TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DOES VIETNAMESE PRACTICE VEGANISM?
Vegan food is very popular in Vietnam. Vietnamese are vegans for many different reasons. Some follow Buddhism and therefore are vegan because of that religion. Some are vegans because they want a healthier lifestyle. Some choose to be vegan to protect the environment.
Being a vegan because of religious reasons like Buddhism has stricter regulations than other vegan schools. Buddhist must avoid all types of meat and other strong spices like onion, chilli, garlic etc… People who follow Buddhism fervently must quit eating meat entirely. Other vegan schools follow different vegan schedules: 2 days (the 1st and the 15th of each month according to the lunar calendar), 4 days, 6 days or 10 days according to individual health status.
2. TOP 12 POPULAR VEGAN DISH IN VIETNAM
Vegan food in Vietnam is incredibly diverse, including all kinds of vegetables, tofu and dishes made from alternative ingredients, creating tasty, nutritional meals. Below are 12 of the most popular vegan dishes favoured by most Vietnamese.
2.1. Vegan Phở
Vegan Phở is the vegetarian option of Vietnamese traditional Phở. The sauce is made from turnips, carrots, onions and mushrooms. The soft rice noodle is poached through hot boiled water, then put into a bowl with tofu, mushrooms and other vegetables. This dish is both nutritious and simple, perfect to eat as your main dish for every meal.
2.2. Vegan Spring roll
Vegan spring rolls is a light and fresh dish, including rice paper rolls, rice noodle, tofu and vegetables like carrots, pickles and other herbs. Spring rolls are usually dipped into fish sauce with a mix of chilli and garlic, creating an attractive and flavourful dish. The local people absolutely love the dish and it is perfect for hot days.
2.3. Vegan hot pot
Vegan hot pot is a cozy dish, perfect for a family party. The hot pot broth is made from vegetables, mushrooms creating a light but flavorful broth. When eating, consumers dip various types of vegetables, tofu, mushrooms and noodles into the hot pot. This dish is tasty and a good source of various vitamins and fibre.
2.4. Vegan rice
Vegan rice is cơm tấm (rice made from broken or fractured grains) and is consumed alongside vegetarian ribs. Hot rice in combination with vegan ribs and a bit of garlic and chilli sauce is a meal that captures the heart of many Vietnamese and foreigners.
2.5. Vegan sticky rice
Vegan sticky rice is a popular dish, made from sticky rice and other popular ingredients such as green beans, nuts, coconuts, lotus seeds, mushrooms etc… to increase the flavor and nutrition value. The sticky rice is flavorful, with natural sweetness and an incredibly nice fragrance, suitable to enjoy as breakfast to kick start your day.
2.6. Vegan sizzling pancake
Vegan sizzling pancake is the vegetarian option of the traditional Sizzling pancake. Made from flour, its filling consists of green beans, mushrooms, various vegetables and herbs. It is then deep fried and eaten with even more vegetables and dipped in sweet and sour sauce. This gives the dish a flavorful, light and crunchy feel.
2.7. Vegan Bún chả
Vegan bún chả includes fresh rice vermicelli, vegan cha (a type of Vietnamese sausage, vegan option is made from tofu, tofu extracts) and vegetables. Also used with sweet and sour sauce with various sour vegetables (carrot, papaya…). This dish brings more than enough nutrition, suitable for a vegan day.
2.8. Bánh mì vegan
Bánh mì has many vegan options. One of the most popular types of Bánh Mì vegan consists of vegan paste, fried tofu, mushrooms and a lot of vegetables. Bánh Mì vegan is usually used alongside some sauce to maximize the flavor inside the customer’s mouth.
2.9. Vegan stir-fry noodle
Vegan stir-fry noodles is a simple but incredibly tasty meal, consisting mainly of carrots, brocolis, tofus and mushrooms. The noodle is stir-fried with vegetable oil and other spices creating a flavorful and tasty dish. This dish is full of nutrition and quick to make, suitable for both lunch and dinner.
2.10. Vegan sour soup
Vegan sour soup is a tasty soup made from all kinds of vegetables and fruits like pineapples, tomatoes, okras and bean sprouts. The soup is mixed with a bit of lemon or tamarind for the natural sour flavor. The soup is usually eaten with rice or rice vermicelli, a meal made for hot summer days.
2.11. Tofu in tomato sauce
Tofu in combination with tomato sauce is a simple but incredibly tasty dish. Tofu is cut into smaller pieces and deep fried, then added in the tomato sauce, green onion and other spices and herbs. The dish is eaten alongside rice and is very popular among the common folk of Vietnam.
2.12. Vegan Vietnamese meatloaf
Vegan meatloaf is made from minced green beans, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. It has a natural sweet taste, soft and a nice fragrance. Usually appearing during traditional holidays like Tet or at family parties, it is a healthy and tasty food.
