Jan - 06 - 2026
Famous food streets in Ho Chi Minh City offer a sensory explosion, serving as the vibrant, beating heart of Vietnamese culinary culture. The true taste of Saigon is found on its bustling sidewalks and down its hidden alleys. This GTrip guide is your ultimate ticket to a delicious adventure, providing everything you need to eat like a local. You’ll discover where to find the most authentic bowls of noodle soup, the crispiest Banh Xeo, and the most refreshing rice paper salads. Get ready to explore the city's most cherished culinary hotspots, one incredible bite at a time.
1. Ho Thi Ky Street - One of the famous food streets in Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Saigon’s vibrant “Cambodian Market”. Ho Thi Ky Food Street is an unforgettable dive into a unique cultural and culinary fusion. The air is thick with the tantalizing smells of grilled meats and fragrant spices, creating an energetic atmosphere that pulls you from one stall to the next. While it’s also a massive flower market, the food is the real star after sunset. The must-try specialty here is an authentic Cambodian-style noodle soup, known for its distinct broth and toppings. You’ll find an incredible variety of other snacks that showcase this cross-cultural influence, including grilled beef skewers with chili sauce, pumpkin pudding, and crispy fried insects for the truly adventurous eater.
Ho Thi Ky Street is a lively sensory explosion where fragrant street food, Cambodian-style noodle soup, and bold cross-cultural snacks take center stage
2. Su Van Hanh Street
If you’re looking for variety, Su Van Hanh Street is your paradise. This long, bustling road in former District 10 is a legendary destination for food lovers, packed with an almost overwhelming number of options. The experience is a fast-paced and exciting culinary tour, where you can sample multiple dishes in one visit. It’s particularly famous for its vast selection of sweet soups (Che), with vendors offering dozens of variations, such as Che Khuc Bach and durian sweet soup. Beyond desserts, you can find excellent versions of classic Vietnamese dishes, including Banh Xeo (sizzling pancakes) and Bot Chien (fried rice flour cake). It’s a favorite spot for students and locals, making it the perfect place to feel the city's youthful energy.
Su Van Hanh Street in former District 10 is a legendary destination for food lovers
3. Van Kiep Street
Nestled between former Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan Districts, Van Kiep Street is a compact but explosive food hub that comes alive at night. The street is densely packed with vendors, creating a vibrant and slightly chaotic atmosphere that is pure Saigon. This is the place locals go for a satisfying and affordable feast. Van Kiep's reputation is built on its incredible grilled dishes, especially its fragrant Bun Thit Nuong (grilled pork with rice noodles) and Nem Lui (grilled pork skewers). Seafood lovers will also be delighted by the many stalls serving grilled octopus, scallops, and various snail dishes (Oc). The close proximity of the stalls means you can easily hop from one to another, sampling a wide array of flavors in a single evening. It’s a truly local experience where the food is delicious, fast, and full of flavor.
Van Kiep Street is famous for its variety of food
4. Co Giang Street
For a more laid-back and authentic food experience in former District 1, skip the tourist-heavy areas and head straight to Co Giang Street. Running parallel to the backpacker hub of Pham Ngu Lao, this street offers a refreshingly local vibe. It’s a place where neighborhood residents gather for their daily meals, meaning the quality is consistently high and the prices are fair. The street is a treasure trove of classic Southern Vietnamese comfort food. You can find vendors who have perfected their one signature dish over decades. Standout options include hearty bowls of Bun Thai (Thai-style hotpot noodles), savory Bo La Lot (grilled beef in wild betel leaves), and delicious Com Tam (broken rice with grilled pork). Visiting Co Giang feels like you’ve been let in on a local secret, offering a genuine taste of Saigon’s daily life.
