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Street foods in Vietnam are more than just a list of typical Vietnamese meals sold on the streets; they also convey the beauty of the Vietnamese people's culture, lifestyle, feelings, and thoughts. Here are some of the best Vietnamese street foods that you should not miss on your trip to Vietnam.

Bun Cha - Grilled Pork Noodle Soup

Bun Cha originated in Hanoi, the birthplace of Vietnamese cuisine. The dish is a local favorite for a light and pleasant lunch. Bun Cha is a rice vermicelli dish topped with grilled pork belly, meatballs, fresh herbs, and a bowl of sweet-savory fish sauce with pickles. It sounds so simple, but when all of the ingredients come together, the meal may enchant anybody who tries it for the first time. That is the key to Hanoian cuisine's international popularity. Even President Barack Obama, who was visiting Vietnam, had to take a few minutes out of his hectic schedule to eat some Bun Cha. Why don't you?

Pho - Rice Noodle Soup

What list of street foods in Vietnam would be complete without Pho? Pho is one of the two most well-known traditional Vietnamese dishes, having been featured in the Oxford Dictionary due to its popularity not just in Vietnam but also in many other countries. This is a Vietnamese soup made with broth, rice noodles (bánh phở), herbs, and meat - generally beef, but occasionally chicken, duck, or goose, depending on the visitors. The rice noodles used in this dish are not the same as the ones used in Bun Cha; they're flatter and bigger.

Banh Mi Vietnam

Along with Pho, Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, known as Banh Mi, are gaining popularity across the world. The originality of Banh Mi resides not only in the light and crispy baguette but also in the range of Vietnamese Banh Mi tastes to bring out the most wonderful sensations.

This baguette sandwich with greens and a variety of toppings, including pâté and freshly prepared omelet, is so wonderful that it's been copied all over the world. Chefs in the north keep to the fundamentals of carbohydrates, fat, and protein—bread, margarine, and pate—but in the south, your banh mi may have a more colorful blend of cheese, cold cuts, sausage, fried eggs, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and chili sauce.

Xoi - Sticky Rice

Xoi, a traditional Vietnamese dish, can be easily found at street vendors in the morning. In Vietnam, sticky rice is a common breakfast item that provides you with a boost of added energy. Originally, the dish only included steamed sticky rice that was colored by turmeric, fried shallots, and some mung bean paste. Nowadays, Xoi is offered with diverse types of meat, sausages, and eggs.  

Goi Cuon - Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

Goi Cuon, one of the must-try street foods in Vietnam, is very light and healthy. This dish is made with salad greens, a slither of meat or seafood, and a layer of coriander. All are neatly rolled in transparent rice paper and dipped in Vietnam's favorite condiment - fish sauce. Goi Cuon has a very fresh and nutritious taste, and you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight.

Che (Vietnamese sweet desert soup)

Vietnamese food is famous all over the world, from substantial bowls of Pho to flavorful Banh Mi, but the distinctive dessert recipes are kept a secret. And the most popular dessert in Vietnam is a sweet soup called Che, which is made with several types of beans, rice flour, coconut, and cornstarch. There are hundreds of different types of Che waiting for you to come to enjoy them. 

Ca Phe Trung - Egg Coffee

Egg Coffee was invented over a century ago by a Barrista working at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi. This coffee, made with egg yolk, coffee, condensed milk, and cinnamon powder, is more of a dessert than a drink. Egg Coffee is so creamy, sweet, and aromatic that it could be the greatest drink in Vietnam.

Banh Trang Nuong - Grilled Rice Paper

Banh Trang Nuong (also known as Vietnamese Pizza), is a new creation of street vendors by grilling a piece of rice paper and filling it with eggs, sausage, beef jerky, fried shallot, scallion oil, cheese, chili sauce, and mayonnaise. The dish is so crispy, full of flavor, and rich in all ingredients that make you addicted to it right after the first bite.

Banh Xeo - Crispy Vietnamese Crepe

Banh Xeo literally means sizzling cake in English due to the noise when cooking. This pancake is a  combination of crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. To taste Banh Xeo in an authentic way, wrap a piece in a lettuce leaf with some fresh herbs, dip it into a bowl of the sweet-savory fish sauce and take a big bite. This is the ideal snack for a hot summer afternoon.

