General Introduction

Bring along an adventurous appetite when coming to Vietnam as your taste buds will enjoy an outrageous array of dishes to feast on. There are five hundred native dishes and while many of the traditional ones are similar to other Asian countries, Vietnamese food is different in that a lot of it is boiled or steamed vs. fried.

For the most part, there aren’t that many spices added into the cooking, but left as a side for you to add yourself with each dish. Each region in Vietnam, Northern, Central and Southern, varies in specialties, boasting theirs to be the best cuisine.

Buddhism introduced a traditionally vegetarian diet to Vietnam, making delicious clay pots filled with tofu and vegetables, dishes with meat substitutes, vegetable themed noodle dishes and fresh vegetables are common place. However, the French influence brought breads, dairy products and pastries, it is now common place to find a variety of customary meat dishes as well as the more exotic variety!

The best range of eateries are found in the larger cities of course, where you can choose from nearly anything to suit both your budget and your taste buds. Rice and noodle dishes, Western style food, European, Mediterranean and Japanese sushi can all be found at a variety of venues such as food stalls, street kitchens or sophisticated indoor restaurants.

So whether you fancy fresh seafood on the beach shore in a plastic chair; a few beers and traditional grub with some friends at a local ‘bia hoi’ or a more relaxed seat in a Western style restaurant, Vietnam will cater to your needs.