20 Best Vietnamese Street Food Dishes to Try + Travel Guide to Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Vietnam (2025)

If there's one thing that defines Vietnam beyond its dramatic landscapes and warm hospitality — it’s the food. No visit is complete without devouring a bowl of pho by the roadside or enjoying fresh spring rolls in a bustling night market. The streets of Vietnam are a paradise for food lovers, and the variety is nothing short of spectacular.

In fact, some of the best Vietnamese street food is not found in restaurants but served on tiny stools by locals who have perfected their recipes over generations. It’s one of the purest ways to connect with the heart and culture of the country.

If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, make space in your itinerary (and stomach!) for this ultimate food journey. And once you're full, we’ll take you to the natural wonder of Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Vietnam, where caves, rivers, and mountains wait to be explored.

🍴 20 Best Vietnamese Street Food Dishes You Must Try

Whether you're in Hanoi, Saigon, Hue, or Da Nang, these dishes will be calling your name from every corner:

1. Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

The national obsession! Aromatic broth, tender beef or chicken, and rice noodles. Breakfast never tasted this soulful.

2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)

A crispy French-style baguette filled with pickled veggies, meats, pate, and herbs. East meets West in one bite.

3. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Rice paper rolls stuffed with shrimp, herbs, vermicelli, and served with peanut dipping sauce. Light, healthy, and refreshing.

4. Bún Chả

Grilled pork served over rice noodles with fresh herbs and fish sauce. Made famous worldwide when Obama tried it in Hanoi.

5. Bánh Xèo (Savoury Vietnamese Pancake)

Crispy yellow pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Wrap in lettuce, dip in sauce, repeat.

6. Cao Lầu

A Hoi An specialty with thick rice noodles, pork slices, herbs, and crispy croutons. Complex and comforting.

7. Bánh Tráng Nướng (Vietnamese Pizza)

A rice paper base grilled over coals and topped with eggs, sausage, and chilli. Crunchy, spicy street heaven.

8. Mì Quảng

Turmeric noodles with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, and crushed peanuts. A central Vietnam treasure.

9. Hủ Tiếu

A lighter noodle soup with a clear broth, often served with seafood or pork. Great morning starter.

10. Chả Cá (Grilled Fish with Dill)

A Hanoi delicacy of turmeric-marinated fish served with noodles and loads of herbs.

11. Xôi (Sticky Rice)

Savory or sweet, this dish is topped with anything from mung beans and shredded chicken to coconut and sesame.

12. Nem Rán / Chả Giò (Fried Spring Rolls)

Crispy, golden, and irresistible — especially dipped in spicy fish sauce.

13. Bò Lá Lốt

Grilled beef wrapped in wild betel leaves. Smoky, aromatic, and a perfect bite-sized delight.

14. Ốc (Snails)

A fun and popular street snack, usually stir-fried with lemongrass and chilli. Adventurous and tasty!

15. Trà Đá & Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Okay, not a dish, but iced jasmine tea and strong drip coffee with condensed milk are essential fuel for food hopping.

16. Hột Vịt Lộn (Fertilized Duck Egg)

Not for the faint-hearted but considered a delicacy. Surprisingly delicious once you get past the idea.

17. Chè (Vietnamese Dessert Soup)

Colorful, sweet, and refreshing. Can include beans, jelly, coconut milk, and fruit.

18. Bánh Bao

Steamed buns filled with minced pork, mushrooms, and quail egg. A filling snack any time of day.

19. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)

Usually topped with grilled pork, egg, and fish sauce. A Saigon favorite.

20. Bánh Cam

Fried glutinous rice balls with sweet mung bean filling and sesame coating. Crunchy outside, gooey inside.

🌍 Where to Eat?

Hanoi Old Quarter: For Pho, Bun Cha, and egg coffee

Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City: Street-style everything

Hoi An Night Market: Try Cao Lau and Banh Xeo

Hue: For central delicacies like Bun Bo Hue

Da Nang Beach Streets: Seafood heaven

📍 Food Tips for Travelers

Don’t be afraid of tiny plastic stools — that’s where magic happens

Watch where locals queue — it's a good sign

Ask for “Ít cay” if you can’t handle spice

Always carry some cash — many vendors don’t accept cards

Eat hot, fresh, and avoid raw items if you're unsure about hygiene

🏞️ Now Let’s Digest: Travel to Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Vietnam

Once your food tour winds down, it’s time to burn some calories — and there’s no better place than Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Vietnam. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a jaw-dropping natural wonder with over 300 caves, dramatic karst mountains, underground rivers, and hidden jungles.

📍 Where is Phong Nha-Ke Bang?

Located in Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam, near the Laos border. It’s roughly 500 km south of Hanoi and 250 km north of Hue.

🗺️ How to Get There

By Train: Dong Hoi is the nearest station (45 km away)

By Flight: Nearest airport is Dong Hoi Airport (frequent flights from Hanoi and Saigon)

By Road: Buses run from Hue, Da Nang, and Hanoi

🌄 What to See and Do in Phong Nha-Ke Bang

1. Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave)

One of the longest dry caves in Asia — its surreal rock formations will leave you speechless.

2. Phong Nha Cave

Enter by boat via the Son River. Stunning interiors, lit pathways, and centuries-old formations.

3. Dark Cave (Hang Toi)

Adventure alert! Ziplining, mud baths, and swimming in pitch-black cave chambers.

4. Son Doong Cave

The world’s largest cave (entry by permit only). Requires a multi-day expedition — life-changing for serious adventurers.

5. Botanical Garden & Waterfalls

Great for light hiking and relaxing in nature.

6. Hang En Cave

Second largest in Vietnam — camp overnight inside for a true explorer experience.

🛌 Where to Stay in Phong Nha

Easy Tiger Hostel: Backpacker vibes, live music, community dinners

Phong Nha Farmstay: Rustic charm, rice field views

Victory Road Villas: Mid-luxury with river views

Jungle Boss Homestay: Perfect for cave trekkers and climbers

🧭 Best Time to Visit Phong Nha

February to August is ideal — dry, sunny, and perfect for exploring

Avoid September–November as heavy rains can close caves

April–June is best for photographers and outdoor lovers

✈️ Combining Food & Nature on Your Trip to Vietnam

Imagine this: Starting your day with hot pho in Hanoi, cruising on a motorbike through coastal villages, sipping iced coffee by a beach shack, and then hiking into the depths of a cave that feels like another planet. That's Vietnam for you — a country that feeds your senses, soul, and spirit.

🙌 Final Thoughts

Vietnam doesn’t just offer travel experiences — it offers transformation. From its bustling street food stalls to the awe-inspiring silence of underground caves, every moment is packed with depth, flavour, and wonder.

So whether you’re hungry for discovery or just hungry for banh mi, let your next trip to Vietnam be about tasting life to the fullest.