Vietnamese dishes

Vietnam is a beautiful country known for its rich cultural diversity and vibrant culinary heritage. Renowned internationally, Vietnamese cuisine delights food lovers with its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and harmonious balance of textures. Whether enjoyed on bustling street corners or in elegant restaurants, these dishes offer a true taste of Vietnam’s soul.

Top 5 Vietnamese rice-based meals to taste

Rice is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, taking on many delicious forms from region to region – from fragrant steamed rice to tasty sticky rice dishes.

Banh chung/ Banh tet

Banh chung and Banh tet are traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cakes, especially popular during the Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations. Banh Chung is square-shaped and originates from the North, symbolizing the Earth, while Banh Tet is cylindrical and common in the South, representing the sky. Both are made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in green leaves and boiled for hours, delivering a savory, comforting taste deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture.

Com tam

Com tam (broken rice) is a beloved Southern Vietnamese dish made from fractured rice grains, giving it a unique texture. It’s typically served with grilled pork (suon nuong), shredded pork skin, a fried egg, and pickled vegetables. Accompanied by a savory and sweet fish sauce dressing (nuoc cham), com tam offers a delicious balance of flavors and textures that make it a must-try comfort food in Vietnam.

Com hen (Baby clam rice)

Originating from the imperial city of Hue in Central Vietnam, Com Hen is a humble yet flavorful dish made with baby clams, served over cold rice and topped with crispy pork skin, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and a medley of herbs. It’s typically accompanied by a small bowl of clam broth and a spoonful of fermented shrimp paste (mam ruoc), creating a bold, savory, and slightly spicy flavor that reflects the unique culinary identity of Hue.

Grilled chicken with com lam

Grilled chicken with com lam is a traditional Vietnamese dish from the northern highlands. It pairs flavorful grilled chicken with com lam – sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes over an open flame. The smoky aroma of the bamboo rice perfectly complements the tender, marinated chicken, offering a unique and authentic taste of Vietnam’s mountainous regions.
Famous Street Food in Vietnam.

Xoi ngu sac

Xoi ngu sac (Five-color sticky rice) is a vibrant and festive dish mainly found in the northern and central regions. The sticky rice is naturally dyed with colors from various leaves and flowers, symbolizing happiness and good luck. It’s often served during special occasions and celebrations.

Top 9 must-try Vietnamese noodle soups

Vietnam is famous for its rich and flavorful noodle soups, each reflecting the unique culture and taste of its region.

Pho

Pho is a famous noodle soup from the North, particularly Hanoi, featuring an aromatic broth, flat rice noodles, and tender beef or chicken. It is typically served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili, adding a bright and flavorful touch.

Bun cha

Bun Cha is a beloved dish from Hanoi, featuring grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly served in a bowl of sweet-savory fish sauce broth. It comes with rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and garlic-chili condiments on the side. This flavorful combination creates a balanced and aromatic meal that perfectly represents Northern Vietnamese cuisine.

Bun dau mam tom

Bun Dau Mam Tom is a unique and flavorful dish from Northern Vietnam, especially popular in Hanoi. It features rice vermicelli (bun), crispy fried tofu, slices of boiled pork, and a variety of fresh herbs, all served with a bold fermented shrimp paste dipping sauce (mam tom). This dish offers a true taste of traditional Vietnamese street food – fragrant, vibrant, and not for the faint of heart!

Bun rieu

Bun Rieu is a flavorful Vietnamese noodle soup made with thin rice vermicelli and a tangy tomato-based broth. It’s traditionally topped with crab or shrimp paste, fried tofu, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and occasionally blood pudding or snails, depending on the region. This dish is loved for its rich umami flavor, slight sourness, and aromatic freshness, making it a comforting and uniquely Vietnamese meal.

Banh da cua

A specialty from Hai Phong, this noodle soup features wide, chewy red rice noodles served in a rich crab-based broth. It’s typically topped with freshwater crab meat, fried shallots, water spinach, and sometimes fish cakes or tofu, offering a deeply savory and earthy flavor.

