Top Must-Try Dishes in Ho Chi Minh City: A Culinary Adventure Through Vietnam’s Vibrant Metropolis

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, is a dynamic blend of old and new. Towering skyscrapers rise above charming French colonial buildings and ancient pagodas, creating a vibrant urban landscape. This energetic city offers a full spectrum of experiences—from world-class museums and historic landmarks to sacred temples and bustling street food stalls. And when it comes to food, nothing speaks more about a country’s culture and charm.

Recently, over 104,000 public votes were collected for 10 categories in the “Ho Chi Minh City – 100 Interesting Things” campaign by the Department of Tourism. From that, here’s a list of the most iconic and delicious dishes you should try in Saigon. How many have you tasted?

1. Bánh Mì – The Vietnamese Baguette

A symbol of culinary diversity, bánh mì in Ho Chi Minh City comes in a wide variety of styles to suit every taste. Whether it’s shumai, roasted pork, shredded chicken, grilled beef, pork skin, or fish cake, each version reflects a different slice of Vietnamese flavor.

Look for legendary bakeries like Bay Ho, Hoa Ma, Huynh Hoa, Tang, Cu Ly, and Sau Le—some of which have been around for more than 50 years.

2. Bánh Tráng Trộn – Mixed Rice Paper Salad

More of a snack than a full meal, bánh tráng trộn is a flavorful mix of rice paper strips, shredded green mango, herbs, kumquat juice, Tay Ninh shrimp salt, fried shallots, peanuts, quail eggs, and beef jerky.

You’ll find this street snack all over Saigon, especially in youth-favorite areas like Turtle Lake, Nguyen Thuong Hien Street, September 23 Park, Ben Thanh Market, and the intersection of Nguyen Thai Hoc – Tran Hung Dao streets.

3. Bánh Xèo – Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes

Ho Chi Minh City offers both Central-style (small and crispy) and Southern-style (larger and fuller) versions of bánh xèo. The Central variety often includes green beans and seafood or pork, while the Southern style is packed with shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, and mung beans.

4. Bún Bò – Beef Vermicelli Noodles

There are two standout versions:

• Bún Bò Nam Bộ: A dry Southern-style noodle dish with stir-fried beef, herbs, and a spicy-sour fish sauce.

• Bún Bò Huế: A Central Vietnam specialty, this spicy, fragrant noodle soup comes with beef, pork sausage, and herbs in a rich, flavorful broth. It was famously praised by chef Anthony Bourdain.

5. Xôi – Vietnamese Sticky Rice

Xôi can be eaten at any time of day.

• Sweet sticky rice features ingredients like beans, corn, durian, or pandan. A favorite is corn sticky rice with grated coconut and peanuts.

• Savory sticky rice includes toppings like roasted pork, Chinese sausage, shredded chicken, quail eggs, or even savory cadé (custard made from coconut milk, egg, and sugar) wrapped in banana leaves.

6. Chè – Vietnamese Sweet Soup

Chè is a beloved dessert in Ho Chi Minh City with countless variations: lotus seed, black sesame, taro, corn, longan, and even ginseng or flan-style egg puddings.

Explore dessert heaven on Su Van Hanh Street where 16-cup dessert trays offer everything from banana chè to Ba Ba-style chè. Thai-style chè, rich with coconut and durian flavors, is also popular.

7. Cơm Tấm – Broken Rice with Grilled Pork

A Saigon staple, cơm tấm features broken rice grains topped with grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, pork patties, and a sweet-savory fish sauce. Served with cucumber, pickles, and sometimes a fried egg, it’s a beloved comfort food at any time of the day.

8. Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang – Phnom Penh Noodle Soup

Originally from Cambodia, hủ tiếu Nam Vang has been perfected in Ho Chi Minh City. This dish features chewy rice noodles in a rich, savory broth topped with shrimp, minced pork, quail eggs, and pork offal, often accompanied by crispy garlic and fresh herbs.

9. Ốc – Vietnamese Snail Dishes

A nighttime street food favorite, ốc refers to a variety of snail and shellfish dishes. Snails can be stir-fried, grilled, steamed, or cooked with tamarind or salted egg sauce. Don’t miss out on oysters, clams, squid, and even crabs at seafood stalls scattered across the city.

10. Phở – Vietnamese Noodle Soup

While phở originated in the North, it’s beloved in Saigon too.

• Northern-style pho: Clear, light broth with a focus on beef quality.

• Southern-style pho: Richer, slightly sweeter broth enhanced with grilled onions and spices, served with herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili sauce.