The Best Things to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City: A Saigonese's Guide

When hunting for Ho Chi Minh City's best food spots, location is absolutely key. Transportation around the sprawling cityscape via taxi or moped is cheap and easy, but because there is such a high concentration of amazing food in a few key neighborhoods, choosing the right hotel will really make your experience so much more convenient.

You've seen the street vendors all over social media: unassuming aunties in patterned pajamas putting together some of the most mouth watering banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), hu tieu (rice noodles in pork broth), or pho bo (rice noodles in oxtail soup) you've ever seen. So how do you know which ones you should visit?

A great starting point for simple street food is a food market, such as Tan Dinh, Ben Nghe, or Ben Thanh. Generally, these vendors will only sell one kind of item with slight variations. I would NOT recommend patronizing a restaurant or stall that proclaims to sell many varied items because they are unlikely to be good. Why is this? Vietnamese food usually requires specialized tools and equipment (think of banh xeo, a Vietnamese crepe), or a significant amount of time investment (a proper bowl of authentic pho should take 8+ HOURS to make). In general, any restaurant making things the "right" way will not have the capacity to make these many items correctly at all.

It helps to have an idea of what you want. Some people in Ho Chi Minh City speak English, but many don't. So, I would recommend you have a list (seriously- even in the Notes function in your phone) of the names of things you've researched and want to try, and/or photos. That way, you can point and ask where you might find particular items, and locals will be more than happy to help direct you to a stall.

For dietary restrictions, it is extremely important to research and validate first. Reach out directly to me if you want a list of Vegan/Vegetarian/Halal restaurants. Vietnamese cultural attitudes towards allergies and dietary restrictions are a little... fluid- they might not perceive a dietary restriction the same way we do, and think it is merely a request or "if you have it" sort of thing. So, I would recommend booking specifically at hotels who can accommodate these kinds of things (as a backup), and having a list of "safe" restaurants or "safe" foods already set up in your google maps.

My favorite "foodie" neighborhoods are District 1 (you should have fewer language barriers here) or District 3. I quite honestly feel like you can't go wrong with the food in the many small shops and restaurants nearby. My favorite food market is Tan Dinh. Everybody is familiar with pho, but the lesser known (and still obscenely dishes you MUST try are below. Reach out to me directly for my favorites for each):

• Banh Cuon (freshly rolled rice sheets, ground pork, wood ear mushroom, shallots)

• Com Tam/Thit Nuong Cha Gio (rice plate with a variety of items- pork cutlet, egg omelet, shredded beef, etc.)

• Mi Quang (Turmeric noodles, peanuts, toasted sesame rice crackers, chili peppers, lime)

• Hu Tieu (Uot or Kho) (thick rice noodles in pork-based soup)

• Goi ga xa lat (refreshing salad of hand-shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, onions and Vietnamese coriander; mixed with a sweet and savory fish sauce)

• Banh Xeo (Vietnamese egg-battered crepe with yellow bean, pork, and a variety of vegetables)

Location really is key when putting together the "best" food experience in Ho Chi Minh City. Proximity to local "food streets" and high-quality food areas is really key here. If you're in the right neighborhood, you can't go wrong- but a little preparation can really help you out as well. Most importantly, staying at a hotel that mixes comfort with local love for food can make or break a good vacation. My recommendations are here- reach out directly with any further questions or recommendations, I'm always happy to hear from you.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In need of further inspiration? Check out Holly Huff’s guide, 5 Day Itinerary for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.