What makes Saigon street food unique?

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) street food is unique for its incredible variety, intense balance of fresh flavors (sweet, sour, salty, umami), and deeply immersive,,, raw,, and, authentic, cultural experience. It is defined by, fast, service, on, low, plastic stools, featuring a fusion of, , local, ingredients, with, French, and, Asian, influences.

What food is Saigon known for?

8 Saigon Foods & Drinks You Should Try

• Banh Mi. The ultimate sandwich! ...
• Nuoc Mia (Sugar Cane Juice) For a morning drink as you walk around exploring the city, try a Nuoc Mia, a fresh pressed sugar cane juice. ...
• Pho Bo. ...
• Bun Bo Hué ...
• Banh Xeo. ...
• Vietnamese Coffee. ...
• Bun Thai. ...
• Com Tam (Broken Rice)

What are some hidden gem street foods in Saigon?

Street Food and Local Stalls in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

• Banh beo from Nam Giao in Saigon.
• Banh Da Xuc Hen in all its delicious glory.
• Crabtastic.
• Banh cuon on the streets of Saigon.
• Fried mung bean cakes, available at Banh Cuon Tay Ho.
• Cutest chilli bottle in all of Saigon.

What is so special about Vietnamese food?

Traditional Vietnamese cooking has often been characterised as using fresh ingredients, not using much dairy or oil, having interesting textures, and making use of herbs and vegetables.

What kind of food is Saigon Alley?

Vietnamese Cuisine

Saigon Alley Food and Kitchen created a menu that stays true to the Vietnamese roots. Each of our dish offers a taste of Vietnam with an American flare that keeps customers coming back for more.

Discovering hidden gems of Ho Chi Minh City's food scene

What is the national dish of Saigon?

Pho is the national dish of Vietnam and is sold everywhere from nice restaurants to street corners where grandmothers set up makeshift kitchens. For this version, all of the components—noodles, beef brisket broth, herbs, chiles—are served separately.

Is it rude to not finish food in Vietnam?

Keep noises low and finish the food on your plate; wasting is impolite. Wait for the host or elderly to start eating and stay until most have finished. Avoid picking through shared dishes to choose your favorite piece, as it is considered rude.

What are the unspoken rules in Vietnam?

Unspoken rules in Vietnam emphasize respect, harmony, and modesty, requiring visitors to remove shoes indoors, dress conservatively (especially at religious sites), stay calm in public (avoiding loud confrontation), and show respect for elders. Key etiquette includes mastering chopsticks (don't pass food, stick them upright), accepting offers of food/drink gracefully, using both hands for transactions, and understanding that public affection is generally frowned upon.
 

Is it safe to eat street food in Vietnam for tourists?

Yes, millions of tourists eat Vietnamese street food safely every year. The key is choosing busy vendors with good hygiene practices and starting with fully cooked dishes. Taking basic precautions significantly reduces any risk.

What exactly is xôi?

Xôi (Vietnamese pronunciation: [soj˧˧]) is a traditional Vietnamese dish of sticky rice. Xôi. Xôi with boiled cassava, liquid fat and onion. Type. Cơm.

What is the purple food in Vietnam?

Canh Khoai Mỡ is an amazing, creamy, and comforting vietnamese soup made with yampi root also known as purple yam. This starchy and kinda slimy root vegetable makes the soup super delicious when cooked down and thickened and you can still taste bits of tender Khoai Mỡ in every bite.

What to avoid in Ho Chi Minh City?

Petty crime in Ho Chi Minh City

• Carry bags cross-body and on the side away from traffic.
• Keep phones and cameras secure when taking photos near the street.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery.
• Store passports and valuables in your hotel safe.

What is eaten for breakfast in Vietnam?

Top 20 Vietnamese Breakfast Dishes: What Locals Eat Every Morning

• Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)
• Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
• Xoi (Sticky Rice)
• Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)
• Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
• Banh Mi Op La (Fried Egg Sandwich)
• Hu Tieu (Rice Noodle Soup)
• Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Why is Saigon so famous?

A City Known for Its Energy and Endless Movement

Ho Chi Minh City—still commonly called Saigon—is famous for its nonstop energy. Motorbikes fill the streets, markets buzz from morning to night, and cafés overflow with locals enjoying rich Vietnamese coffee.

What does the pinky finger mean in Vietnam?

Point with your pinky finger

As in many places, it's rude to point with your index finger in Vietnam. To be polite, use your pinky finger when you want to point to something.

Is it okay to wear red in Vietnam?

Yes, red is considered lucky in Vietnamese culture and is perfectly acceptable to wear.

Do I flush toilet paper in Vietnam?

The golden rule in Vietnamese never flush toilet paper. Vietnam sewage system can handle it. Which is why so many toilets get locked.

What does 444 mean in Vietnam?

444 Angel Number Death

In certain cultures, the word for the number 4 and the word for death are surprisingly similar. "Four" in Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean all sound almost the same as the word "death." For this reason, the number 444 is sometimes seen as a not-so-positive thing.

Why do they always beep in Vietnam?

Understanding the use of the horn

Locals use noise instead of sight to signal their position on the road. When arriving in Vietnam, motorcycle horns' constant beeps is one of the first things you will notice. The horn is not a sign of aggression but a signal that you are here.

What does 9 mean in Vietnam?

For the Vietnamese, number 9 has been a symbol of kingship and royal power for generations. Modern Vietnamese are also always looking for and choosing items containing the number 9 with the expectation of a peaceful life, longevity, prosperity in business, and convenience in life.

How much is 1 pound to a dong?

£ 1 GBP = ₫ 35236.8239 VND

Last updated Monday, 19 January 2026 13:53. Rates shown are interbank rates. eurochange rates will differ.