Com ga Hoi An

Com Ga Hoi An, or Hoi An chicken rice is a distinctive cuisine of the residents of Hoi An, a  peaceful ancient town in the heart of Vietnam. The rice is seasoned with chicken broth, like with other chicken rice in Singapore or Malaysia, but at some places, Com Ga additionally includes a trace of turmeric in the rice, making it slightly brighter yellow than other chicken rice in the region. Of course, fresh greens and herbs are offered on the side. This gives the meal a fresh, healthy, and Vietnamese flavor. Don't forget to try it when you visit Vietnam.

These are just the 10 best-rated street foods in Vietnam that you should try when traveling here. If you wander around, you will see something even more fascinating. Let Viland Travel help you plan a wonderful vacation with the most unique culinary experiences in the S-shaped country!

Vietnam, shaped like an S—long and narrow—offers a diverse range of adventures and landscapes, including megacities, white sand beaches, jade-green paddy fields, and soaring limestone peaks. In addition, the country has a wide range of regional specialties. The following list of the top 8 must-dos in Vietnam will inspire you to plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip and help you decide what to include on your Vietnam bucket list.

 

Enjoy the richness and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine.

Vietnamese cuisine is well-known throughout the world. I assume everyone has heard of Pho, right? When you visit Vietnam, the first thing on the top 8 must-do lists is to participate in a street food tour. It is among the best methods for learning about a nation's culture. The three largest cities in this nation to take food tours are Hanoi, Hoian, and Ho Chi Minh City. You will have the chance to observe and converse with locals during the tour to learn more about local culture and Vietnamese cuisine. If you book local professional tour guides, they will take you to locations that are not listed in any books. 

In Hanoi, you can try Pho noodles, unique egg coffee, and local Bia; in Hoian, Banh Mi sandwiches, Mot drink, and Quang noodles; and in Ho Chi Minh City, broken rice and Hu Tieu Nam Vang. Vietnamese food is inexpensive and delicious, so don't pass up the opportunity to try it while you're here. Hanoi is not only the best place to go on a food tour but also a commercial, cultural, and political capital.

Learn about the unique cultures of the world heritage sites.

It's a regrettable thing to skip Hue during your vacation in Vietnam. Vietnam’s former capital, Hue, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most enjoyable activities in central Vietnam.

In Hue, there are numerous tourist attractions such as pagodas, tombs, and palaces. The most famous is Hue Imperial Citadel, which was the "house" of the Nguyen Royal Family, Vietnam's last dynasty. An impressive moat filled with water lilies surrounds the citadel grounds. Inside the citadel, you can walk around and admire various buildings in their original, restored, and damaged stages; carved gates; royal pavilions; the Flag Tower, and Royal Antiquities museums. If you like Vietnamese costumes, there is a photo opportunity where you can dress up like a king or queen.

 

Admire the breathtaking mountain landscapes 

The Trang An landscape complex is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam to admire the breathtaking mountain landscapes. This 6226-ha site, located in the south of Ninh Binh province and only 90 kilometers from Hanoi, is mostly flooded with rice fields. Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was officially recognized as a Vietnamese landscape by UNESCO on June 25, 2014, based on three criteria: culture, beauty, and aesthetics, as well as geology and geomorphology. This is one of the few places on the planet where the natural landscape has remained untouched for 30,000 years. Trang An, with its long history and culture, possesses lyrical beauty and becomes the place where ancient sediments intersect with the Vietnamese people's wet rice civilization.

Of our top 8 must-dos in Vietnam, we highly recommend that Trang An is best visited between January and March since it is in springtime that brings a cool climate as well as plenty of green plants, which makes it ideal for viewing the majestic natural scenery here. This is also the season for many festivals in Trang An, the most notable of which is the festival for peace at Bai Dinh pagoda. The lotus season in Trang An blooms from April to June; during this time, there is little rain here, which will fascinate you at first sight. Ripe rice season lasts from May to August, and Trang An is surprisingly beautiful. This is the best time to go on a cruise to see Trang An Mountain and take many beautiful pictures with no filter needed.

Discover the magnificence of cave systems & Karst Terrain

Located in Halong City, Halong Bay has been designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site twice for its geology and geomorphology. As a result, visitors to Halong Bay should not pass up the opportunity to explore the grotto system there.

