Is it possible to find any good vegetarian food in Saigon?

Fortunately, it is, now more than ever. US travel website When On Earth has listed Ho Chi Minh City among the ideal cities worldwide for vegans and vegetarians. The city is named one of the ten destinations that “tickle veggie-loving taste buds” as it offers a wide range of veggie-friendly and vegan options.

However, what might be a challenge for vegetarian when in Saigon?

The most common issue vegetarian and vegan travelers usually face in Vietnam is to explain that they want meatless dishes.

So, here is a small tip:

You can look for the word “Quan chay” or “Nha hang chay” which means vegetarian restaurant. “Quan” is more of a local restaurant where as “Nha Hang” is referred to fancy once. But many general restaurants are also willing to make vegetarian dishes if one just orders “CHAY”. 

You can also learn the phrase or write it down on your note “Toi an chay” (I’m vegetarian) to give notice to any vendor of your dietary habits. Then it shouldn’t be a problem.

What veggie-friendly and vegan options are available?

1. Chả giò chay: Vegetarian fried spring rolls
2. Gỏi cuốn chay: Vegetarian fresh spring rolls
3. Phở / Bún Huế chay: Vegetarian noodle soup (Pho/Hue style noodle soup)
4. Bánh Xèo chay: Vietnamese Vegetarian Pancake
5. Gỏi (Salad): Gỏi bông chuối / gỏi mít non: Banana flower salad / jackfruit salad
6. Cơm tấm: Broken rice
7. Lẩu nấm: Mushroom hotpot 

Where to find vegan and vegetarian food?

There are a variety of options which you can choose from. Here are 12 awesome vegetarian restaurants you can easily find in the downtown of Saigon and adjacent areas. 

* BUDGET

1. Tín Nghĩa: 9 Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1 [MAP]

Saigon's 100-Year-Old Vegetarian Quán: The restaurant's menu offers a good variety of Vietnamese vegetarian dishes (it is also vegan-friendly too), including the standard rice and noodles as well as Vietnamese curries, soups and main dishes, or dishes served with plain rice. In the kitchen at the back, Tin Nghia's chefs don't use recipes or measuring tools to cook their dishes; they've had 100 years of practice to perfect each one.

• Open hours: 10:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 35,000 - 60,000 VND

2. Pháp Hoa: 212A/52 Nguyen Trai, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 06:30 - 20:30
• Price range: 30,000 - 60,000 VND

3. Quán Chay Nhà Tôi: 16 Tran Dinh Xu, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 7:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 25,000 - 55,000 VND 

4. Phở Chay Như: 54 Truong Quyen Street, District 3 [MAP]

• Open hours: 8:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 30,000 - 55,000 VND

* MID-RANGE

1. Liên Hương Restaurant: 10D Tran Nhat Duat Str., Tan Dinh Ward, District 1 [MAP]

One of the very rare vegetarian restaurants in Saigon that serve “Food as medicine” style. The owner of the restaurant is also a Master Eastern Medicine. Every dish is well prepared followed by Yin and Yang philosophy with the combinations of a variety of spices and herbs. Noticeably, there is no MSG  in their food.

Although, Lien Huong is not a fancy space. Their prices are not on the budget side, however the place has is almost always crowded thanks to the high quality of each dishes served here. It would be a pity to miss a bowl of Pho or Mi Tiem here. But actually, none of dishes here can  really be left out of your list.

• Open hours: 8:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 60,000 - 180,000 VND

2. Bông Súng: 86 Nguyen Du Street, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 07:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 20,000 - 250.000 VND

3. Chay Mandala: 110 Suong Nguyet Anh Street, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 09:00 - 21:00
• Price range: 50,000 - 150.000 VND

4. Ba Lá Restaurant: 32A Cao Ba Nha, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 8:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 40,000 - 180,000 VND

5. Sen: 171 Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District [MAP]

• Open hours: 07:00 - 14:00 | 16:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 30,000 - 110,000 VND

6. Saigon Vegan: 378/3 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3 [MAP]

Saigon Vegan, a rustic vegan restaurant with an extensive menu of over 100 healthy food at moderate prices, with Vegan owners. Lots of tofu dishes and soya chicken/beef, soups, banh bao (dumpling) and more with no MSG. They serve coffee and other drinks with a preference of soya milk over cow milk for white coffee. Saigon Vegan also has a kids menu.

• Open hours: 7:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 35,000 - 80,000 VND

* SPLURGE

1. Hum Restaurant: 32 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3 [MAP] AND 32 Thi Sach, District 1 [MAP]

Hum Vegetarian is a tranquil and spacious café hidden down Vo Van Tan, specializing in a wide range of vegetarian Vietnamese and Thai-inspired signature dishes that boast a myriad of health benefits. There is also a branch located in the downtown.

• Open hours: 10:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 65,000 - 500,000 VND

2. Pi Vegetarian Bistro: 1st Floor, 19 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3 [MAP]

Pi dedicates itself to Vietnamese and Asian cuisine, with everything on the menu suitable for vegetarians, and what looks to be around 95 percent vegan-friendly too.

• Open hours: 9:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 60,000 - 200,000 VND

3. Tib Restaurant: 187 Ter Hai Ba Trung, District 1 [MAP] 

• Open hours: 11:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 80,000 - 205,000 VND

As a vegetarian lover team, we wish you enjoy your vegetarian food in Saigon. And if you take any tours from Innoviet, remember that we always have vegetarian options in all of our tours! Be vegan, be happy!