One of the things Vietnamese people are most proud of is their food. It is such a huge part of the culture that even celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain have named Vietnam one of the best food destinations in the world. From simple street food to exclusive restaurants, dining in Vietnam offers an array of unforgettable experiences. But trying some food in Vietnam doesn’t have to be a boring experience; there are many ways to discover the best food in the world. Here are some unique food and dining experiences in Vietnam.
- Street food walking tour in Hanoi
- Family dinner with ethnic minority in Sapa
- Cooking class in Hoi An
- Eating Pho at a floating market in the Mekong Delta
- Motorbike food tour in Ho Chi Minh city
- Drinking Bia Hoi on the streets of Hanoi
- Food tour by cyclo in Hue
- Eating snake dishes in Hanoi
- Try region dishes with local guides
- Dinner cruise on the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City
- Drinking egg coffee at Giang Café in Hanoi
- Breakfast at an ethnic northern market
- Hanoi Craft beer tour
- Picking fruit in the Mekong Delta
- Dining at an exclusive restaurants in Vietnam
- Coffee workshop in Hanoi
- Dining in the dark at Noir.
- Seafood BBQ on the beach in Phu Quoc
- Vegan and Vegetarian Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Street food walking tour in Hanoi
Street food is life in Vietnam. It is an integral part of the Vietnamese culture. Although you can do a street food tour in any city or town in Vietnam, Hanoi is the best place. Hanoi was recently voted by Tripadvisor as the number one food destination in the world for 2024.
You can see street food in every street, with local vendors selling bánh mì, phở, and bún chả. People park their motorbikes on the sidewalk and sit on low plastic stools to enjoy their food. It is understandable, especially if you are from a country where this is not common, to feel hesitant about trying food made on the street. That is why street food tours are amazing. They help introduce you to the best places, ensure you try a variety of dishes, and provide interesting information about the food and culture from local guides. Social, fun, and mostly delicious, a street food walking tour in Hanoi is the ultimate unique dining experience in Vietnam.
Got you excited? Check out our unique Hanoi street food tour, where you will go with a local guide, taste amazing food, and learn about the culture.
2. Family dinner with ethnic minority in Sapa
Right outside Sapa town, you find the iconic terraced rice fields. Here, many villages of ethnic minority people live traditional lives that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Visiting these villages feels like stepping back in time. One of the best experiences you can have is staying overnight in one of their homes. Staying with a local family is often a very basic experience with no comforts or luxuries, but it is something you will never forget.
One of the highlights is seeing how they cook on an open fire. You will share a family dinner with your hosts, often accompanied by rice wine. It is one of the most unique dining experiences you can have in Vietnam. This experience is best combined with trekking in Sapa, where you will explore the terraced rice fields and villages during the day and enjoy an overnight stay with an ethnic family in a homestay.
Check out our Sapa tours, which offer treks with homestay overnights where you can experience this unique dining experience yourself.
3. Cooking class in Hoi An
Cooking classes can be found everywhere in Vietnam, but Hoi An is the most popular place to take one. A cooking class can range from a short introduction to advanced Vietnamese cooking techniques. What makes Hoi An such a great place for this is the variety of related activities that can enhance the cooking class experience.
Depending on the class you choose, activities might include cycling through the countryside to see how rice is grown, participating in farming activities, and even riding a buffalo. One of the most popular activities is visiting a local market, where you learn about ingredients and bargaining. This offers a great way to see how locals live and shop daily, making it a comprehensive and immersive unique food experience in Vietnam.
4. Eating Pho at a floating market in the Mekong Delta
Gordon Ramsay visited the Cai Rang Floating Market in 2013 and said he had the best bowl of pho he had ever tasted. But let’s be honest; for most people, it’s not just about the taste but more about the unique food experience. Who can say they went to a floating market in the middle of the Mekong Delta, ordered a hot soup from a passing rowing boat, and savored it on their own boat while passing others selling flowers, fruits, and vegetables?
If you want to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, or any other floating markets in the Mekong Delta, make sure you have at least two days. These markets mostly operate in the very early morning, and because they are hours away from Ho Chi Minh City, you won’t be able to visit them in time with just a day trip.
Check out our Mekong Delta homestay experience, where you visit two floating markets, cycle through the flat countryside, and try fresh-picked fruit from local orchards.