Halong Bay has many caves and islands due to its Karst terrain. These caves are a popular stop on the way to Halong Bay. Tourists are well-versed in some famous caves, such as the "Dau Go" cave, "Thien Cung" cave, and "Sung Sot" cave... The magical world of stalactites and stalagmites in various sizes and shapes will undoubtedly awe all visitors to the Creator's magnificent masterpieces.

Experience the chaos and grace of riding a motorbike

For any traveler who visits big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, observing millions of motorbikes hustle on the streets during rush hours is an amazing and photography-worthy experience. But what makes riding motorcycles in Vietnam both horrific and adventurous at the same time is how it's systematically chaotic. You will see people riding on the wrong side of the road and in the wrong direction, motorbikes driving down the sidewalks, and riders who just don’t give a damn about traffic lights. You will also find yourself freaking out when walking across the street since no motorbike looks like it will stop to let you through. 

With your trip while traveling and the assistance of the motorcycle, you will undoubtedly have more opportunities to meet with locals. They could be a street vendor, a police officer, or just a random person you ask for directions from on the street. In contrast to the scammers or agents who try to sell you their services, you will discover how genuine and helpful these people are. You can also talk to them and listen to their stories, which will provide you with new perspectives on local life and culture. That is why we have included motorbike riding as one of the top 8 must-dos in Vietnam for you.

Visit the beautiful countryside & encounter locals.

Sapa and the Mekong Delta are the two most well-known places to explore the countryside. Sapa is renowned for having some of Asia's most beautiful rice terraces. Sapa trekking is the best way to discover them. The Mekong Delta is also known as Vietnam's rice bowl. It is the most remote region, with many rice fields and fruit orchards. There are various ways to investigate them. Boat trips are among the most popular, but biking and hiking tours through the countryside are also enjoyable ways to explore the area. 

In Hoi An, agriculture tours are the most popular. The countryside is only a 10-minute bike ride from this atmospheric old city. The rice fields are not as beautiful as those in northern Vietnam, but everything is much more accessible here. You don't have to travel far to enjoy some very enjoyable countryside and agricultural tours. You can, for example, learn to work in the fields and ride a buffalo.

Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Su Phi, and Bac Son Valley also have the most beautiful countryside tours. These destinations are off the beaten path and difficult to reach, so a countryside tour of these places will take you to the most authentic parts of Vietnam. Aside from stunning views, you'll learn more about local cultures, such as how minorities work in fields and how terraced rice fields are built. 

Relax on pristine beaches with warm waters and tropical breezes.

If you need to unwind, relaxing on some spectacular beaches in Nha Trang is one of the best options on our list of the top 8 must-dos in Vietnam. Nha Trang is a lovely coastal town with a white sand beach and clear blue water. The two most beautiful beaches in Nha Trang are Nha Trang Beach and Bai Dai Beach. Nha Trang beach is home to many luxury hotels and resorts where you can build some pretty sandcastles or lie on pristine beaches, watch magnificent sunsets, and sip a coconut drink while listening to the sound of waves.

Bai Dai Beach is one of Nha Trang's beautiful white sandy beaches. It is a long, smooth sand beach with coconut lines swaying in the wind where you can fully relax and watch activities such as tug of war, beach volleyball, or soccer.

 

Explore open-air markets & floating markets.

In Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a different world on the water. It is Vietnam's "rice bowl," with an incredible number of waterways. Floating houses, restaurants, and markets dot the rivers, canals, and streams of the Mekong Delta. Cai Rang, a floating market, is one of the largest wholesale floating markets in this region, selling a wide range of goods from fruits and vegetables to cosmetics, clothing, mobile cards, and gasoline...

When you visit this market early in the morning, you will not only be able to see colorful boats selling goods, but you will also have the opportunity to taste a variety of local fresh tropical fruits such as green mangos, pineapples, dragon fruits, oranges, coconuts, durians, etc., or enjoy the hot dishes served on the sampans. A bowl of traditional Crap Noodles, BBQ pork noodles, or even Banh Mi has a distinct Mekong flavor. The Cai Rang Floating Market opens early in the morning, so it's best to book a two-day, one-night Mekong Delta tour that includes an overnight stay in Can Tho province, followed by a visit to the market the next day.

