Vietnamese cookery is one of the world's great cuisines – light, aromatic, balanced, and bursting with fresh herbs and vegetables. Here are twelve dishes that should be on every food-lover's itinerary.
1. Phở (Pho)
Vietnam's most iconic dish: a fragrant broth slow-simmered with charred ginger, star anise, and cinnamon, poured over silky rice noodles and thinly sliced beef or chicken. Served with fresh basil, lime, chilli, and bean sprouts on the side. Best eaten for breakfast in Hanoi.
2. Bánh Mì
A Vietnamese baguette – crusty outside, airy within – filled with pâté, cold cuts, pickled daikon and carrot, fresh coriander, and chilli. The perfect street snack at any time of day. A good one costs less than $1.
3. Bún Chả
Hanoi's favourite lunch: grilled pork belly and meatballs served in a light, lightly sweet broth alongside a plate of fine rice noodles and a mountain of fresh herbs. This is what US President Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate on their famous Hanoi visit.
4. Cao Lầu
Found only in Hoi An, this dish features thick chewy noodles (traditionally made with water from a specific local well) tossed with sliced pork, crispy croutons, and fresh greens. The flavour is unlike anything else in Vietnam.
5. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Translucent rice-paper rolls packed with prawns, pork, rice vermicelli, mint, and lettuce, served with a peanut-hoisin dipping sauce. Fresh, light, and utterly addictive.