5. Motorbike food tour in Ho Chi Minh city
A classic street food tour turned up a notch for the more adventurous traveler, a motorbike food tour in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most unique food experiences in Vietnam. It’s both exciting to travel on the back of a motorbike with a local and more authentic, as you navigate the city like a true local. This experience makes you feel like you are truly part of Vietnamese culture, transforming a standard street food tour into a whole new adventure.
Because you are traveling by motorbike, you often venture beyond the typical tourist areas, visiting places that most tourists never see. This gives you a deeper look into the local way of life and offers a more genuine cultural experience. And, of course, along the way, you will sample an array of delicious street foods that make Vietnam’s cuisine famous.
Are you ready for this tasty, adventurous food experience? Have a look at our motorbike food tour in Ho Chi Minh City.
6. Drinking Bia Hoi on the streets of Hanoi
Bia Hoi is the cheapest beer in the world, starting from 0,20 per glass. It is a type of Vietnamese draft beer that is brewed daily and delivered in kegs to local bars and street corners throughout Hanoi. It is incredibly light, refreshing, and cheap, making it a popular choice among locals and travelers alike. The culture around drinking Bia Hoi on the street is vibrant and communal, with people gathering on small plastic stools to enjoy a cold beer and socialize.
Joining this experience is easy for travelers. Simply head to one of Hanoi’s many Bia Hoi corners, order a glass, and take a seat among the locals. This unique dining experience allows you to soak in the local atmosphere and enjoy a truly authentic taste of Hanoi’s street culture.
7. Food tour by cyclo in Hue
Hue is famous for its rich food history, particularly its royal cuisine. This cuisine is not only about taste but also about presentation, reflecting the city’s proud royal history. Dishes are often elaborately prepared and beautifully presented, maintaining the traditions of the imperial court.
What better way to taste this amazing royal cuisine than by traveling in traditional transportation? A cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi, and touring Hue by cyclo allows you to leisurely explore the city’s culinary delights while enjoying a unique and nostalgic mode of transport. This experience combines the best of Hue’s food and history in a single, memorable tour.
Get in your cyclo and join our cyclo food tour in Hue.
8. Eating snake dishes in Hanoi
Eating snake is a long-standing tradition in Vietnam, where it is believed to bring health benefits and enhance virility. This unique dining experience allows adventurous eaters to taste a variety of snake dishes, prepared in numerous ways.
Le Mat Snake Village, located just outside Hanoi, is famous for its snake cuisine. Here, you can visit The Hung Ha Noi Snake Restaurant, where skilled chefs prepare snake meat into a variety of dishes such as snake soup, stir-fried snake, and even snake heart in rice wine. This experience is not for the faint-hearted but offers a fascinating glimpse into a unique aspect of Vietnam’s culinary culture.
9. Try region dishes with local guides
Exploring regional dishes with local guides is one of the best ways to experience Vietnam’s culinary diversity. Each city, town, and province has its own special dishes that can only be found there or taste the best there. With the help of a knowledgeable local guide, you can discover hidden gems and unique flavors that you might not find on your own. This personalized dining experience allows you to dive deep into the culinary traditions of different regions, making it a truly unique food experience in Vietnam.
10. Dinner cruise on the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City
A dinner cruise on the Saigon River offers a unique dining experience in Vietnam, combining exquisite cuisine with stunning views of Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline. As you glide along the river, you can enjoy a multi-course meal featuring both traditional Vietnamese dishes and international cuisine. The ambiance is enhanced by live music and the gentle sway of the boat, making it a perfect setting for a romantic evening or a special celebration. This experience allows you to see a different side of the bustling city, all while enjoying a delicious meal.
11. Drinking egg coffee at Giang Café in Hanoi
Egg coffee in Hanoi is a must-try unique dining experience in Vietnam, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than at Giang Café in Hanoi. This iconic drink, invented in the 1940s, features a creamy, frothy blend of egg yolk, sugar, condensed milk, and robust Vietnamese coffee. Giang Café, the birthplace of egg coffee, offers an authentic setting to savor this unusual but delicious beverage. Sitting in this historic café, sipping on egg coffee, and soaking in the atmosphere of Hanoi is a unique food experience you won’t forget.
12. Breakfast at an ethnic northern market
In the northern provinces of Vietnam, many ethnic groups, often living in traditional hill tribe villages, gather at local markets to trade goods and socialize. These markets, typically held once a week in the biggest town of each region, are vibrant events where ethnic people wear their most stunning and colorful traditional clothes. It’s a unique spectacle that offers a glimpse into their rich culture.
