Your Guide to Vegetarian Food in Vietnam

Planning a trip to Vietnam but unsure of vegetarian/vegan food availability? Rest assured, you can easily enjoy your Vietnamese holiday without worrying about getting your preferred choice of food. In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about accessing wholesome and tasty vegetarian food in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Cuisine may have been known for its meat and seafood preparations, however, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it offers a plethora of delicious vegetarian food options as well. From bustling street markets to charming local and western eateries, it caters to all palates, including those seeking vegetarian/vegan fare.

Our goal at Wander Smartly is to make your travels smarter and help you have the best time on your travels. From my own experience of visiting Vietnam as a vegetarian, I share the minutest detail to ensure that you not just survive in your trip to Vietnam, but relish both local and international vegetarian delicacies that leave you licking your fingers.

Ease Of Finding Vegetarian Food In Vietnam

Vietnam embraces a strong Buddhist tradition, which has greatly influenced the prevalence of vegetarian cuisine in the country. Thus, finding vegetarian food is easy, especially in larger cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Hoi, and Da Nang. Local markets, street food stalls, and even upscale restaurants have vegetarian options readily available. These include local Vietnamese options as well as popular International Cuisine. Vietnamese people are known for their hospitality, and are graciously accommodating when it comes to dietary preferences of tourists.

Best Local Vegetarian Dishes

Here is my list of 5 hand-picked vegetarian/vegan dishes that are delicious and a must try on your trip to Vietnam:

1. Vegetarian Noodle Soup (Pho Chay): A vegetarian twist on Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup, Pho Chay replaces the traditional beef or chicken with tofu or seitan. The aromatic broth, rice noodles, and fresh herbs make this dish a delight for your senses.

2. Vegetarian Baguette (Banh Mi Chay): The sandwich typically consists of a crusty French baguette filled with an assortment of fresh vegetables like cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, enhanced with condiments like soy sauce, chili sauce, and vegan mayonnaise, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Banh Mi Chay is a quick and tasty option for a light meal or snack.

3. Vietnamese Hot Pot (Lau): This is a popular communal dining experience in Vietnam. It involves cooking an assortment of fresh vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, noodles, and other vegetarian ingredients in a flavorful broth at the center of the table. It is not only a tasty and satisfying meal, but it also offers a wide variety of ingredients that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.

4. Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Nem Chay): These delicious vegetarian spring rolls are filled with vermicelli, mushrooms, tofu, and fresh herbs, and are often served with a dipping sauce.

5. Fresh Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon): Goi Cuon, commonly known as fresh spring rolls or summer rolls, are similar to Nem Chay mentioned earlier. These rolls are made by wrapping a delicate rice paper sheet around a combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and often tofu or vermicelli noodles. Goi Cuon are typically served cold and accompanied by a peanut dipping sauce. They are light, healthy, and bursting with crisp textures and vibrant flavors.

There are many more local vegetarian dishes, like Vegetarian Broken Rice (Com Chay), Vegetarian Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo Chay), Vegetarian rice porridge (Chao Chay), Vegetarian Sticky Rice (Xoi Chay), Stir-fried Vegetarian Noodles (Mì Xào Chay), etc. to choose from. If anyone gave you the impression that Vietnam is a culinary paradise only for meat-eaters, they couldn’t be more wrong.

By now, you would’ve guessed the word ‘çhay’ means vegetarian in Vietnamese. I travelled to Vietnam with a bit of apprehension myself, but soon realized the country welcomes vegetarian dietary preferences with loads of vegan/vegetarian dishes to offer. I had a lot to çhayrish.

Top Vegetarian Restaurants In Major Cities

Here is my list of hand-picked vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the popular areas in major cities in Vietnam:

Hanoi

1. Chayfood: A must visit vegan restaurant in the Hoàn Kiếm district, it has plenty of delicious vegan dishes to choose from. Do order their fresh summer rolls with sesame peanut sauce.

2. Quán Phở Chay anh Hải: This is a highly rated veggie pho stall in a small alley in the Old Quarter.

3. MẸT Vietnamese Restaurant & Vegetarian Food: Offer authentic Vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine.

4. Bánh Mì Chay Vegan: You must try a vegan Bánh Mì from this place.

Ho Chi Minh

1. Shamballa Vegetarian: With sophisticated ambience and interiors and delightful vegan food options, this place is sure to make you happy. A must-visit on your visit to Ho Chi Minh.

2. Hum Vegetarian: With its elegant and modern ambiance, Hum Vegetarian serves a wide range of Vietnamese and international vegetarian dishes. The artistic presentation of their food is a feast for the eyes as well.

3. An Lac Chay: This long-standing vegetarian eatery is a favorite among locals. Try their mock meat dishes and traditional Vietnamese specialties.

Da Nang

1. Quán Chay Hữu Duyên: This place is perfect for affordable and delicious vegan food in Da Nang.

2. iVegan Danang – Healthy Vegan Restaurant – Thuần Chay Thực Vật: This place is known for its generous portions and tasty vegan food.

3. Shamballa Vegetarian, Restaurant & Greenhouse – Da Nang: Go here for a sophisticated vegan dining experience.

Dong Hoi

1. Bodhi Vegetarian Restaurant: Here you will devour the delicious vegan Vietnamese food. Their Tom Yum Hot Pot happened to be the highlight dish on my trip to Vietnam. Rated by my meat-eating husband as “the best dish he ate on the trip!”.

Useful Tips For Vegetarians / Vegans

1. You don’t have to rely only on local Vietnamese cuisine when you search for vegan restaurants. Vietnam’s cosmopolitan cities are home to various international cuisines, like Indian, Mediterranean or Western, many of which offer excellent vegetarian options. Vegetarian dishes like flavorful curries, dosas, thali meals, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, pizzas, salads, and sandwiches are easily available in all major cities of Vietnam.

2. You will also find vegan food options at regular restaurants. However, vegan options would be limited in these places so it’s always better to go to a vegan restaurant where you will find a plethora of options to choose from.

3. Use the app – HappyCow – to help you discover vegan restaurants with ease. It helps you filter restaurant types and navigate via the app. Decide from the options basis their reviews and translate the text into your language. It also enables you to save listings of local restaurants for offline viewing.

4. When part of a day tour, let your guide know in advance about your vegan food preference. They would be happy to accommodate your needs, so long as you give them at least a day’s notice. Vietnamese people are very hospitable and sensitive to needs to travelers.

5. While Vietnam’s street food scene is vibrant, some dishes may contain fish sauce or shrimp paste. Communicate your dietary preferences to the vendors, and they will often be accommodating.

Vegan or not, you must try the decadent Vietnamese Coffee in both the iced and hot format. Made with 100% Robusta coffee and sweetened condensed milk, it is sure to take your tastebuds for a joyride. While you’re in Hanoi, devour the local Vietnamese Coffee from any AHA Cafe outlets. These serve the best Vietnamese coffee compared to any other place in all of the city. However, remember to consume Vietnamese Coffee in moderate quantities as it can have a strong effect on your system.

Vietnam is a surprisingly vegetarian-friendly destination, with its rich culinary heritage and a growing number of vegetarian establishments. Whether you’re savoring traditional local dishes or exploring international cuisines, you’ll find a wide range of delicious and satisfying options. Vegetarian tourists can truly enjoy Vietnam’s culinary delights without compromise. So, pack your bags and embark on a vegetarian food adventure through the flavorsome streets of Vietnam!

Check our detailed 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary for a complete guide on places to visit, where to stay, best time to visit and which activities to indulge in.

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