3. FAMOUS VEGAN RESTAURANT IN VIETNAM
Vietnam has many well-known vegan restaurants. Below are some of the most popular among tourists.
Currently, TrustVisa is working with 2 reputable partners which are Paypal and TazaPay to provide our customers with efficient, reliable and fast payment options.
3.1. Well-known vegan restaurants in Ha Noi
If you want to experience vegan food these are some of the most popular places in Ha Noi:
- An Lạc Vegan restaurant (Address: 109 Trần Hưng Đạo street, Cửa Nam ward, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội): It has a diverse menu and a peaceful, spacious interior, suitable for quiet meals.
- Ưu Đàm Vegan restaurant (Address: 55 Nguyễn Du Street, Nguyễn Du Ward, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội): Ưu đàm is famous for creative vegan dish and a spacious luxurious interior. This is an ideal place for anyone looking for high-end vegan food.
- Nàng Tấm Vegan Rice (Address: 79A Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội): Nàng Tấm is a restaurant that exists for a long time and known for its traditional, tasty vegan dishes.
- Loving Hut Vegan restaurant (Address: 147b Âu Cơ Street, Tây Hồ district, Hà Nội): This is a chain of vegan restaurants that is famous throughout Vietnam with many branches in Ha Noi. Loving Hut is known for its diverse vegan dishes, from Europe to Asia.
- Bồ Đề Tâm Vegan restaurant (Address: 65 Quán Sứ Street, Cửa Nam Ward, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội): This place is loved for its quiet and warm interior, with freshly made vegan dishes capable of charming all customers.
- Vị Lai Vegan restaurant (Address: 67 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội): With a modern interior and creative vegan dishes, Vị Lai is a favourite destination of many tourists.
3.2. Famous vegan restaurants in Da Nang
The coastal city of Da Nang also has plenty of options for vegans.
- Tâm Châu Vegan restaurant (Address: 50-52 Lê Mạnh Trinh Street, Phước Mỹ ward, Sơn Trà district, Đà Nẵng): Famous for its tasty food, spacious and peaceful interior.
- Nhà hàng Chay Ngọc Chi (Address: 202 Hoàng Diệu Street, Hải Châu district, Đà Nẵng): Famous for its diverse menu all of the dishes will capture your attention even though they are vegan dishes.
- Bồ Đề Vegan restaurant (Address: 588 Ông Ích Khiêm Street, Thanh Khê district, Đà Nẵng): This restaurant has a spacious and cozy interior, in combination with tasty food makes it a favourite destination of tourists.
- Hoa Đà Vegan restaurant (Address: 27/2 Đường Thái Phiên Street, Hải Châu district, Đà Nẵng): A small but cozy and cutely designed restaurant with a very diverse menu.
- Tâm Viên Vegan restaurant (Address: 55 Bế Văn Đàn Street, Chính Gián Ward, Thanh Khê district, Đà Nẵng): Tâm Viên has a distinctive style that reminiscence of a traditional northern family home. It also has a diverse menu consisting of European and Asian dishes.
3.3. Famous vegan restaurants in Ho Chi Minh city
Below are some recommendations for when you want to experience vegan food in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Phương Mai Vegan (Address: 82/86F Võ Thị Sáu Street, 1st district, HCM city): Famous for creative vegan food, spacious and comfortable interior Phương Mai Vegan is a perfect destination for people interested in vegan food.
- Café Be An Vegetarian (Address: Sài Gòn Garden, 99 Nguyễn Huệ street, 1st district, HCM city): A part of Sài Gòn Garden, this vegan coffee place serves not just vegan dishes but also spacious and peaceful green zones.
- Buddha Chay (Address: 31 Đặng Tất street, 1st district, HCM city): With a diverse and tasteful menu, Buddha Chay is one of the most beloved vegan restaurant in Sai Gon.
- Hum Vegan restaurant (Address: 32 – 34 Võ Văn Tần street, 3rd district, HCM city): Famous for its luxurious interior and delicate vegan dishes, Hum is a must visit place for anyone desires to enjoy high-end vegan food.
- Chay Garden (Address: 52 Võ Văn Tần street, 3rd district, HCM city): Have a spacious, quiet interior, and own a diverse menu full of tasteful and delicious food.
- Chan Chan Noodle (Address: 25A Ngô Quang Huy street, Thảo Điền district, Thủ Đức city, HCM city): A newer restaurant compare to others on the list but incredibly famous because of the owners Ngô Thanh Vân (an actress, model and a movie director). The restaurant has an open interior with historical style in combination with create, unique menu.
If you ever have a chance to come to visit Vietnam, besides enjoying traditional local cuisine (pho, spring rolls etc…) you can also try to enjoy the same food but vegan version. TrustVisa believes that Vietnam has more than enough options to satisfy your taste.