Each of these markets also features a food court unlike anything you’ve experienced before. People cook on open fires, preparing traditional ethnic meals for breakfast. Local men come here to drink and socialize. Joining them at the table might not be for everyone, but it will be a dining experience you’ll share with friends back home for many years. It’s an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy a truly unique dining experience in Vietnam.
13. Hanoi Craft beer tour
The craft beer scene in Hanoi has been growing rapidly, offering beer enthusiasts a unique way to experience the city. A Hanoi craft beer tour takes you to some of the best local breweries and craft beer bars, where you can sample a variety of innovative and flavorful brews. This tour is not only about tasting great beer but also learning about the brewing process and the stories behind each brew. It’s a fun and social way to discover another side of Hanoi’s vibrant food and drink culture.
14. Picking fruit in the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is known for its lush orchards and diverse fruit farms. Picking fruit in this region offers a unique food experience in Vietnam, allowing you to taste fresh, tropical fruits straight from the source. Many farms in the Mekong Delta welcome visitors to participate in fruit-picking activities, where you can gather seasonal fruits such as mangoes, dragon fruits, and lychees. This hands-on experience not only provides a deeper connection to the local agriculture but also lets you enjoy the natural beauty of Vietnam’s countryside.
15. Dining at an exclusive restaurants in Vietnam
Vietnam is home to some world-class exclusive restaurants that offer exceptional dining experiences. From gourmet Vietnamese cuisine to international fusion dishes, these establishments provide a luxurious and unforgettable culinary journey. Dining at exclusive restaurants in Vietnam often includes a combination of exquisite food, elegant ambiance, and top-notch service. Locations like La Verticale in Hanoi, The Deck Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, and La Maison 1888 in Da Nang offer unique dining experiences that highlight the best of Vietnamese and international cuisine.
16. Coffee workshop in Hanoi
Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, and a coffee workshop in Hanoi offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into this important aspect of Vietnamese culture. These workshops typically cover the history of Vietnamese coffee, the different types of coffee beans, and the unique brewing methods used in Vietnam, such as the iconic phin filter. Participants also get hands-on experience making traditional Vietnamese coffee, including the famous egg coffee. This interactive and educational experience is perfect for coffee lovers looking to enhance their appreciation of Vietnam’s rich coffee heritage.
17. Dining in the dark at Noir.
Noir. Dining in the Dark is an extraordinary dining experience available in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. At Noir., you dine in complete darkness, enhancing your other senses and providing a unique perspective on the flavors and textures of the food. The concept is designed to heighten your sense of taste, smell, and touch, making it one of the most unique dining experiences in Vietnam. The staff, who are visually impaired, guide you through the experience, adding an element of social responsibility and awareness to your meal. This dining experience challenges your perceptions and offers a memorable way to enjoy gourmet cuisine in Vietnam.
18. Seafood BBQ on the beach in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island is famous for its beautiful beaches and fresh seafood. One of the best ways to enjoy both is by having a seafood BBQ right on the beach. Many beachfront restaurants and resorts on Phu Quoc offer this unique dining experience, where you can choose from a variety of fresh seafood such as prawns, squid, fish, and shellfish, which are then grilled to perfection. Dining on the beach, with the sound of the waves and the fresh sea breeze, creates a relaxed and unforgettable atmosphere. This is a must-try for seafood lovers.
19. Vegan and Vegetarian Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has a thriving vegan and vegetarian food scene, offering a wide range of delicious plant-based dishes. A vegan and vegetarian food tour in this vibrant city can take you to some of the best local eateries, where you can sample everything from fresh spring rolls and bánh xèo (Vietnamese savory pancakes) to innovative vegan versions of traditional Vietnamese dishes. These tours often include visits to local markets to learn about the ingredients used in vegan and vegetarian cooking, providing a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s plant-based cuisine. This is a great way to enjoy a unique food experience in Vietnam while catering to dietary preferences.
20. Hotpot and BBQ in Dalat
Dalat, situated in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is located at a higher elevation, resulting in cooler temperatures, especially in the evenings. This cool climate makes it the perfect place to cozy up around a hotpot or BBQ. The city’s unique weather and abundance of fresh produce from local farms and greenhouses make these dining experiences particularly delightful.
Beyond the hotpot and BBQ, Dalat is famous for its rich agricultural landscape. You can explore tea and coffee plantations, visit greenhouses growing strawberries, flowers, and vegetables, and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
