7 Great Places to Visit in Vietnam for Foodies

When planning a trip to a country with a totally different culture, in addition to the attractive must-see destinations to put on the list, we must also find out about the cuisine because it also represents very different customs and way of life. As a country that is divided into 3 distinct regions, Vietnam offers us quite rich and diverse culinary experiments. With this article, we discover 7 Great Places to Visit in Vietnam for impressive Vietnamese culinary experiences.

I- The cuisine of Vietnam

1. General information

Vietnamese cuisine is as famous for its unique workmanship as it is for its special flavours. The famous travel website, The Travel ( of Canada), has just announced in 2022 a list of the top 10 countries with the most attractive cuisine in the world, among which Vietnam was honored to be ranked 5th for its unique cuisine, distinctive footprints and especially appreciated by international friends.

If you are a lover of gastronomic programs on television, surely the name Gordon Ramsay will be no stranger to you. In 2013, this famous chef took a trip to "discover and learn about" Vietnamese cuisine through the reality TV show "The Great Escape." Since, Gordon was completely won over by Vietnamese cuisine. He once said, "Thank God I wasn't born in Vietnam, I'm just a bad cook here."

Gordon Ramsay in Vietnam

2. Features of Vietnamese cuisine

Diversity and richness

The diversity of Vietnam's cuisine is demonstrated according to geography varying from the North to the South. In addition, that Vietnam is home to as many as 54 ethnic groups that each have distinct culinary specialties, makes a huge treasure trove of typical dishes in Vietnam.

Variety of dishes
 

Rich in flavor

"Nuoc mam"-Fish sauce is a typical tasting dish that is often added to dishes by Vietnamese people during processing, creating an irresistible flavour. In addition, each different dish comes with a suitable dipping sauce.

Ingredients used in Vietnamese cooking

Less fat

Vietnamese people really like vegetable dishes, fruits, so they are usually low in fat, do not use as much meat as Western countries, nor do they use as much fat as Chinese Vietnamese dishes.

Different types of wraps

Use of chopsticks

Like other Asian countries, the use of chopsticks when enjoying food is also a feature of Vietnamese culinary culture.

Delicious and healthy

Vietnamese cuisine is processed according to the principle of yin and yang balance, it is interesting. Welding ingredients will be combined with hot spices and vice versa, thus creating a delicious and healthy dish.

Healthy and delicious cooking

Collectivity

Collectivity is very evident in Vietnamese culinary culture. There is always a bowl of communal sauce on the Vietnamese rice tray or it is collected separately from that communal bowl.

Set menu

Unlike Westerners who eat each dish at a time,in Vietnam they serve all dishes on a tray at once.

Vietnamese daily meals

II- Top Places to Visit in Vietnam for Awesome Dining Experience

1. Hanoi: Traditional cuisine

For a long time, Hanoi has been known for its very rich traditional cuisine. Everywhere, visitors can find small restaurants on the streets, the stalls with the very good foods, colourful tropical fruits in the small markets. It is hard to distinguish which is the best dish in Hanoi among Pho, spring rolls, various kinds of Bun - rice vermicelli soup, Banh Cuon - steam cake, Banh Goi - pillow-shaped cake, Banh Tom,...

In Hanoi, visitors can also find various kinds of cafes with different recipes: the Ca phe trung - egg coffee, cafe with coconut milk, black cafe, cafe with green beans. Highly recommend them.

Fried fish - specialty of Hanoi

2. Mai Chau: The cuisine of the valley, of the North-Western mountain

The ethnic Thai cuisine is delicious and not so oily. You can taste freshwater fish dishes, Thai's secret roasted chicken, bamboo shoots, bamboo sticky rice. It was so delicious!

Thai people have an interesting schnapps that they drink together in a jar with straws.

Ruou can

3. Cao Bang - Bac Kan: cuisine with the scent of the North-East mountain

Exquisite cuisine with the scent of the mountain is a highlight of Cao Bang and Bac Kan. With the mountain blanket and forest of 90 percent of the total area, in these villages, we can enjoy many very specialties: the smoked sausages, the sticky rice Dam Deng with natural colours from herbs and vegetables, the Khau Nhuc - pork cooked in a very fussy way, smoked buffalo meat, many more.

Cao Bang sausages

4. Hue: the imperial kitchen

Hue's culinary culture attracts all visitors because of its delicious taste and complicated preparation. Unlike other regions, Hue's specialties have a spicy salty taste and are eaten with many herbs. Arriving in Hue, be sure to taste these specialties: typical Bun Bo Hue - the soup with vermicelli, Com Hen - vermicelli and rice with tiny mussels, and various kinds of cake: Banh Nam - Banh Khoai - Banh Ram It - Banh Beo.

Hue specialties

5. Hoi An: simply don't forget

Hoi An cuisine is also a very strong point of Vietnam which is a mixture of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. You can taste Cao Lau, Hoanh Thanh, Banh Vac - a type of dumpling, and also Banh Mi variations with the taste of Hoi An.

Chicken rice - specialty of Hoi An 

>>> See more Hoi An Cooking Tour & Thu Bon River Boat Trip - 01 Day

6. Saigon: a culinary interaction from many different countries

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) is not as rich in traditional dishes as other region, but you can find everything here, from Western to Oriental cuisine, from luxurious to simple street dishes, from popular restaurants to more peculiar restaurants (such as restaurant eating in the dark, or tasting dishes without knowing the menu). The richness, diversity and creativity of the culinary culture make tourists want to take a food tour right away.

In Sai Gon you can also have a good street food experience with Hu Tieu - noodles with broth and topping, Banh Canh, Banh Mi Saigon, Com Tam, Bot Chien - omelette, Pha Lau.

Culinary diversity of Sai Gon

7. Mekong Delta: the rustic cuisine 

The regional cuisine is totally based on the agricultural life on the rivers. Regional tasty dishes are simply authentic with local ingredients.

Specialties include savoury fish sauce (especially in An Giang, where there are many fishermen), Dien Dien flower hot pot and small fish from the river, Banh Xeo - crispy pancake, Stewed Fish, Fried Giant Gourami,...

Hotpot of the Dien Dien flowers & fish at the Mekong delta

Besides, the Mekong Delta is remembered for coconut-based specialties, especially in Ben Tre: Keo Dua - coconut candy, Banh Bo - a cake made from sago and coconut milk, Duong Dua - Coconut Worms, Banh Trang - rice paper with coconut milk,...

One cannot forget many kinds of delicious fruits in the Mekong River delta where the country's largest orchards are found. Being nourished by silt of the Mekong River, the fertile soil makes the fruits taste better and sweeter: rambutan, mangosteen, dragon fruit, pineapple, jackfruit, durian, pomelo, star apple, longan.

Tropical fruit in Vietnam

Above, we have listed top places to visit in Vietnam that will offer you the most interesting culinary experiences. Share with us other most interesting sites for food lovers in Vietnam that you have visited in the comments below.

>> Enjoy Vietnamese food while exploring Vietnam on a private guided tour

To see more about where to taste delicious Vietnamese cuisine:
>> Best Food in Hue : Exploring the Rich Flavorful Delights of Central Vietnam
>> Top 8 Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi that Locals Like
>> Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Saigon