Vietnam isn’t just a place to see—it’s a place to taste. Each region serves up a distinctive flavor, a memory on a plate. In this 7-day Vietnam tour, your stomach will be just as busy as your camera. And guess what? Even international stars like Barack Obama, Gordon Ramsay, and Angelina Jolie have fallen in love with Vietnam’s street eats. So grab your chopsticks—it’s time to eat your way through the country!
Start in Hanoi: Where the Flavor Journey Begins
Bún Chả on Ta Hien Street
Your journey begins in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where the smoke of charcoal grills curls through the air. At Ta Hien Street, Bún Chả sizzles over open flames. This dish—grilled pork belly and patties swimming in a warm fish sauce broth with garlic, pickled papaya, and chili—is an explosion of flavor, paired with vermicelli noodles and herbs.
Did you know? Former U.S. President Barack Obama shared a bowl of Bún Chả with Anthony Bourdain at Bún Chả Hương Liên. This moment brought Vietnam’s street food straight into global foodie fame.
Where to Eat & Stay
Try Bún Chả Đắc Kim, a local legend. After your fill, retreat to Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa—a serene base that blends elegance and easy access to Hanoi’s culinary maze.
Phở in the Morning: Vietnam’s Soul in a Bowl
Phở at Pho Gia Truyen
Rise with the sun and line up at Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan Street. Here, Phở isn’t just breakfast—it’s a national treasure. The broth simmers for hours with marrow-rich beef bones, star anise, and ginger, resulting in a soulful bowl that’s clean yet deep. Add lime, chili, and herbs to taste.
Celebrity Bite: Gordon Ramsay once declared Vietnamese Phở one of his all-time favorite dishes after trying it in Hanoi.
Egg Coffee to Finish
Walk to Giang Café, the birthplace of the legendary Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng). This concoction of whipped egg yolk and condensed milk atop rich coffee is dessert in a cup—sweet, frothy, and unforgettable.
Ninh Binh: Rustic Plates with Scenic Views
Dê Núi – Grilled Mountain Goat
In Ninh Binh’s rural beauty, you’ll sample Dê Núi, or grilled mountain goat. Smoky and chewy, it’s served with fermented soybean sauce and fig leaves. It’s a taste of Vietnam’s highlands and humble roots.
Crispy Cơm Cháy Snack
Balance the goat meat with Cơm Cháy—crispy rice crusts topped with pork floss and scallions. Dip into chili sauce for the perfect bite.
Where to Eat
Dine riverside at Hoang Giang Restaurant, then check in at Tam Coc Garden Resort for a quiet night among rice paddies and limestone cliffs.
Halong Bay Cruise: Seafood Among the Karsts
Fresh Seafood Platters
Sail through Halong Bay, where seafood is as fresh as the sea breeze. Relish Cha Muc (fried squid), steamed mantis shrimp, and grilled oysters with scallion oil—all served onboard against a backdrop of emerald islets.
Dining on Deck
Cruises like Indochina Sails offer multi-course Vietnamese dinners as you glide beneath the stars. The lemongrass, tamarind, and chili blend harmoniously with the salty sea air.
Star Secret: Many Korean dramas and travel vlogs feature romantic dinners aboard Halong Bay cruises—no wonder it’s a top honeymoon destination!
Ho Chi Minh City: Bold Flavors in the South
Ben Thanh Market Food Crawl
In Ho Chi Minh City, head to Ben Thanh Market, where the scent of grilled meats and fish sauce fills the air. Try:
- Bánh Xèo: a sizzling rice pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and sprouts, folded like a taco.
- Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang: a pork noodle soup with Cambodian roots, loaded with liver, quail eggs, and herbs.
Fun Fact: Actress Angelina Jolie praised Vietnam’s “layered flavors and humble elegance” during her visits, especially southern cuisine.
Where to Stay
Rest at Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel, which boasts rooftop views and walking distance to the city’s tastiest streets.
Cu Chi Tunnels: Meals of History
Soldier’s Diet – Boiled Cassava
At Cu Chi Tunnels, you’ll taste Khoai Mì Luộc (boiled cassava)—a humble but crucial dish during the Vietnam War. Dipped in crushed peanuts and salt, it’s earthy and energy-packed.
Reflection Through Food
Eating cassava underground, where fighters once hid and survived, transforms the experience into one of reverence and empathy.
Mekong Delta: Floating Flavors and Fruit Havens
River Fish and Tropical Delights
In the Mekong, every dish feels farm-to-table. Feast on:
- Cá Kho Tộ: caramelized catfish slow-cooked in clay pots.
- Bánh Xèo Mekong-style: crisp, thin pancakes with shrimp, mung beans, and coconut flavor.
Fruit Straight from the Boat
At Cai Rang Floating Market, enjoy dragon fruit, durian, jackfruit, and more—straight from the boat. It’s a sensory festival of tropical color and sweetness.
Local Stay Recommendation
Book a night at Ut Trinh Homestay, where hosts serve garden-fresh meals and treat you like family.
Sweet Endings: Vietnam’s Beloved Desserts
Chè Ba Màu – The Three-Color Dessert
A rainbow in a glass! Chè Ba Màu layers mung beans, pandan jelly, and red beans under shaved ice and coconut milk. It’s sweet, cooling, and picture-perfect.
Sticky Banana Heaven
Try Chè Chuối, a warm banana pudding with tapioca and coconut cream—gooey and slightly salty. You’ll find the best version at Chè 3 Miền, a beloved dessert chain.
Vietnam’s Hotel Restaurants That Surprise You
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi
Enjoy high-end Vietnamese cuisine at Le Beaulieu, where dishes like tamarind-glazed duck and spring rolls meet French finesse.
Caravelle Saigon Rooftop
Dine with skyline views at Caravelle Hotel, where lemongrass chicken skewers and mango chili spring rolls steal the show.
Tip: Sunset cocktails and appetizers here make for a dreamy final night in Vietnam.
Final Feast and Farewell
Last Meal, Lasting Memories
Before departure, revisit your favorites or try:
- Bánh Cuốn: delicate rice rolls with wood ear mushrooms and pork.
- Seafood Hotpot: a bubbling bowl of prawns, mussels, herbs, and lemongrass.
Food as a Cultural Connector
Vietnam’s cuisine is more than flavor—it’s identity, storytelling, and resilience. Whether through a steaming bowl of Phở or a humble cassava root, each meal connects you to the land and its people.
Experience It All with Go Global Vacations’ Delightful Vietnam Tour
Ready to taste your way through Vietnam? From the street-side sizzling pans of Hanoi to luxury cruise dining in Halong Bay and local flavors in Ho Chi Minh City, this tour brings you the best of Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Our Vietnam tour package is designed to deliver unforgettable memories, rich flavors, and local hospitality, combining historical landmarks and food adventures into one seamless journey.
Let Go Global Vacations take care of all the details with this 7-day Vietnam travel package, featuring comfortable accommodations, curated culinary stops, and immersive sightseeing. Click here to explore the Delightful Vietnam Tour and treat your tastebuds to an unforgettable trip across the Kingdom of Flavor!
