Local Cuisine in Vietnam: An Expat’s Guide

Published on May 4, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Diving into the Vietnamese culinary universe is to treat yourself to a unique sensory journey where every bite tells a story rich in traditions and flavors. From fragrant pho to crispy spring rolls, and including savory banh mi, the local gastronomy never ceases to amaze the taste buds of expatriates in search of authenticity.

Drawing on varied influences, from the northern mountains to the southern plains, this cuisine offers a palette of tastes and aromas that promise to surprise and delight those who dare to venture into it.

Whether you have just arrived or are a long-time resident, this culinary guide will accompany you in discovering the hidden gems of Vietnamese cuisine and savoring the true essence of Vietnam.

The Treasures of Vietnamese Markets

Vietnamese markets offer a unique and vibrant experience for expatriates, allowing them to discover local culture and immerse themselves in the daily lifestyle of the Vietnamese. These markets are often called wet markets due to the constant humidity from vendors regularly washing their fresh produce.

Types of Products Available

Vietnamese markets are overflowing with exotic fruits like rambutans, mangoes, and longans. Aromatic herbs such as basil, cilantro, and lemongrass are also abundant. The fresh fish stalls offer a wide variety of seafood, ranging from river fish to shellfish like shrimp and oysters.

Popular Markets

• Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh Market is one of the most famous, offering a wide variety of food and non-food products. Tan Dinh Market is renowned for its fabrics and local products.
• Hanoi: Dong Xuan Market is known for its clothing and souvenirs, while Long Bien Market specializes in fresh produce and flowers.

Street Food Stalls

Street food stalls are a distinctive feature of Vietnamese markets. You can find traditional dishes like phở, bún riêu, and bún bò Huế. The stalls also offer Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) and local drinks like Vietnamese coffee and iced tea.

Interaction with Local Vendors

Markets are an excellent opportunity for expatriates to familiarize themselves with traditional Vietnamese ingredients and interact with local vendors. This allows them to discover cultural practices and share experiences with the local community.

Cultural Practices to Respect

To fully enjoy the market experience, it is important to respect certain cultural practices:

• Negotiate prices with a smile and politeness.
• Try local dishes to show your appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine.
• Respect the vendors by not touching products without intending to buy.

Best Times to Visit

To avoid crowds and get the freshest deals, it is advisable to visit the markets:

• Early in the morning, when the products are freshest.
• Late in the afternoon, to take advantage of the last deals of the day.

Comparative Table of Markets

Market	Specialty	Opening Hours
Ben Thanh	Food and non-food	6 AM – 7 PM
Tan Dinh	Fabrics and local products	6 AM – 6 PM
Dong Xuan	Clothing and souvenirs	6 AM – 7 PM
Long Bien	Fresh produce and flowers	5 AM – 6 PM

By exploring these markets, expatriates can have an authentic and enriching experience, combining culture, cuisine, and local interaction.

Traditional Restaurants to Discover

Vietnamese cuisine is distinguished by its generous use of fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil, mint, scallions), fragrant broth bases (lemongrass, ginger, star anise), and varied cooking techniques: grilling (nướng), braising (kho), steaming (lụa), and frying (chiên). Dishes are often light, low in fat, and focus on the freshness of ingredients, diversity of textures, and balance of flavors.

Cooking Technique	Examples of Dishes	Specialty
Grill (nướng)	Bún chả, Nem, Chả cá La Vong	Smoky flavor, tender meat
Braise (kho)	Ca kho to, Bo kho	Concentrated, caramelized broth
Steam (lụa)	Bánh cuốn, Giò lụa	Soft texture, light
Fry (chiên)	Nem, Fried Chả lụa	Crispy, indulgent

