Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s most populated city and bursts with the vibrant energy of the country’s south. We spent a few days here, and while exploring this fast-paced metropolis, we were delighted by the many vegan options available. From street food to traditional plant-based dishes to modern, fully vegan restaurants, HCMC offers something for every taste and budget. In this article, we’ll share our favorite places and the tips that make being vegan in Ho Chi Minh City both easy and fun.
Introduction
- Best for: street food, markets, nightlife, museums, war history, rooftop bars, café culture
- Top areas to stay: District 1 (central & convenient), District 3 (local vibe), Thao Dien in District 2 (expat cafés & boutiques)
- Main attractions: Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum, Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- Getting around: Grab and Be (motorbike taxis) are the easiest; buses and the new metro line also operate in key areas
- When to visit: December–April for dry, sunny weather; May–November is rainy but still very doable
- Airport to city: 20–40 minutes depending on traffic; taxis and Grab widely available
- Vegan-friendly? Very! Tons of plant-based restaurants and Buddhist buffets across the city
Explore more tips and vegan-friendly finds in our Vietnam itinerary post.
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Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that truly has it all. Stretching over 1,600 kilometers from north to south, it offers an incredible variety of landscapes: mountains, rice terraces, valleys, vast caves, bustling cities and endless coastline. As you travel through the country from north to south (or vice versa), you’ll notice not only the scenery changing, but also the culture, traditions, dialects, and local specialties.
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is still widely called Saigon today, especially by people from the South. The city was renamed after Vietnam’s revolutionary leader following the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1976. It is Vietnam’s most populated city, and the country’s largest economic hub. While Hanoi carries a more traditional and historic atmosphere, HCMC feels fast-paced, modern, and energetic. The city’s dynamic character is shaped by its network of rivers and canals, its towering skyscrapers, as well as the quiet, leafy alleys (“hẻm”). Ho Chi Minh City holds many culturally and historically significant landmarks, such as the War Remnants Museum, which documents the country’s difficult wartime past. Today, the city is known for its business districts, shopping areas, thriving café culture, and an incredible food scene. To our delight, HCMC is an absolute paradise for vegans, offering everything from vegan-friendly street food and traditional dishes to modern, fully plant-based restaurants.
Vegan in Vietnam
Veganism in Vietnam
Overall, eating vegan in Vietnam is fairly easy. Many Vietnamese dishes are built around naturally plant-based ingredients like rice, noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, and legumes. The main challenge is that fish sauce or shrimp paste is often used, and these additions aren’t always obvious unless you ask. Luckily, most meals are cooked from scratch, making it easy to request small adjustments to keep dishes fully vegan. Throughout our travels, this was rarely an issue, and people were always accommodating and happy to help. The translation cards below are a useful tool for checking whether dishes contain any non-vegan ingredients when dining out.
Naturally Vegan-Friendly Food in Vietnam and HCMC
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Mì xào rau (stir-fried noodles with vegetables) | Usually made with veggies; ask for không thịt, không trứng (no meat, no egg). |
| Phở chay | A plant-based version of the iconic noodle soup, found in many “chay” restaurants. |
| Bánh mì chay | Vietnam’s famous sandwich made vegan with tofu, mushrooms, or mock meat. |
| Cơm chay | A mixed rice plate with a variety of tofu, vegetables, and mock-meat dishes. |
| Gỏi cuốn chay (fresh spring rolls) | Light rolls with herbs, veggies, tofu, and rice noodles; ask for a peanut or soy sauce without fish sauce. |
| Chè với nước cốt dừa | Sweet dessert soups often made vegan; choose versions with coconut milk instead of condensed milk. |
| Cơm tấm chay | A vegan take on the classic broken rice dish, typically served with tofu, shredded veggies and pickles. |
| Bánh ướt chay | Soft steamed rice sheets topped with tofu, bean sprouts, and fried shallots; ask for soy sauce instead of fish sauce. |
Vegan Desserts and Snacks in Vietnam
Desserts in Vietnam can feel a bit tricky at first glance for vegans, as many traditional treats are made with condensed milk or topped with dairy-based sauces. However, you can still find plenty of vegan-friendly options. Look for desserts made with coconut milk, like chè (sweet soups), mango sticky rice, fresh fruit platters, or coconut ice cream. When in doubt just ask for “không sữa đặc” (no condensed milk).
The good news is that there are lots of different vegan snacks to choose from when traveling through Vietnam. You’ll find seaweed sheets, rice crackers, dried mango, nuts, coconut chips, and fresh fruit in every convenience store and local market. Perfect for road trips, trekking days, or a light bite between meals.
Vegan Coffee Culture
Vietnam is famous for its legendary coffee scene, and fortunately, vegans can enjoy it too. While plant milks aren’t always available in small local cafés, most Western-style spots and specialty roasters now offer soy, oat, or almond milk—especially in bigger cities like HCMC. Try a refreshing cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) or coconut coffee (for example at IVegan) made with plant milk or go classic with strong black Vietnamese coffee.
