Cà phê sữa đáMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Strong, dark roasted Vietnamese coffee brewed with a phin filter, served over ice with sweetened condensed milk for a rich, sweet treat.
Clarin (CC BY 2.5
Vietnam Food: 20 Dishes to Try
Every dish ranked by how essential it is — must-try picks first, with photos and what’s actually in them.
Bún Bò HuếMust-try
Meat · Lunch
A spicy, sour, and savory beef noodle soup with thick vermicelli, beef shank, pork hock, and congealed pig blood, characteristic of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
Kham Tran - www.khamtran.com (CC BY 3.0
Gỏi CuốnMust-try
Meat · Snack
Fresh, uncooked spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork, and an abundance of fresh herbs, typically served with a peanut dipping sauce.
CC BY 2.0
Nem Rán (Hanoi Fried Spring Rolls)Must-try
Meat · Snack · Lunch · Dinner
While ubiquitous, Hanoi's version of crispy fried spring rolls, filled with minced pork, seafood, and vegetables, is a beloved appetizer or side dish.
Jame Healy (CC BY-SA 2.0
Mì QuảngMust-try
Meat · Breakfast · Lunch
Turmeric-infused flat rice noodles with a small amount of rich, savory broth, served with various proteins like shrimp and pork, peanuts, and a large grilled rice cracker.
Gary Stevens (CC BY 2.0
Chả Cá Lã VọngMust-try
Meat · Dinner · Lunch
A unique Hanoi dining experience involving turmeric-marinated fish, traditionally cooked sizzling at your table with generous amounts of dill, spring onions, and served with vermicelli.
tuhang (CC BY-SA 4.0
Bún ThangMust-try
Meat · Lunch
An elaborate and elegant Hanoi rice vermicelli soup, distinguished by its clear, rich broth and a vibrant array of toppings like shredded chicken, fried egg, and Vietnamese ham.
Nguyễn Thanh Quang (CC BY-SA 3.0
Bún Thịt NướngMust-try
Lunch · Dinner
A refreshing bowl of vermicelli noodles topped with flavorful grilled marinated pork, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and a sweet-savory nuoc cham dressing.
Lưu Ly (Public domain
Bánh Mì Ốp LaMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch
A French baguette filled with fried eggs, fresh herbs, cucumber, chili, and soy sauce, a simple yet perfect breakfast.
nsaum75¡שיחת! (CC BY-SA 3.0
Bún ChảMust-try
Meat · Lunch
A Hanoi lunch staple, it consists of grilled pork patties and slices served in a sweet-sour dipping broth with vermicelli noodles and a generous plate of fresh herbs.
stuart_spivack (CC BY 2.0
Café Sữa ĐáMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Snack
Robust Vietnamese dark roast coffee brewed with a phin filter, slowly dripping over sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice for a refreshing kick.
Chả Giò (Nem Rán) (Fried Spring Rolls)Must-try
Crispy deep-fried rolls filled with seasoned ground pork, shrimp, glass noodles, and vegetables, served with a sweet and sour fish sauce.
Donna Benjamin (CC BY-SA 2.0
ChèMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
A versatile Vietnamese dessert beverage with countless variations, often featuring sweetened beans, jellies, fruits, and creamy coconut milk, served either chilled or warm.
Zxcvasdfqwer888 (CC BY-SA 3.0
Nem nướng (Grilled Pork Skewers)Must-try
Meat · Snack · Dinner
Flavorful grilled pork patties, often served with vermicelli, fresh herbs, rice paper, and a rich dipping sauce for DIY rolling.
Buihaidang192 (CC BY-SA 4.0
PhởMust-try
Meat · Breakfast
The national dish of Vietnam, a deeply aromatic beef or chicken noodle soup served with a generous plate of fresh herbs, lime, and chili for personal customization.
SerraKnightz (CC BY 4.0
Phở BòMust-try
Lunch · Dinner
The quintessential Vietnamese beef noodle soup, often eaten for breakfast, with a clear, fragrant broth simmered with spices and served with fresh herbs.
SerraKnightz (CC BY 4.0
Phở Bò (Beef Noodle Soup)Must-try
Meat · Breakfast
Hanoi-style pho features a clear, deeply aromatic beef broth simmered for hours, thin slices of beef, and fresh herbs, distinctly different from southern Vietnamese pho.
Andy Li (CC0
Phở Bò (Beef Pho)Must-try
Lunch · Dinner
The national dish, a fragrant beef broth simmered for hours with rice noodles, tender beef slices, and fresh herbs; the Hanoi version is less sweet than Southern styles.
SerraKnightz (CC BY 4.0
Trái câyMust-try
Vegan · Snack
Experience the abundance of fresh, tropical fruits like sweet mangoes and juicy pineapples, especially prominent in the Mekong Delta.
Pamputt (CC BY-SA 4.0
Banh La MyWorth a taste
Breakfast · Snack · Lunch
Steamed rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, filled with pork and shrimp — a rustic, flavorful snack found in local markets.
3268zauber (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.