Some Iconic Restaurants to Discover

• Cha Ca La Vong (Hanoi)
  Historic address dedicated to the famous Chả cá: turmeric and dill fried fish, served with rice noodles and fresh herbs. Founded over a century ago, this restaurant gave its name to the street where it is located. The atmosphere is typical, with wooden tables and a lively ambiance.
• Thanh Van Banh Cuon (Hanoi)
  Specializing in Bánh cuốn, steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and black mushrooms. The establishment is recognized for the fineness of its crepes and the quality of its aromatic herbs. Ideal for a local breakfast or lunch.
• Bún Chả Hương Liên (Hanoi)
  Famous for having hosted Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain. The Bún chả is served with grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, pickled vegetables, and a sweet and sour sauce. The atmosphere is friendly and authentic.
• Bánh cuốn Bà Hoành (Hanoi)
  A family institution known for the freshness of its ingredients and the generosity of its portions. A meeting place for locals and expatriates.

Signature Dishes Not to Miss

• Pho: rice noodle soup, beef or chicken, broth long-infused with spices and fresh herbs.
• Bánh mì: Vietnamese sandwich, a legacy of French colonization, filled with meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and sauces.
• Nem (Chả giò): fried rolls stuffed with pork, shrimp, eggs, mushrooms, and herbs.
• Ca kho to: caramelized fish braised in a Nuoc Mau sauce, served in a clay pot.

Anecdotes and Recommendations

• The Chả cá La Vong is such an iconic dish that the street where the restaurant is located bears its name.
• Bún chả is often eaten at noon, as charcoal grilling attracts gourmets at that time.
• Vietnamese people eat Bánh cuốn for breakfast, especially during lunar phases.
• Nem is a must-have for celebrations, with each region having its own variant.

Practical Tips for Expatriates

• Prefer off-peak hours (before 12 PM or after 1:30 PM for lunch, before 7 PM for dinner) to avoid crowds and better enjoy the atmosphere.
• To order in Vietnamese, it is often enough to say the name of the dish followed by “một phần” (one portion) or “hai phần” (two portions).
  Useful examples:
  • “Một phở bò, không hành” (one beef pho, no onion)
  • “Một bánh cuốn, thêm rau thơm” (one bánh cuốn, with extra fresh herbs)
• Do not hesitate to ask for “ít cay” (a little spicy) or “không cay” (not spicy) if you are wary of chili.

List of Useful Phrases

• Xin thêm rau thơm: Add fresh herbs
• Không nước mắm: Without fish sauce
• Cho tôi thực đơn: Give me the menu
• Cảm ơn: Thank you

The culinary diversity of Vietnam is best appreciated in its historic restaurants as well as its markets and street stalls.
Each meal is an experience where conviviality, freshness, and know-how come together to offer expatriates an authentic and flavorful immersion.

Culinary Trends and Innovations

Modern and global influences are integrating into traditional Vietnamese cuisine through a bold fusion of flavors and techniques: the revisited banh mi with Japanese or Mexican fillings, the modernized pho infused with Indian spices, and the new-generation spring rolls with unexpected ingredients embody this openness to the international while maintaining a strong local identity.

New-generation Vietnamese chefs play a driving role in this evolution. They reinvent iconic dishes using ancestral ingredients like lotus, Vietnamese seaweed, and black rice, while experimenting with innovative combinations such as seafood pho scented with kaffir lime or banh xeo made with whole wheat rice flour and lacquered duck. This creativity is also evident in the presence of luxury ingredients like caviar and activated charcoal in traditional recipes.

Examples of Innovative Dishes and Creative Chefs:

Revisited Dish	Innovative Technique/Ingredient	Notable Chef/Establishment
Seafood Pho	Kaffir lime broth, shrimp	Coco Dining (Saigon, Michelin-starred)
Fusion Banh mi	Teriyaki, guacamole fillings	Young chefs at Marriott hotels
Modern Banh xeo	Alternative flours, lacquered duck	Michelin selection (Hanoi, Da Nang)
New-Generation Spring Rolls	Asian mushrooms, soy cheese	Fusion restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Food Markets and Cooking Festivals

are essential showcases for promoting new trends. They allow chefs to experiment, present their creations, and interact with a curious public, fostering the emergence of innovative dishes and the democratization of atypical products. Culinary festivals, increasingly popular in major cities, highlight fusion food, rare local products, and awareness of sustainable gastronomy.