Banh canh

Bánh Canh is a hearty Vietnamese noodle soup featuring thick, chewy noodles similar to udon. Depending on the region, it’s topped with ingredients like crab, fish cakes, squid cakes, jellyfish, or pork hock. With its flavorful broth and satisfying texture, Banh Canh is a beloved comfort food across Vietnam.

Bun bo Hue

Bun Bo Hue is a spicy and flavorful beef noodle soup from Hue, known for its rich broth, lemongrass fragrance, and a mix of beef cuts.

Cao lau

Cao Lau is a specialty of Hoi An, combining chewy noodles, sliced pork, fresh herbs, and crispy croutons in a light savory broth.

Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a traditional noodle dish from Quang Nam Province in Central Vietnam, especially popular in Da Nang and Hoi An. It features wide rice noodles topped with shrimp, pork, or chicken, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and crispy rice crackers, all served in a small amount of savory turmeric-flavored broth. Mi Quang is known for its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and beautiful balance of textures.

Famous Vietnamese foods by region

Vietnam’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its geography. Each region — from the mountainous North to the vibrant Central coast and the lush South — offers unique flavors and traditional dishes that reflect local culture and ingredients.

Ha Long fried squid

Ha Long Fried Squid, locally known as Cha Muc, is a famous delicacy from the coastal city of Ha Long in northern Vietnam. This dish is made from freshly caught squid, hand-pounded to maintain its chewy texture, then seasoned and deep-fried until golden and fragrant. It’s typically enjoyed with sticky rice or plain rice and beloved for its savory, slightly sweet flavor and springy bite.

Smoked buffalo meat

Smoked Buffalo Meat, or Thit Trau Gac Bep, is a traditional specialty of Vietnam’s mountainous northern regions, particularly among ethnic minority groups like the Thai and H’Mong. Strips of buffalo meat are marinated with local spices such as chili, ginger, and mắc khén (a native pepper), then slowly smoked over a wood fire for several days. The result is a deeply flavorful, slightly spicy dried meat with a smoky aroma that captures the essence of Vietnam’s highland culture.

Cha ca la vong

A signature dish from Hanoi, Cha Ca La Vong features marinated fish fillets seasoned with turmeric, galangal, and fish sauce, grilled and then pan-fried with abundant fresh dill and green onions. Served sizzling hot with vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, and shrimp paste or fish sauce, it delivers a rich, aromatic flavor unique to Northern Vietnam.

Nem chua Thanh Hoa

Nem Chua from Thanh Hoa is a beloved Northern specialty made from fermented pork, giving it a tangy, slightly spicy flavor. Wrapped in banana leaves and often served with garlic and chili, it’s a unique combination of sourness, chewiness, and aroma.

Nem chua Phu Tho

Phu Tho’s version of Nem Chua is milder in flavor, featuring tender fermented pork wrapped in leaves like guava or fig. It’s less sour than the Thanh Hoa style but equally enjoyable as a snack or festive treat.

Nem nuong Nha Trang

Nem Nuong, or grilled pork rolls from Nha Trang, is a Central Vietnam favorite. The savory grilled meat is served with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, rice paper, and a rich dipping sauce made from peanuts and pork liver — a true explosion of flavor in every bite.

Khau nhuc (Steamed pork belly with herbs)

A traditional dish from the northern mountainous regions, especially Lang Son and Cao Bang, Khau Nhuc features layers of pork belly slowly steamed with herbs, fermented tofu, and five-spice powder. The meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, making it a staple during festivals and family gatherings among ethnic groups like the Tay and Nung.

Thang co (Traditional horse meat stew)

Originating from the H’mong people in the Northwest highlands, especially Sapa and Ha Giang, Thang Co is a hearty stew made with horse meat, offal, and a mix of unique mountain spices. Often served at local markets and cultural festivals, it offers a bold, earthy flavor that reflects the spirit and tradition of Vietnam’s highland communities.

Ninh Binh mountain goat

This regional specialty features goat meat raised on the rocky mountains of Ninh Binh, known for its firm texture and rich flavor. It is often steamed, grilled, or stir-fried with lemongrass, served with a side of fresh herbs and fermented soybean sauce (tuong ban), creating a dish full of earthy and savory notes.

7 Vietnamese street foods to try like a local

Vietnam’s vibrant street food culture is an essential part of daily life. If you’re a true food lover, you simply can’t miss the incredible variety of street eats found throughout the country.