If you are planning a trip to this beautiful country, here are some activities on the top 8 must-do lists in Vietnam. If you are unsure about which destination to choose, you can consult Viland Travel (PERFECT VIETNAM VACATION ) for more schedules or destinations. 

Street foods in Vietnam are more than just a list of typical Vietnamese meals sold on the streets; they also convey the beauty of the Vietnamese people's culture, lifestyle, feelings, and thoughts. Here are some of the best dishes you should not miss on your trip to Vietnam.

Bun Cha - Grilled Pork Noodle Soup

Bun Cha originated in Hanoi, the birthplace of Vietnamese cuisine. The dish is a local favorite for a light and pleasant lunch. Bun Cha is a rice vermicelli dish topped with grilled pork belly, meatballs, fresh herbs, and a bowl of sweet-savory fish sauce with pickles. It sounds simple, but when all the ingredients come together, the meal may enchant anybody who tries it for the first time. That is the key to Hanoian cuisine's international popularity. Even President Barack Obama, who was visiting Vietnam, had to take a few minutes out of his hectic schedule to eat some Bun Cha. Why don't you?

Pho - Rice Noodle Soup

What list of street foods in Vietnam would be complete without Pho? Pho is one of the two most well-known traditional Vietnamese dishes, featured in the Oxford Dictionary as its popularity spreads widely throughout countries. It is a Vietnamese soup made with broth, rice noodles (bánh phở), herbs, and meat - generally beef, but occasionally chicken, duck, or goose, depending on the visitors. The rice noodles used in this dish are not the same as the ones used in Bun Cha; they're flatter and bigger.

Banh Mi Vietnam

Along with Pho, Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, known as Banh Mi, are becoming more and more prevalent. The originality of Banh Mi resides not only in the light and crispy baguette but also in the range of Vietnamese Banh Mi tastes to bring out the most extraordinary sensations. 

This baguette sandwich with greens and a variety of toppings, including pâté and freshly prepared omelet, is so pleasant that it is replicated all over the world. Chefs in the north keep to the fundamentals of carbohydrates, fat, and protein—bread, margarine, and pate—but in the south, your banh mi may have a more colorful blend of cheese, cold cuts, sausage, fried eggs, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and chili sauce.

Xoi - Sticky Rice

Xoi, a traditional Vietnamese dish, can be easily found at street vendors in the morning. In Vietnam, sticky rice is a common breakfast item that provides you with a boost of added energy. The dish initially included only steamed sticky rice colored by turmeric, fried shallots, and some mung bean paste. Nowadays, Xoi consists of diverse types of meat, sausages, and eggs.

Goi Cuon - Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

Goi Cuon, one of the must-try street foods in Vietnam, is very light and healthy. This dish contains salad greens, a slither of meat or seafood, and a layer of coriander. All are neatly rolled in transparent rice paper and dipped in Vietnam's favorite condiment - fish sauce. Goi Cuon tastes fresh and nutritious, and you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight.

Che (Vietnamese sweet soup)

Vietnamese cuisine is astonishing by its far-famed taste, from substantial bowls of Pho to flavorful Banh Mi, and it's impossible to mention the distinctive dessert recipes. On top of that is a sweet soup called Che—a perfect combination of beans, rice flour, coconut, and cornstarch. There are hundreds of different types of Che waiting for you. Come and enjoy them!

Ca Phe Trung - Egg Coffee

Egg Coffee was invented over a century ago by a barista working at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi. This coffee, made with an egg yolk, coffee, condensed milk, and cinnamon powder, is more of a dessert than a drink. Egg Coffee is so creamy, sweet, and aromatic that it could be the best drink in Vietnam.

Banh Trang Nuong - Grilled Rice Paper

Banh Trang Nuong (also known as Vietnamese Pizza) is a new creation of street vendors by grilling a piece of rice paper and filling it with eggs, sausage, beef jerky, fried shallot, scallion oil, cheese, chili sauce, and mayonnaise. The dish is so crispy, full of flavor, and rich in all the ingredients that make you addicted to it right after the first bite.

Banh Xeo - Crispy Vietnamese Crepe

Banh Xeo means sizzling cake in English due to the noise it makes when cooking. This pancake consists of crispy crepes bulging with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. To taste Banh Xeo authentically, wrap a piece in a lettuce leaf with some fresh herbs, dip it into a bowl of the sweet-savory fish sauce and take a big bite. It is an ideal snack for a hot summer afternoon.

