Vietnam is loved by foreign tourists for many reasons and perhaps one of the reasons that cannot be ignored is the rich and diverse cuisine, varying by region.
Foreign media suggests 5 must-try dishes when visiting Ho Chi Minh City
According to Goasean travel website, there is no better place to experience the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine than in Ho Chi Minh City, which is likened to a 'paradise' of Vietnamese cuisine with dishes from all regions across the country.
To explore the cuisine of Ho Chi Minh City, especially street food, you can sign up for food discovery tours tailored for foreign visitors or simply stroll around a few streets to enjoy countless delicious dishes.
Here are 5 dishes you must try when visiting Ho Chi Minh City as suggested by Goasean, let's explore!
1. Banh mi
Banh mi is an extremely popular dish in Vietnam and is sold abundantly on sidewalks throughout the country. The fillings for banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City are quite diverse, including pate, shredded pork, Chinese sausage, pickled vegetables, Vietnamese ham, and cold cuts, served with fresh vegetables, cilantro, and cucumber. Although there are many banh mi vendors, each one has its own unique flavor, which is what creates the brand and differentiation for each eatery.
Suggested Address: Huynh Hoa Banh Mi, 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

2. Pho
Pho is a traditional dish and is considered one of the typical dishes of Vietnamese cuisine. This is also a dish that is often mispronounced by many foreign tourists due to language differences and difficulties in Vietnamese pronunciation. The main components of pho are pho noodles and broth with beef or chicken. It also comes with condiments such as hoisin sauce, pepper, lime, fish sauce, chili, and more.
While the steps to make pho are the same, whether the pho bowl is aromatic and flavorful depends heavily on the secret recipes of each chef. Each family, each pho shop has its own formula with secret ingredients that they rarely disclose.
Suggested Address: Pho Phu Vuong, 339 Le Van Sy, Ward 1, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

3. Bun Bo Hue
With its unique and rich flavor, bun bo Hue is a dish originated from the ancient capital of Hue but you can still easily find it in Saigon from sidewalk eateries to upscale restaurants. The dish consists of noodles, beef, pork knuckles, and a characteristic red-colored broth. Sometimes the bowl of bun is also added with rare beef, crab rolls, and other ingredients depending on the preference of the cook.
Suggested Address: Bun Bo Ganh, 110 Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

4. Bun Cha
Bun cha is a dish made with rice vermicelli, grilled pork, and served with a dipping sauce. The dipping sauce for bun cha is considered the soul of the dish and is usually served in small, hot bowls with a very enticing aroma. This dish originated from Northern Vietnam and is considered one of the specialties of Hanoi cuisine.
Suggested Address: Bun Cha 145, 145 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

5. Coffee
Many foreign tourists remark that Saigon is like a coffee paradise, with a variety of cafes ranging from high-end to budget-friendly, each with its own unique style. Coffee is a familiar drink in Saigon to the point that no matter day or night, you can always see Saigonese people drinking coffee.
Suggested Address: i.d cafe, 34D Thu Khoa Huan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

According to Ha Mi (Source: Goasean)
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourJanuary 8, 2016