Vietnamese Noodles: A Delicious Journey from North to South

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner — noodles are always a good idea in Vietnam. Whether steaming hot or refreshingly cold, stir-fried or swimming in fragrant broths, noodles are a staple of everyday life across the country. If you’re a foodie visiting Vietnam, get ready to fall in love. The Vietnamese noodle scene is a flavorful playground filled with time-honored recipes, unexpected textures, and unforgettable meals. Let’s explore the most popular types of noodles and the irresistible ways they’re served across Vietnam.

Top Vietnamese Noodle Types to Try

Phở – Flat Rice Noodles
A national icon, phở noodles are wide, flat, and made from rice. They’re best known in the famous phở bò (beef noodle soup) or phở gà (chicken noodle soup), often enjoyed for breakfast in Northern Vietnam. In Hanoi, phở even stars in dry stir-fried versions or fresh spring rolls, offering a new twist on a familiar favorite.

Bún – Round Rice Vermicelli
Soft, silky, and slightly tangy from the leaves used in steaming, bún noodles are incredibly versatile. They show up in countless dishes — from light soups to refreshing noodle salads topped with grilled meats, herbs, and dipping sauces. A few bites and you’ll understand why bún is a beloved base across the country.

Miến – Glass Noodles
Made from mung bean starch, miến noodles are thin, clear, and slightly chewy. They appear in comforting dishes like miến gà (chicken glass noodle soup) and are also stir-fried or deep-fried in crispy spring rolls. One standout is miến lươn trộn, a dry dish topped with crispy eel and fresh herbs.

Mì – Wheat or Egg Noodles
Yellow and springy, mì noodles are made from wheat and sometimes egg. You’ll find them in hearty soups like mì vằn thắn — Vietnam’s version of wonton noodle soup — often served with barbecued pork, shallot-infused broth, and boiled eggs.

Creative Ways Vietnamese Use Noodles

Noodle Salads
Perfect for warm days, Vietnamese noodle salads are light and refreshing. Try bún chả (grilled pork with bún noodles and herbs) or bún thịt nướng (grilled meat noodle bowl). These dishes balance grilled flavors with crisp veggies and a splash of tangy fish sauce.

Noodle Soups
Beyond phở, Vietnam is home to a dazzling variety of noodle soups. Each region has its specialty — like spicy bún bò Huế from Central Vietnam, hearty hủ tiếu Nam Vang from the South, or crab-and-tomato bún riêu. Expect rich broths, fresh toppings, and herbs you add to taste.

Noodle Rolls
Noodles also play a key role in Vietnam’s iconic fresh rolls. In dishes like gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) or nem lụi (grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper), noodles add a soft contrast to crunchy vegetables and smoky meats, all ready to be dipped in savory sauces.

Fried Noodles
Craving something crispy? Try mì xào (stir-fried noodles) loaded with vegetables, meat, or seafood. Or seek out phở chiên phồng in Hanoi — deep-fried squares of pho noodles topped with beef, Chinese greens, and rich gravy.

Unique Noodle Dishes You Have to Try

Mì Quảng
A specialty of Quảng Nam province, mì Quảng features wide rice noodles in a rich, turmeric-tinged broth. Each bowl is topped with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, herbs, and crunchy rice crackers. It’s a feast of textures and flavors, especially in Hội An and Đà Nẵng.

Bánh Đa Đỏ
From the northern port city of Hải Phòng, bánh đa đỏ are reddish-brown noodles made with gấc fruit and caramel. They’re best enjoyed in crab-and-tomato broth or fish-based soups with dill and local herbs.

Bánh Canh
Thick, chewy, and slippery, bánh canh noodles are made from tapioca or a tapioca-rice blend. They shine in hearty southern soups, often served with crab, pork hocks, or freshwater fish — especially popular in the Mekong Delta.

Cao Lầu

Only found in Hội An, cao lầu is unlike any other Vietnamese noodle dish. These thick noodles are made using water drawn from ancient wells, lending them a unique bite and flavor. Tossed with savory sauce, pork, greens, and crispy crackers, cao lầu is a true taste of Hội An’s heritage.

From the buzzing streets of Hanoi to the peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese noodles reflect the diversity and depth of the country’s cuisine. Whether you’re slurping soup at a sidewalk stall or rolling your own spring rolls by the beach, every bowl tells a story — and each bite brings you closer to Vietnam’s rich food culture.