20 Famous Vietnamese Foods You Must Try

Northern Vietnam – Light, Fragrant, and Balanced Cuisine

1. Pho – Vietnam’s Most Famous Noodle Soup

Pho isn’t just a dish – it’s the most famous Vietnamese food and an emblem of the nation. Originally from Hanoi, it consists of a simple broth with soft rice noodles and fine slices of beef or chicken. The northern pho is popular with the sort of clean and understated flavors, far removed from the cloying sweetness or fiery spicing available in the south or indeed the center. Pho exists everywhere in Vietnam and yet, it is really only in its north-of-Hanoi version that true excellence is found.

2. Bun Cha – A Famous Food in Hanoi

The famous food in Hanoi contains ingredients such as smoky grilled pork, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables paired together in a flavor. This food has gained more international fame after President Obama appeared having a meal of bun cha along with Anthony Bourdain, which he scurried in the heart of Hanoi, yet it already was a local favorite for many years.

3. Banh Cuon – Delicate Northern Rolls

These thin, steamed rice flour sheets are filled with minced pork and mushrooms, topped with fried shallots, and served with light dipping sauce. A typical northern breakfast, banh cuon reflects the region’s preference for soft textures and balanced, nuanced seasoning - a popular dish in Vietnam that locals love for its simplicity.

4. Xoi – Sticky Rice, Sweet or Savory

Xoi or sticky rice is a type of food that is a staple in Vietnamese homes from the north, and it is combined with numerous ingredients like mung beans, shredded chicken, or fried shallots for salted varieties and coconut and sesame for sweet flavors. Whether savory or sweet, the hearty, adaptable xoi is a common breakfast and snack in Vietnamese culinary culture.

5. Nem Ran/ Cha Gio – Fried Spring Rolls

Called nem ran in the North and cha gio in the South, these crispy rolls carry inside them minced pork, noodles, and wood ear mushrooms. Deep-fried to a crisp gold and served with fish sauce, these belong to the repertoire of the traditional famous dishes in Vietnam offered at family meals, festivals, as well as on street food stalls.

6. Thit Trau Gac Bep – Smoked Buffalo Meat

Marinated buffalo meat is a Highland specialty of Ha Giang and Son La provinces, which is then smoked over burning firewood. Chewy, smoky, and proteins embody the once-rural tradition that has turned into famous cuisine in modern Vietnam and can now be found in numerous specialty restaurants.

Central Vietnam – Rich Spices and Imperial Heritage

7. Bun Bo Hue – Hue’s Signature Spicy Noodle Soup

Unlike Pho, it’s some bold, spicy Lemongrass-flavored broth served with beef, pork hock, and thick noodles. One of the signature Vietnamese food dishes from Central Vietnam, it pretty much represents the imperial roots of Hue great intense layered flavors.

8. Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Legendary Noodle Dish

Thick noodles, sometimes called ‘pasta’ due to their similarity to Italy’s, are made from milling the local ‘Lanh My’ rice variety that's soaked in clean water from an age-old Hoi An well. Served with BBQ pork, fresh herbs and rice crackers, it’s one of Vietnam’s most famous enigmas and flavors which is originating from the UNESCO town of Hoi An.

9. Com Ga – Vietnamese Chicken Rice

In Hoi An, chicken rice is taken to another level — turmeric-stained rice, shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and chili sauce. It’s comforting, flavorful, and a popular dish in Vietnam’s central region for both locals and travelers.

10. Sup Luon – Eel Soup from Nghe An

The broth is traditional eel soup that has a rich flavor, with a good dose of pepper and is often served with banh mi or banh muot. This might not ring a bell worldwide, but in the locality, sup luon is known as one of the sought after Vietnamese food dishes for its comforting warmth and good-for-the-body properties.

11. Banh Xeo – Crispy Pancakes

Banh xeo – sizzling pancakes filled with pork and shrimp, bean sprouts. The north’s version is smaller and crispier than its southern relative, to be eaten wrapped in greens and dipped in sauce — a ‘regional’ cousin to much the same dish known throughout Vietnam.

12. Mi Quang – Golden Noodles of Quang Nam

This vibrant noodle dish features turmeric noodles, pork, shrimp, roasted peanuts, and a splash of rich broth. Topped with herbs and rice crackers, mi Quang is a beloved famous Vietnamese food representing Quang Nam province’s culinary identity.

13. Nom Hoa Chuoi – Banana Blossom Salad

Banana blossom salad is a simple, refreshing, and crunchy mix of shredded blossom with herbs, chili, and lime, garnished with peanuts. Usually served with shrimp or chicken, the dish is widely acclaimed and specifically so in vegetarian and coastal menus in Vietnam.

Southern Vietnam – Bold, Sweet, and Full of Energy

14. Banh Mi – The World-Famous Vietnamese Baguette

Though pho may be Vietnam’s most iconic soup, banh mi is arguably its most well-known street food. While it exists nationwide, southern Vietnam — particularly Saigon — is home to the most famous versions. With fillings ranging from grilled pork and eggs to tofu and pate, this famous Vietnamese food is a perfect fusion of French and local ingredients.

15. Hu Tieu – Southern Breakfast Favorite

This noodle soup is made with pork bone broth, shrimp, minced pork, and quail eggs. Lighter and slightly sweeter than pho, hu tieu is a famous dish in Vietnam’s southern cities, where it’s a staple breakfast.

16. Com Tam – Broken Rice with Grilled Pork

Com tam originated from leftover broken rice grains but has become a beloved Saigon staple. Served with grilled pork, egg, pickles, and scallion oil, it’s a famous Vietnamese food that speaks to street food culture and resilience.

17. Goi Cuon – Fresh Spring Rolls

Fresh and light and healthy all at once, goi cuon is shrimp, pork, vermicelli, and herbs rolled in rice paper, often served with peanut-hoisin sauce – a refreshing summer’s day dish that’s popular throughout Vietnam and especially in the hot south.

18. Nom Sua – Jellyfish Salad

Popular in coastal towns like Nha Trang, this salad combines sliced jellyfish, herbs, garlic, vinegar, and chili. With a slightly crunchy texture and cooling flavor, it’s a unique famous Vietnamese food found along the southern shores.

19. Che – Vietnamese Sweet Soup

Che includes a wide range of sweet desserts made with beans, jellies, coconut milk, and tropical fruits. While available throughout Vietnam, the southern versions — often served with ice and extra coconut milk — are the most colorful and indulgent. It’s one of the most popular food in Vietnam for dessert lovers.

20. Bun Rieu – Crab and Tomato Noodle Soup

Hearty soup with crab paste, tomatoes, tofu, and herbs – more often than not with a sharpish finish. Full of flavor and umami, bun rieu is this hearty-enough-at-times and quite satisfying signature Vietnamese dish that stands for Southern coastal flavors.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a humble bowl of sticky rice or a fragrant dish of chili noodles, Vietnamese food is more than just a meal - it’s a reflection of history, culture, and generations of family tradition. Every dish tells a story, capturing the spirit of the land and the people who call it home. So as you explore Vietnam’s most iconic cuisine, don’t just eat — take a moment to savor the meaning behind each flavor.

Curious about where to try these famous dishes? We’ve put together a guide to help you find the best local spots across the country - check it out here.