Is it possible to find any good vegetarian food in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)?

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 (Ho Chi Minh City)?

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: 150/10 Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão [MAP]

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

3. Quán Chay Nhà Tôi: 124 Đ. Nguyễn Văn Thủ, Đa Kao,  [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. Đu Đủ Xanh: 178A Hai Bà Trưng, Đa Kao, District 1 [MAP]

• Open hours: 07:00 - 22:00
• Price range: 70,000 - 250.000 VND

2. Bông Súng: 4 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3 [MAP]

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

3. Chay Sala: 71c Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai [MAP]

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

4. 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

* 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: 187/15 Đ. Điện Biên Phủ, Đa Kao, District 1. [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!