Com ga Hoi An

Hoi An chicken rice is a distinctive cuisine of the residents of Hoi An, a peaceful ancient town in the heart of Vietnam. The rice is prepared with chicken broth, like other chicken rice in Singapore or Malaysia. However, in some places, Com Ga additionally includes a trace of turmeric in the rice, making it slightly brighter yellow than other chicken rice in the region. Of course, fresh greens and herbs are added on the side, giving the dish a healthy and uniquely Vietnamese flavor. Don't forget to try it when you visit Vietnam.

These are just the 10 best-rated street foods in Vietnam that you should try when traveling here. If you wander around, you will see something even more fascinating. Let Viland Travel help you plan a wonderful vacation with the most extraordinary culinary experiences in the S-shaped country!

 

Meeting and becoming acquainted with people of various ethnic groups, as well as discovering their own attractions in the culture and language of the ethnic groups, is one of the highlights that contribute to the allure of the majestic Northwest mountains. In Vietnam, settled ethnic groups have been around for thousands of years, while other ethnic groups have migrated in the last century. Despite their ethnicity, these people are quite friendly, open, and eager to give you handicrafts made by their skilled hands.

Ethnic community in Northwest of Vietnam

The Thai Group

With over 1 million people living, the Thai ethnic group settled down mainly in provinces such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai and scattered in some northern mountainous provinces. The Thai people also have other names called Tay with many small groups of Tay Dam, Tay Khao, Tay Muoi, Tay Thanh, Hang Tong, Pu Thay, and Tho Da Bac. 

Thai people use a variety of languages and scripts. They have preserved many ancient Thai books that record the nation's history and love songs until the present day. Thai costumes, like those of other ethnic groups, frequently reveal their own cultural identity. Women's costumes typically include the following items: short tops, long dresses, skirts, scarves, hats, leggings, necklaces, and bracelets.

When it comes to cuisine, one of the more distinctive ingredients of the Thai people is sticky rice, which can be spotted in every meal of the Thai people. Besides, Com lam is also a specialty of the Thai ethnic group, often used on holidays, Tet holidays, or treating guests.

The Mong Group 

The Mong are a large ethnic group in northern Vietnam. The Mong people, along with 53 other ethnic groups, have always been a part of the great national unity bloc's unity and have contributed to enriching the culture of Vietnam's ethnic groups.

H'mong people include many branches: Hoa Mong, Black Hmong, and White Hmong living scattered throughout the Northwest mountains. 

The unique feature of the costumes of the Mong people is that they are quite eye-catching and colorful. If you have the opportunity to once set foot on the northwest land, it will not be difficult for visitors to see the image of girls in colorful scarves who are enthusiastically working.

The Muong Group

Along with 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Muong (also known as Mol, Mual, Moi) has a population of more than one million people. They have the same origin as the ancient Vietnamese, residing in many northern provinces, especially in Hoa Binh province. The cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group is associated with Hoa Binh culture, which was born more than ten thousand years ago.

The Muong ethnic people are well-known for their unique music, the songs and verses they tell are often strangely attractive to listeners.

The Dao Group

The Dao people are one of the most populous and unique ethnic groups, living mainly in the Northwest mountainous provinces like Sapa town. Red Dao women often wear very special costumes with red headscarves and many silver costumes.

The Dao people are famous for their diverse folk games including many different genres. There are ritual games such as exercises in the field, divination, and dancing; games for drinking such as finger pointing, and song answering, or games on Tet holiday such as catching rope with fingers, swinging, spinning, etc.

The Tay Group 

The Tay people were present in Vietnam very early, possibly from the second half of the first millennium BC. They have a tradition of water farming. In the past, they already knew how to do intensive farming and applied various irrigation methods in farming such as digging ditches, building troughs, and embankments, and making poles to collect water to irrigate the fields.

The Tay people have their own script as well as a long-preserved cultural tradition. They often live in lowland areas, fertile soil, and wear indigo-dyed clothing.

In short, ethnic groups in the Northwest are extremely rich and diverse. The features, customs, and habits of each group bring their own beauty that can attract many visitors to come here. If you are curious about ethnic communities in Northwest Vietnam, we do hope this blog can help you learn more.