A Vegetarian Guide to Your Vietnam Travel

Vietnamese kitchens are always known for its balanced, flavorful, and healthy cooking with liberal use of a plenty of vegetables and herbs. If you are a vegetarian, there are a lot for you to look forward to in your Vietnam tour package. No matter which food you want to try throughout the country, there are always mouth-watering meat-free versions on offer. Here we would love to share with you this easy-peasy guide to vegetarian food in Vietnam.

Is Vietnam a good destination for vegetarian travelers?

 Yes, Vietnam can be a convenient destination for vegetarian travelers because vegetarian dishes are available in local eateries, dedicated vegetarian restaurants, and many regular restaurants. Major destinations such as Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City offer numerous meat-free dining choices. Travelers can also find vegetarian versions of familiar Vietnamese dishes, making it easier to enjoy local cuisine while following a vegetarian diet.

Vietnamese food – Gastronomic Vietnam Tours

For all foodie fans, Vietnamese food needs no introduction. Take a gastronomic tour throughout the country, sample everything from tasty street foods to the fine-dining fusion dishes and you will make sense of the country’s comprehensive culinary scene. Northern food is known for its well-balanced recipes, the dishes in the central Vietnam is generous for its spice, and Southern people like to add sugar in their food.

Wherever you travel in Vietnam, you are surely treated with mouth-watering morsels. Though Vietnamese cuisine varies from north to south, but you should expect something popular that remains everywhere such as noodle soups, banh mi sandwiches, rice paper rolls, and Vietnamese coffee. And wherever you end up in, a street food vendor or a fine-dining restaurant, vegetarian versions are incredibly plentiful. 

Photo: Boiled eggplant stuffed with tofu

Photo: Vegetarian Vietnamese Pancake

What to order for a vegetarian when in Vietnam?

There is really no danger of going hungry as a vegetarian in Vietnam. Quickly google and you can find a bunch of vegetarian eateries near your location. Look for the words ‘quán chay’ or ‘cơm chay’ to locate a vegetarian place to eat, or to find veggie options on a regular menu. Or our tour guide are much delighted to offer some tips for you to find a suitable vegetarian restaurant for your Vietnam holiday packages.

If you go to a regular restaurant, some few “magic words” to attract the staff’s attention is “toi an chay” (literally means I’m a vegetarian) or “khong thit” (no meat) to ask for no meat in your dishes. As most of Vietnamese food goes with fish sauce, remember to say “khong nuoc mam” which means “no fish sauce” when placing your orders. 

How do you order vegetarian food in Vietnam?

 Ordering vegetarian food in Vietnam is relatively easy when you know a few useful Vietnamese phrases. “Tôi ăn chay” means “I am vegetarian,” while “không thịt” means “no meat.” Because fish sauce is commonly used in Vietnamese cooking, vegetarians who avoid it can also say “không nước mắm,” meaning “no fish sauce.” Looking for the word “chay” on menus is another simple way to identify vegetarian dishes.

Photo: A vegetarian dish with meatless fish served with scallions

Actually, it’s not too difficult to place a vegetarian order, just have a look through the menu and look for the keyword “chay” – literally means “vegetarian”. Normally, the word “chay” will be added just after the regular dish name to specify the vegetarian version.

For example:
Pho chay = vegetarian pho (noodle soup)
Nem chay = vegetarian spring rolls
Banh mi chay = vegetarian baguettes
Banh xeo chay = vegetarian rice pancake
Mi xao chay = stir-fried vegetarian noodles
Sup chay = vegetarian soup

What are the best vegetarian foods to try in Vietnam?

 Vietnam offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes, from noodle soups and rice paper rolls to tofu dishes, salads, stir-fried vegetables, and vegetarian bánh mì. Popular choices include phở chay, nem chay, bánh mì chay, bánh xèo chay, mì xào chay, and rau muống xào tỏi. Travelers can also look for “chay” on menus, which indicates a vegetarian version of a dish.

Photo: A bowl of vegetarian pho with meatless beef and seasonal vegetables

Photo: A vegetarian banh mi cut in 3 with meatless pork and picked salad

There is another pool of vegetarian options without the world “chay” because the original dish itself is already meat-free:

Nom hoa chuoi: banana leaf salad
Sa lat dau dam: cucumber and tomato salad with flavorful vinegar sauce
Dau sot ca chua: braised tofu with tomato sauce
Dau hu chien sa ot: Tofu fried with shredded lemongrass and chili
Rau muong xao toi: stir-fried morning glory with garlic
…………and so many more!

Photo: Vegetarian banana leaf salad

Photo: Fried tofu with Mushroom sauce

Best vegetarian restaurants in Vietnam 

There is a wide selection of excellent and best vegetarian restaurants in all major destinations in Vietnam. 

In Hanoi, make sure you check it out Uu Dam Chay – an elegant vegetarian restaurant located right at the heart of the city center. Or have a stop by at Veggie Castle where they serve decent vegetarian buffet with very reasonable price. Another choice could be the quiet one Aummee – a popular place for local monks so you can be guaranteed authentic set of vegetarian menus. 

Where can vegetarians find good vegetarian restaurants in Vietnam?

Vegetarian travelers can find dedicated vegetarian restaurants in many of Vietnam’s major tourist destinations. In Hanoi, options include Uu Dam Chay, Veggie Castle, and Aummee. In Hoi An, travelers can explore Karma Waters, Am Restaurant, and Annen Hoi An. In Ho Chi Minh City, Hum Restaurants and Pi Bistro are among the vegetarian dining options mentioned in this guide. Travelers can also ask local guides for recommendations based on their location and dietary preferences.

Photo: Uu Dam Chay Restaurant food display

Photo: Uu Dam Chay Restaurant interior view

Hoi An is also a destination that offers countless delicious vegetarian restaurants. You can’t go wrong at Karma Waters which serves 100% organic and vegan Vietnamese food and drink. Try few more meat-free restaurants options at Am Restaurant or Annen Hoi An, and rest assured that the chefs there will feed you well.

Photo: Fried tofu at Am Restaurent Hoi An

In Ho Chi Minh City, among the various vegetarian restaurants, Hum Restaurants and Pi Bistro seem to stand out from the crowds thanks to their cozy Vietnamese traditional design as well as the amazing menu with plentiful green, healthy, and incredibly delicious options to choose from.  

Photo: Vegetarian dish at Pi Vegetarian Bistro, Ho Chi Minh City

With our slogan “Simply your best local friend”, our travel expert at Threeland Travel is delighted to give you our insightful tips and guiding that will ensure your amazing experience when travelling to Indochina in general and to Cambodia in particular.  Book your cambodia tour package with us or contact our travel guru NOW at help@threeland.com to create a thorough pre-trip planning to Cambodia for you!

See more: 12 days Vietnamese Culinary Journey