Hidden Non-Vegan Ingredients
Even though Vietnam is generally very vegan-friendly, some dishes can include hidden animal ingredients that aren’t immediately obvious. Watch out for these:
- Fish sauce (nước mắm) – commonly added to soups, stir-fries, dipping sauces, and dressings.
- Shrimp paste (mắm tôm) – used in sauces, marinades, and some noodle dishes.
- Condensed milk (sữa đặc) – often added to desserts, smoothies, and traditional Vietnamese coffee.
- Butter or mayonnaise – sometimes used in bánh mì.
- Egg (trứng) – can appear in fried noodles, fried rice, or some versions of phở.
- Bone broth (nước lèo) – many soups use broth made from pork, chicken, or beef bones, even if the toppings look plant-based.
“Chay” in Vietnamese
“Chay” (ăn chay) means vegetarian Buddhist food – which most of the time, means that is completely vegan in Vietnam.
Most chay restaurants avoid meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Some may still use milk or butter occasionally, but this is rare. If you want to be sure, you can say:
“Tôi ăn thuần chay – không trứng, không sữa.”
(I eat vegan – no egg, no milk.)
These chay restaurants make traveling in Vietnam much easier for vegans. Outside of dedicated chay eateries, asking for chay dishes can also help signal that you’re looking for plant-based food. That said, we noticed during our travels that the term wasn’t always understood as clearly as we had hoped. This is where the translation cards below can help communicate your needs more clearly.
Translation Card for Vietnam
Feel free to screenshot this card, save it on your phone, or print it and keep it in your wallet!
Vegan restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
Map of Vegan Restaurants in HCMC
Red pins indicate street food, blue pins indicate local Vietnamese eateries, and orange pins indicate non-Vietnamese / Western restaurants. You can also click on the name of each restaurant in the list below; it will take you directly to the Google Maps location.
Streetfood & Food Courts
If you’re in Vietnam, you can’t miss out on the street food! For vegans, Bánh Mì is one of the easiest dishes to find in a fully plant-based version. Local food courts can be just as exciting, offering affordable and authentic local meals with plenty of vegan options.
Bun Mi Xao Chay
Price: $
Fully vegan street food cart that’s scattered all over Ho Chi Minh City, selling one dish: Bun Mi Xao Chay, a vegan noodle dish with noodles, tofu, fried wonton (Chinese dumplings) and vegetables. It is a local breakfast dish and so most of these stalls are only open until 11am. Here are some spots available on google maps, but in reality there are much more of them. Just keep your eyes open 😀
Banh Mi Xanh
Fully vegan shop serving different versions of Vietnam’s beloved Bánh Mì. One of our fave places and super convenient for a take-away lunch!
Price: $-$$ (compared to other Bánh Mì places)
Com Chay Thien Tam
Price: $
Vegan street food stall with a few seating options. They serve mostly rice plate with veggies and tofu, and noodle soup. One dish costs only 30.000 VND and you get free tea on top. Perfect stop for an authentic Vietnam experience.
Vietnamese Restaurants
Bat Nha 1 Vegetarian Restaurant
Price: $
A fully vegan, family-run restaurant offering traditional Vietnamese dishes. Most meals contain lots of vegetables and mock meat. They even have plant-based milk!
Quán chay Chí Thiện
Price: $
Fully vegan, simple little restaurant serving a variety of dishes with rice, mock meat and different vegetables.
Sen Vegan House
Price: $$
Fully vegan Vietnamese restaurant serving tasty and creative dishes, such as spring rolls, soups, hot pots and stir-fries. An amazing place for local food!
Bon’s Vegan Bistro
Price: $$
Fully vegan local restaurant with a range of rice and noodle dishes, vegetables and mock meat, as well as Bánh Mì. The food is fresh, creative and super delicious. One of the must-try’s in HCMC!
Shamballa Vegetarian, Restaurant & Teahouse
Price: $$$
Vegetarian restaurant leaning towards fine-dining, with a great atmosphere serving Vietnamese dishes, with many vegan options.
Non-Vietnamese and Western Restaurants
IVegan
Price: $$
Fully-vegan restaurant operating in multiple locations across Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. The place in Ho Chi Minh City has a big menu with western-style fusion dishes ranging from smoothie bowls and Buddha bowls to burgers, local-inspired meals and desserts. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Vietnam!
Filthy Vegan
Price: $$
This fully vegan restaurant is a must-visit if you’re craving some junk food! Think burgers, hotdogs, pizza, fish’n’chips, indulgent desserts, … The owner has been vegan for over 20 years, is super friendly and likes to give tips on other restaurants in the area.
La Moi plant-based Restaurant
Price: $$
Fully vegan restaurant with a large menu ranging from spring rolls and Pad Thai to pineapple rice and vegan ribs. Everything is super fresh and tasty, and definitely one of the must-visit places in HCMC.
