5 Must-taste Dishes Only Have in Vietnam

As being a small but colorful country in SouthEast Asia, beside the fascinating history, culture and architecture, Vietnam has a lot to offer travelers. One thing you should not miss out when it comes to Vietnam travel is, certainly, the unique cuisine.

Featured a tropical climate, Vietnam has abundant choices of cooking ingredients: from fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, beans to exceptional pork, chicken and other kind of meats; and food ranges widely from typical street food in small vendors to gourmet dishes in luxury restaurants. Especially, street food has become part of Vietnam’s culinary culture, which, in some way, is the most appealing reasons for tourists to give this beautiful country a visit. Look no further, here are 5 Vietnamese must-taste dishes you should try any time you can!

1. Pho - The Authentic Vietnamese Noodle Soup

The authentic beef noodle soup

Pho is a traditional as well as exceptional dish originated in the North of Vietnam. It is truly an art of flavors: to serve you with a hot and tasty bowl of Pho, they need over 10 different spices for the soup. All about flavor, and full of flavor. Some prefers Pho Bo (beef noodle soup), and some just gets addicted to Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup).

Pho can be served well in both street vendors and some haute restaurants. A good address of your choice might be Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, nestled on the corner of Ly Quoc Su St. in the Old Quarter. Price ranges around VND 40,000 to VND 60,000 per bowl.

2. Bun Nem - The Wonderful Fried Springroll

Bun Nem in traditional restaurant

When being asked about the most favorite dishes in Vietnam, approximately 60% of foreign visitors admit that it is Nem. As also being one of the most well-known dishes and exclusive in the country, every Vietnamese family has Nem on Tet holiday, and it has become a lifelong custom. The distinctive flavor of chopped meats such as pork, chicken, mushrooms and shredded carrots along with dipping sauce and bun (rice noodle) make an incredible taste.

Best places to get a real Nem for yourselves can be any restaurant in town! But to savor the most, take a look at Quan Ngon, 34 Phan Dinh Phung St. Just less than VND 100,000 for a delicious meal.

3. Bun Cha - King of the Grilled Pork

Grilled pork with bamboo stick

If you once tried Bun Cha - grilled pork with rice noodle and special fish sauce, there could be a glow on your face any later time you talk about it! Much like Bun Nem, Bun Cha is also considered a signature dish of Hanoi. The scrumptious grilled meatballs with special spices mixed will not let you down. They will only grill it when you order, so it is always hot and fresh.

Experience this great dish at Bun Cha Hang Manh on Hang Manh St., they have been the master of Bun Cha for decades. A set of Bun Cha costs you around VND 50,000.

Check out more: 10 things you should do when traveling to Vietnam!

4. Banh Xeo - The Intriguing Vietnamese Pancake

The appealing yellow of Banh Xeo

The idea of sitting down at a corner of the street, watching the bustling pace of life, and enjoying a piece of Banh Xeo is truly perfect. Not like any pancake you’ve ever try: not sweet like French crepe, not crunchy like Mexican-style taco or burritos, not thick and plain like the Indian Nan; Banh Xeo is at the same time smooth and crispy, and compiles all things you need for a nutritious brunch: shrimp, pork, onion, normally served with a worth of herbs and deep sauce. With only one bite, you‘ll quite be deep in that unique taste. 

The favorite local address for Banh Xeo is 16 Hang Bong St. It only opens til 15:00, so run for the flavor! 

5. Xoi - The Ultimate Sticky Rice 

Xoi xeo ga - Green bean sticky rice with chicken

Every Vietnamese family has Xoi in their house’s altar when it comes to a special day like worshiping the ancestors, or Tet holiday. In other words, Xoi is the traditional and authentic dish of Vietnam. It is also served in various types: the white sticky rice (Xoi Trang) with roasted pork/ chicken/ sausage/ fried egg (omelet); the green bean sticky rice (Xoi Xeo) with deep fried slices of onion; the black bean sticky rice with sesame salt, the coconut sticky rice, etc. 

A famous place to try a bowl of Xoi might be Xoi Yen, 35B Nguyen Huu Huan St.

