun thit nuong is attractive for its fragrant grilled pork, served with fresh vermicelli noodles, raw vegetables, pickled vegetables, and sweet and sour fish sauce.
- Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls): A light, fresh dish, goi cuon is a harmonious combination of shrimp, meat, raw vegetables, fresh vermicelli noodles, wrapped in a thin rice paper. This dish is usually dipped in hoisin sauce or fermented fish sauce.
- Banh Xeo (Crispy Pancake): Saigon banh xeo is large in size, with a crispy crust, and a generous filling of shrimp, meat, and bean sprouts. Banh xeo is usually served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce.
- Hu Tieu (Rice Noodle Soup): Saigon hu tieu has many types such as Hu Tieu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh-style rice noodle soup), Hu Tieu My Tho (My Tho-style rice noodle soup), Hu Tieu Go (cart-style rice noodle soup)… Each type has its own unique flavor, but all are attractive for their chewy noodles, rich broth, and diverse toppings.
- Xoi (Sticky Rice): Xoi is a popular breakfast dish in Saigon. Saigon xoi has many types such as savory sticky rice, sweet sticky rice, chicken sticky rice, corn sticky rice… Xoi Ga Number One is a famous place to enjoy delicious sticky rice in Saigon.
Tips for Saigon Street Food Tourism
To have a complete and safe Saigon street food experience, you need to pay attention to a few things:
- Choose reputable, crowded eateries: Crowded eateries are often those with delicious and hygienic food. You can refer to online reviews or ask locals to find good eateries.
- Observe the processing process: Observe how vendors prepare food to ensure food safety and hygiene. Choose stalls with clean processing procedures and fresh ingredients.
- Ask for the price before eating: To avoid being “ripped off,” ask for the price before ordering. Street food prices in Saigon are usually quite affordable, you can check prices online beforehand or ask locals.
- Bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Personal hygiene is very important when eating street food. Bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer to keep yourself clean.
- Drink bottled water: You should drink bottled water or boiled and cooled water to ensure hygiene and safety.
- Try many different dishes: Don’t be afraid to try new and unique dishes that you have never tried before. Saigon street food is very diverse and rich, explore and experience it to the fullest.
- Be careful with traffic: Saigon streets are very crowded with traffic, be careful when moving on the road, especially when crossing the street.
Since implementing zoned sidewalk usage fees, Saigon's pavements are more spacious and less chaotic.
One notable point is that Saigon’s sidewalks are being increasingly planned and managed more strictly. The collection of sidewalk usage fees has helped sidewalks become more airy and cleaner, creating favorable conditions for pedestrians and tourists to explore street food. You can comfortably stroll on the sidewalks and enjoy delicious food without worrying about sidewalk and street encroachment like before.
Venturing Beyond Saigon: Exploring Street Food Across Vietnam
Street food is not only a specialty of Saigon. Across Vietnam, each province and city has unique street food dishes, imbued with local flavors.
- Hanoi: The thousand-year-old capital is famous for Hanoi pho, bun cha, bun dau mam tom (vermicelli noodles with fried tofu and shrimp paste), com (young sticky rice), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls)… Hanoi street food carries the delicate, elegant features of the North.
- Hue: The ancient capital of Hue is a paradise for bun dishes such as bun bo Hue, bun hen (mussel vermicelli soup), bun thit nuong… In addition, Hue is also famous for cakes such as banh khoai (Hue crispy pancake), banh beo (water fern cake), banh nam (flat steamed rice dumpling)… Hue cuisine carries a royal style, sophisticated and elaborate.
- Hoi An: The ancient town of Hoi An attracts tourists with cao lau, mi Quang, com ga (chicken rice), banh bao banh vac (white rose dumplings)… Hoi An cuisine is a cultural intersection between Vietnam, China, and Japan, creating unique and attractive dishes.
Wherever you are in Vietnam, be bold to step out onto the streets and explore the colorful and flavorful world of street food. Each dish is a story, a cultural feature, a part of the local people’s memories.
Conclusion
Vietnamese street food tourism is an unmissable experience for anyone who loves food and wants to explore Vietnamese culture in the most authentic way. From familiar dishes like pho, banh mi, bun cha, to unique local specialties, Vietnamese street food will conquer you with its delicious flavors, diversity, and affordable prices. Prepare yourself to get lost in the world of Vietnamese street food and bring back unforgettable culinary memories.