Banh mi

A popular Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette, filled with flavorful ingredients like pâté, sliced pork or egg, pickled vegetables, cucumber, fresh herbs, and chili.

Banh xeo

A crispy Vietnamese savory pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, typically wrapped in fresh herbs and lettuce, then dipped in a tangy fish sauce. It’s crunchy, fragrant, and full of flavor.

Nem lui

Grilled lemongrass pork skewers from Central Vietnam are often served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and a rich peanut dipping sauce. A fun and flavorful hands-on dish.

Banh bot loc

A traditional Vietnamese chewy tapioca dumpling filled with shrimp and pork, wrapped in translucent dough, then steamed or boiled. It’s typically served with scallion oil and fish sauce, offering a unique blend of sweet-savory flavors and a springy texture.

Boiled snails

A popular street food dish where various types of snails are boiled with lemongrass and served with spicy, tangy dipping sauce. A fun and flavorful finger food.

Grilled egg cups

A popular Vietnamese street food made by grilling small cups of beaten egg topped with scallions, dried shrimp, sausage, and sometimes cheese or butter. Finished with a touch of mayo and chili sauce, this savory snack is rich, flavorful, and loved for its smoky aroma and crispy edges.

Vietnamese grilled rice paper

Often dubbed the “Vietnamese pizza,” this crunchy street snack is made by grilling rice paper over charcoal and topping it with ingredients like quail eggs, dried shrimp, green onions, sausage, and chili sauce. Crispy, savory, and full of flavor, it’s a must-try treat for street food lovers.

Popular Vietnamese desserts you must try

Vietnamese desserts are irresistibly delicious – sweet, creamy, refreshing, and full of flavor. A perfect way to end any meal.

Che

Vietnamese Sweet Soups (Che) are a delightful part of the country’s dessert culture. These colorful and refreshing treats come in countless variations, often combining ingredients like beans, sticky rice, jellies, fruits, coconut milk, and crushed ice. Whether served hot or cold, chè offers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making it a must-try for those looking to experience the comforting and playful side of Vietnamese cuisine.

Coconut ice cream

Coconut Ice Cream is a beloved Vietnamese dessert, especially popular in the South. It’s creamy coconut-flavored ice cream served in a coconut shell, topped with roasted peanuts, shredded coconut, sticky rice, and sometimes dried fruits or wafers. Refreshing and rich in tropical flavor, it’s the perfect treat to cool down on a hot day.

Tao pho

Tao pho is light, silky, and melts in your mouth. The gentle sweetness of the syrup, combined with the warm hint of ginger, creates a delicate and comforting flavor. Simple, yet surprisingly satisfying.

Banh da lon

Banh da lon is soft, chewy, and lightly sweet with the gentle aroma of pandan and mung beans. Its smooth, colorful layers make each bite playful and satisfying. A humble dessert with a charming appeal.

Kem xoi

Kem xoi is a unique Vietnamese dessert that pairs fragrant pandan sticky rice with rich, creamy coconut ice cream. The chewy warmth of the rice contrasts beautifully with the cold sweetness of the ice cream, creating a delightful and memorable treat.

Kem bo

Kem bo is a smooth and creamy avocado dessert blended with coconut ice cream or condensed milk. Rich yet refreshing, it offers a naturally buttery flavor with just the right sweetness – simple, but irresistibly satisfying.

Sua chua nep cam

Sua chua nep cam is a refreshing dessert that pairs tangy yogurt with chewy, nutty black sticky rice. It’s light, creamy, and perfectly balanced – an ideal treat to cleanse the palate and cool down.

Exploring Vietnamese cuisine is more than just tasting food – it’s experiencing a rich cultural journey full of history, passion, and creativity. Whether you’re savoring a simple street snack or a carefully crafted dish, each bite tells a story. Enjoy the flavors of these dishes for a perfect and unforgettable experience in this beautiful country.

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam and find it challenging to organize your itinerary, don’t hesitate to contact Style Travel for expert advice and support. As a trusted international travel company with years of experience and native guides, Style Travel is the choice you can’t miss. We are confident in delivering you an unforgettable journey filled with authentic experiences and personalized service.