10 Things You Must Do Once in Vietnam

Vietnam is quite possibly a spectacular travel destination if you know it right. At some points, travelers love the fact that Vietnam never leaves them with a lack of activities to do next. Here are the top 10 things you’d better do during your stay in Vietnam. Check it out! 

1. Take a cyclo trip around the chaotic Hanoi 

A short cyclo trip around the city

Have you ever taken a cyclo around the intriguing Hanoi? It will be a perfect way to see the pace of life in this bustling city. During your trip, you can have a glimpse of the crowded streets, the narrow alleys, the busy atmosphere of a pre-metropolitan, and its people. It might just cost you 2-3 USD/ 1 hour. 

2. Eat the scrumptious Pho 

The authentic beef noodle soup - Pho bo

Vietnam is widely known for its abundant and colorful cuisines which caught the eyes of a vast number of travelers. One we can name here is Pho - a must-taste dish you should not miss in your life if you have one foot on Vietnam. Pho is quite prevalent in Hanoi and always charismatic for anyone who has given it a try. Its taste won’t do you any wrong. Its taste might make you stay. 

3. Cruise in the wonderful Halong Bay 

Cruise around the exotic Halong Bay

You might hear about Halong Bay - a World Natural Heritage site which is famous for its incredible landscape with tremendous caves and islets. Relaxing on a cruise wandering around the most exotic corner of the bay and the surrounding area, you can catch all the gorgeous views, all while enjoying your time with friends and family. 

4. Trek at the amazing Sapa 

Stunning Sapa in yellow

Sapa is an all-time fantastic place for trekking. The yellow terraced fields, the colorful hill tribes cultivating on the mountain, the lush paths… you will see all those things on the way passing through the ethnic people’s village and experiencing every amazing route. You can also enjoy homestay to live like a local for few days. That could be one of a kind! 

5. Homestay in ethnic family 

Homestay in Mai Chau

This is an exhilarating activity you can take part in when you visit places in the north region of Vietnam like Sapa, Ha Giang, Cao Bang etc. Staying, eating, talking all in their house like a truly member of their family. It absolutely brings you an unforgettable experience and get to know more about unique ethnic minority culture. 

6. Jeep crawling in Mui Ne Sand dunes 

Jeep heads to Mui Ne sand hills (sources: 24 hours in Mui Ne)

Taking in the gorgeous views of White sand hill and Red sand hill stretching along to the horizon is best done by jeep. You can choose to head out on a guided tour, or rent your own Jeep to start the adventure your own. Along the way, you will immerse in cool breeze, fresh air and the salty flavor of the sea. 

7. Swim in the gorgeous Son Tra beach 

Son Tra viewed from Hai Van Pass

If you want to spend your summer vacation in a romantic place with blue water, white sand, then walk on Son Tra beach, Da Nang. Once you’re here, you might be blown away because of its phenomeno view and more than that, people here are amazing. Whenever you go, you will see Da Nang people with a big smile and treat you as if you are their family. The cost there is extremely cheap. There is no room for any trick or cheat. 

8. Join Floating markets in Mekong River Delta 

Floating markets in Can Tho

Ummm hello, fun! What’s better than sitting on a river boat to a fascinating floating market ? Known as Western region of Vietnam, Mekong River Delta is where most of Vietnam’s rice grown with unique floating market you might have never seen elsewhere, fruit orchards, fishes, national parks and pagodas. Joining floating market, you have a chance to discover the river-culture and meeting up with friendly local people in a green, lush place on earth. 

9. Having meal in Vietnamese family 

Meal at a friend's home (sources: 24 hours in Mui Ne)

Having meal with a local Vietnamese family is definitely an interesting experience - not just because of the amazing food. You will feel a little bit weird to use chopsticks to pick up the food, but when you try, you will certainly like it. Virtually, Vietnamese host is hospitable, so they may invite you some cups of beer. Wait for that! 

10. Speak Vietnamese 

A clip for Danish people to learn basic Vietnamese (sources: Vietnam Rejser)

Language is seemingly always vibrant and new once you visit a country. Vietnamese is much like that, even it’s on top of one of the most difficult languages to learn. Naturally, it will take you quite a long time to get used to, then you might feel a deep sense of excitement to say a full sentence: Toi yeu Viet Nam.