HAPPY PLACE – Ẩm Thực Chay Và Trà Đài Loan
Price: $$
Vegetarian Taiwanese-style restaurant with lots of vegan options.
Phạm Nghiêm Trai
Price: $$
Vegetarian Japanese restaurant with a large choice of vegan options, such as sushi rolls and Phở.
Ordering Food
Too tired or just not in the mood to leave your house for food? No problem in Ho Chi Minh City! With the Grab app, you can conveniently order your favorite dishes from your favorite vegan restaurants 😀
Vegan Food Prices in Vietnam
Typical Prices for Vegan Dishes
| Dish / Type | Price (VND) | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food vegan dishes | 20,000–40,000 | €0.75–1.50 |
| Vegan bánh mì | 25,000–50,000 | €1–2 |
| Local vegan restaurants | 40,000–80,000 | €1.50–3 |
| Modern vegan cafés | 100,000–180,000 | €3.50–7 |
| Vegan pizza / burgers | 150,000–250,000 | €5–10 |
Money-Saving Tips for Vegans
- Buddhist buffets are the cheapest meals in Vietnam (for example Com Chay Thien Tam).
- Street Bánh Mì Chay or Bun Mi Xao Chay carts are everywhere and super cheap. Plus, Bánh Mì is a super practical take-away food and often our go-to meal for day trips or long bus rides (for example from Vientiane to Hanoi).
- In supermarkets, look for vegan version of Ramen noodles. You just need some boiling water, et voilà – a cheap meal, ready in just a few minutes.
How Many Days to Spend in Ho Chi Minh City?
Most travelers spend at least 2-3 days in Ho Chi Minh City, which is enough to explore its main sights, enjoy the food scene, and get a feel for its fast-paced southern energy. If you’re short on time, 1 day still gives you a good introduction (even though we recommend to spend more time to get a real feel for the city!), while 3+ days let you dive deeper into markets, neighborhoods, and cafés.
Recommended Time
- 1 day: Quick highlights, ideal if you’re just passing through.
- 2-3 days: Best balance of sightseeing + food + culture.
- 4+ days: Great if you love cafés, photography, museums, cooking classes, plan day trips or visits to other parts of Vietnam (for example to Cát Tiên National Park).
Sample 1-Day HCMC Itinerary (Fast Highlights)
Morning
- Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office: French-colonial landmarks right next to each other.
- Walk to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street for a quick stop.
- Coffee break at a local café.
Early Afternoon
- Visit the War Remnants Museum – one of Vietnam’s most important historical museums and a very emotional, touching visit.
- Lunch at a vegan-friendly spot nearby (for example La Moi plant-based Restaurant).
Late Afternoon/Evening
- Stroll around Ben Thanh Market for snacks, souvenirs, and street food.
- Explore Nguyen Hue Walking Street and see the People’s Committee Building.
- Visit the Saigon Skydeck or a rooftop bar for city views.
- Dinner at one of HCMC’s many vegan restaurants.
Sample 2-Day HCMC Itinerary (More Relaxed)
Day 1: City Highlights
Follow the 1-day itinerary above but take your time: especially at the War Remnants Museum and the markets.
Day 2: Districts, Culture & Local Life
Morning
- Explore Chinatown (District 5) and visit: Thien Hau Temple, Cha Tam Church, Binh Tay Market
- Coffee and breakfast at a local eatery.
Afternoon
- Visit The Cafe Apartments (42 Nguyen Hue) for boutique shopping + cafés.
- Head to Tao Dan Park or Le Van Tam Park for a relaxed afternoon
Optional add-ons:
- Cu Chi Tunnels (half-day tour)
- Cooking class with a market visit
- Saigon Opera House AO Show
Evening
- Wander around District 1’s alleyways for dinner.
- Explore Bui Vien Walking Street if you want nightlife (busy, but worth a stop to witness the atmosphere!).
Conclusion
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, also known as Saigon) is well worth a visit, not just for its history and culture, but also to experience the energy of a bustling Vietnamese city. As vegans, we loved the variety: whether you want to try local favorites like bánh mì or indulge in Western-style comfort food like pizza and burgers, the city has you covered. A few days here will fly by, and you won’t run out of things to see, eat, or explore.
Further Reading
Blog Articles
Traveling to Vietnam:
Vegan Guides:
- Why Vegan? The Reason We Travel the World Plant-Based
- Vegan Travel – Exploring the World Without Compromising Your Values
Useful Resources
About the Authors
Lynn & Daniel are the vegan couple behind VanderlustJourney, combining their passion for adventure and plant-based living. They share stories and visuals of natural places, hikes, vegan discoveries, and meaningful encounters from around the world – always striving to travel with kindness.
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✉️ Contact: vanderlustjourney@outlook.com