Want to truly try Vietnamese traditional foods, and beverages when traveling to Saigon? Don't forget to keep in mind the following street-food alley in Ho Chi Minh City to figure out and try Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnam is famous for the small alleys where people live and do business, such as selling food or beverages. For most Vietnamese people, especially those who live in Ho Chi Minh City, street-food alleys are the heaven where they can find truly traditional Vietnamese, sometimes at a cheap price. They are somehow characteristically particular features of Vietnam. Let’s explore which alleys in Ho Chi Minh City are well-known for street foods.
Street food Alley 177 Lý Tự Trọng, District 1
Located right at the city center, it is easy to find out for travelers for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City. This place is famous for Vietnamese snacks, such as fruit bowls, dumplings, fried noodles, or rice. After traveling around Bến Thành Market, this alley is the place that your mind looks for to eat. However, the minus point of this place is that the price is quite higher than other places due to its convenient location.
Alley 84 Nguyễn Du, District 1
One of the most famous places to have lunch for officers around the city center. Exploring this alley, travelers can try Vietnamese food and beverage at one time. Trying Bánh Canh or Bánh Căn, then buying a glass of sugar cane to blow off the spicy taste is the way Vietnamese people enjoy their meals. A bowl of Bánh Căn costs only 20.000 VND, what a good buy!
Alley 76 Hai Bà Trưng, District 1
The most famous street-food alley in town, it is located near the local walking street - Nguyễn Huệ. From the main street - Hai Bà Trưng, you can see all the views of this street-food alley that sellers are sitting close together. Here, you might get a little bit surprised and find it difficult to choose what you should try since everything looks delicious and well prepared. From chicken rice to Phở, Bánh Canh, everything is worth trying at a reasonable price. Buying a bowl of Bún, taking a seat at the eating area, and enjoying it with other local people to see how vivid the city is and how the younger generation in this city live. It should be noted that the eating area belongs to the beverage vendors; hence you have to buy drinks if you want to sit there, of course at a cheap price.
Alley 200 Xóm Chiếu, District 4
Located at a local market, this street-food alley is hidden from the vendors, making it quite hard to find. Far away from the tourist attractions in District 1, this alley District 4 is heaven for the younger generation with diversified menus, especially baby clams, oysters. The clam noodle of Ms. Lan is the most famous dish of the area attracting people every day with a full bowl of noodles and clams. Moreover, this place is also attractive thanks to some light snacks such as, Bánh Tráng Trộn (mixed rice-paper), and chè (sweet soup).
Alley 130 Hồ Bá Kiện, District 10
Besides some famous noodle soups, Vietnamese snacks also contribute to the reputation of Vietnamese cuisine. From beef hot pots to spring rolls, from mixed salads to some kinds of half-hatched eggs, you might not stop yourself from trying all of this in a quiet alley of District 10. Otherwise, you can try Bánh Bèo, Bánh Đúc, one of the most famous cuisines of Central Vietnam.
Alley 284 Lê Văn Sỹ, District 3
The slogan is considered that this street-food alley is “delicious - good - cheap”; therefore, this place is well-known for students in the region. It is believed that with 100.000 VND, you can eat and drink a lot, which is the best thing for food lovers. From clam noodle to clam rice, from bánh bèo to dumplings, the price for each one is less than 30.000 VND. Although the alley is quite small, it is full of vendors of food and beverage. It should be noted that Lê Văn Sỹ is a street famous for shopping; hence, you can spend time going there and do shopping, and then hide in this small alley to enjoy Vietnamese street foods.
Alley 285 Cách Mạng Tháng 8, District 10
Different from other street-food alleys, this alley is famous for “Dân nhậu”, the term used for the people hanging out and drinking beers. With tons of seafood restaurants and hot pots, BBQ, the alley is the best choice to gather at night or at the weekend with friends, co-workers to drink beers and enjoy street food.
Alley 245 Nguyễn Trãi, District 1
From street-food vendors to small local restaurants, in general, the price you have to pay is not expensive compared to other restaurants in District 1. You can especially try broken rice, one of the most popular foods of Vietnamese cuisine.
Alley 51 Cao Thắng, District 3
Vendors spread all in the alley making the space larger and well-aired. Here, you don’t need to worry to find the eating area as each vendor has its own plastic chairs for customers. This alley is also one of the most popular street-food heavens for teenagers. From the main meal to light snacks, everything is here. It should be noted that in Vietnam, rice, noodles are considered as the main meals, meanwhile, sweet soups and cakes, and so on are considered as light snacks.
Alleys at Nguyễn Thị Nhỏ street, District 11
One of the best places far away from the city center and for people to learn more about Vietnamese lifestyles is trying street foods at Nguyễn Thị Nhỏ street, District 11. Located in a small street, these vendors are different from other vendors in other alleys. They own their houses or spaces to sell food. From some small restaurants specializing in seafood to Bánh Xèo, Chả Lụi, they spread all around the street, even in some small alleys.
Alleys at Hồ Thị Kỷ flower market, District 10
Not only well-known as the flower market, but Hồ Thị Kỷ is also famous for street foods where some tourists come every night to enjoy and explore. Since this is one of the attractions for tourists to explore Vietnamese cuisine, the average price is quite expensive in general.