Food Lover's Guide to Ho Chi Minh City

You'll find good food around every corner in Ho Chi Minh City, where the culinary scene serves as a reflection of the capital city's ever-evolving cosmopolitan landscape. There's everything from inexpensive food-cart fare to fine dining in the city's luxury hotels, and no matter your preference, you're sure to satisfy your appetite. Here are a few dishes and activities you won't want to miss.

Must-Try Dishes

Born from the fusion of French and Vietnamese influences, bahn mi has become one of the country's most iconic dishes and a must-eat for any visitor to Ho Chi Minh City. This sandwich, served on a baguette, comes piled with roast pork, pickled vegetables, cilantro, chilies, pate, and mayo. Flavors of fresh herbs abound in dishes like green papaya salad and spring rolls, while rice is a popular base for barbecued meats. Sticky rice, popular for breakfast, comes topped with bean paste and fried shallots or with yogurt.

Must-Do Experiences

• Embark on a food tour by foot, bike, or motorbike to try the delicious dishes of Ho Chi Minh City's streets and markets.

• Deepen your understanding of Southern Vietnamese cuisine in a cooking class, where you'll learn to create new dishes.

• Combine a cooking lesson with visits to other top Ho Chi Minh City attractions, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels or Cai Be Floating Market.

• Eat like a local while feasting on a made-from-scratch, 3-course meal in the home of a Vietnamese family.