Impact of Social Media and Digital Platforms:

• Social media accelerates the spread of culinary trends. Photos of revisited dishes, food reviews, and videos of innovative chefs strongly influence local eating habits.
• Delivery platforms and mobile apps make vegetarian or fusion specialties accessible to a wider audience, while highlighting the creativity of Vietnamese restaurateurs.

Transformation of the Culinary Experience by Vegetarian and Vegan Demand:

• A notable growth in the number of restaurants offering vegetarian and vegan options, with original recipes based on local vegetables, seaweed, and protein substitutes (tofu, rare mushrooms).
• Traditional dishes are adapted to meet this demand, such as vegan pho, colorful vegetable banh bao, or meatless spring rolls.

Key Points of the Vegetarian/Vegan Revolution:

• Respect for flavors and culinary heritage
• Valorization of local and seasonal ingredients
• Creativity in combining textures and tastes

List of Major Culinary Trends in Vietnam in 2025:

• Return to ancestral ingredients (lotus, black rice, seaweed)
• Fusion food with Japanese, Mexican, Indian influences
• Use of luxury ingredients (caviar, activated charcoal)
• Innovative vegetarian and vegan dishes
• Promotion through festivals and social media
• Rise of sustainable cuisine and the “farm-to-table” concept

The Vietnamese culinary scene in 2025 embodies a synthesis between tradition and modernity, driven by the audacity of chefs, openness to global influences, and a dynamic adaptation to new consumption patterns.

Table Etiquette Rules in Vietnam

The meal holds a central place in Vietnamese culture: it is a privileged moment to strengthen family and social bonds, show respect for hierarchies, and share hospitality. Being invited to the table is an honor, and the attitude of the guests reflects respect for the family and the community.

Essential Principles for an Expatriate During a Meal in Vietnam:

• Wait for the host or the oldest person to start eating before touching the dishes.
• Take small portions and share the dishes placed in the center of the table.
• Respect the rules for using chopsticks, especially avoiding sticking them vertically into the rice bowl.
• Follow the codes related to drinks, especially during toasts and the serving of alcohol.

Aspect of Etiquette	Expected Practice	Example/Explanation
Hierarchy and Respect	The oldest person starts eating. Younger ones wait for their signal to begin.	During a family meal, children wait for the grandfather to pick up his chopsticks before serving themselves.
Sharing Dishes	Dishes are placed in the center of the table, everyone serves themselves in turn.	A bowl of rice is served to each person, then other dishes (meat, vegetables) are taken little by little.
Using Chopsticks	Do not stick chopsticks into the rice, do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick.	Sticking chopsticks upright in rice recalls funeral rites; placing food directly into the other person’s bowl is preferable.
Service and Politeness	Ask permission before leaving the table, thank for the meal, offer to serve again.	Say “cám ơn” (thank you) at the end of the meal, offer your bowl to the host for a second serving.
Drinks and Toasts	The serving of alcohol follows a precise order, clinking glasses together with the expression “một, hai, ba, dzô!”	During a toast, everyone raises their glass, says the phrase in unison, and drinks together.

Anecdotes and Practical Tips:

• During a traditional meal, it is common to politely say “mời cơm” (I invite you to eat) to the table, especially to the elders, before starting to eat.
• If you want to serve someone again, place the food directly into their bowl rather than handing it to them with your chopsticks.
• Chopsticks should always be placed on the chopstick rest or next to the bowl, never stuck into the food.
• If you are left-handed, discreetly inform your neighbors to avoid awkwardness when crossing arms around the central platter.
• During festive meals or dinners with friends, it is customary to toast several times. Everyone should ensure that the glass of the oldest person is slightly higher during the toast, as a sign of respect.
• It is good form to compliment the host’s cooking, even with a simple phrase like “rất ngon” (very good).

To Remember:

Respecting these etiquette rules shows your willingness to integrate and honor Vietnamese culture, while avoiding awkwardness that could be perceived as a lack of respect.