Co Giang Street offers consistently great Southern Vietnamese comfort dishes like bun Thai, bo la lot, and com tam at fair prices
5. Ha Ton Quyen Street - Dumpling Area
Welcome to the undisputed kingdom of dumplings in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the city’s Chinatown (Cho Lon) in former District 11, Ha Ton Quyen Street is a short but mighty road dedicated almost exclusively to one thing: Sui Cao. This is not just a street with a few dumpling stalls. It's a culinary institution. The entire street is famous for its Chinese-style Sui Cao (dumplings), served either in a savory bone broth, deep-fried until golden, or steamed. The dumplings are handmade, plump, and filled with a juicy mixture of shrimp and pork. Generations-old family recipes are the secret behind their incredible flavor. The atmosphere is no-frills and focused entirely on the food. Pull up a plastic stool and prepare for a dumpling experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Ha Ton Quyen Street is where generations-old stalls serve handmade Sui Cao filled with juicy shrimp and pork, enjoyed in broth, steamed, or deep-fried
6. Vinh Khanh Food Street
If you hear loud cheers of “Mot, hai, ba, dzo!” (One, two, three, cheers!), you’re likely on Vinh Khanh Food Street in former District 4. This is Saigon’s most famous destination for all things seafood and snails, known locally as ‘Oc’. The street is long, wonderfully chaotic, and always buzzing with energy. Groups of friends and families gather at plastic tables that spill onto the sidewalk, sharing plates of delicious shellfish and ice-cold beer. Vinh Khanh is the ultimate destination for Oc (snails), which are prepared in countless ways. You can eat snails grilled with scallion oil, sauteed in coconut milk, or steamed with lemongrass. Beyond snails, you’ll find a huge variety of other fresh seafood, including grilled scallops, clams, and shrimp. This street is a loud, fun, and quintessentially Saigonese social event.
Vinh Khanh Food Street is one of the most famous destinations for seafood lovers
7. 200 Xom Chieu Alley
Dive deep into the local food scene with a trip to Alley 200 on Xom Chieu Street, another gem in the foodie paradise of former District 4. It’s a raw, narrow, and wonderfully chaotic alley where you can find some of the best and most affordable street food in the city. The alley is crammed with over 20 different food stalls, each serving up delicious, no-nonsense dishes to a loyal crowd of locals. The standout dish here is Pha Lau, a flavorful stew of beef offal cooked in coconut milk, served with instant noodles or bread. It’s a true local delicacy. Other must-tries in this bustling corridor include savory flan, fried fish balls, and a unique "pha lau" grill. Navigating the crowds is part of the fun, rewarding you with an authentic and unforgettable culinary experience.
Alley 200 on Xom Chieu Street is a narrow, lively food alley packed with local stalls, famous for affordable street food and especially its rich coconut-milk pha lau
8. Tran Khac Chan Street
Tran Khac Chan Street in former Phu Nhuan District is a hidden gem that shines brightest after dark, specializing in mouthwatering grilled delights. While not as sprawling as some other food streets, its concentration of quality vendors makes it a top destination for barbecue lovers. The street is famous for its lively yet relaxed atmosphere, where the smoky aroma of grilled meat fills the air. Its signature allure is the variety of "Nuong" (grilled) stalls. The most popular choice is grilled chicken feet seasoned with chili salt, but you'll also find incredible grilled chicken wings, pork breasts, and squid. These are often served with pickled vegetables to cut through the richness. It’s a fantastic place to gather with friends, grab some cheap local beer, and enjoy simple, perfectly executed grilled food.
Tran Khac Chan Street in former Phu Nhuan District comes alive at night with smoky nuong stalls, famous for chili-salt grilled chicken feet, wings, pork, and squid
9. Phan Van Han Street
For those seeking an authentic, budget-friendly food adventure away from the main tourist trail, Phan Van Han Street in former Binh Thanh District is a perfect choice. This street is a go-to for local students and workers, which is always a sign of delicious food at great prices. The atmosphere is decidedly local and unpretentious. The street may be small, but it punches well above its weight in flavor and variety. Phan Van Han is particularly known for its exceptional Bot Chien, a popular Saigon snack of pan-fried rice flour cakes with egg and papaya slaw. You will also find stalls serving other beloved Vietnamese comfort foods, including savory sticky rice (Xoi Man), nourishing noodle soups, and a variety of sweet desserts. It’s a fantastic spot to immerse yourself in the everyday culinary life of Saigon.
Phan Van Han Street is a favorite local food hub where students and workers gather to enjoy affordable, no-frills street food, especially the standout Bot Chien
10. Alley 76 Hai Ba Trung Street
Sometimes the best food is found in the most unassuming places, and Alley 76 on Hai Ba Trung Street is a prime example. Tucked away from a major road in former District 1, this tiny alley transforms into a bustling food hub every afternoon. What makes this spot special is its focus on a few specific dishes, each prepared to perfection by long-standing vendors. It’s a microcosm of Vietnamese street food culture. This alley is legendary for three specific dishes served by different families: Banh Xeo, Bun Mam, and Chao. The sizzling sound of Banh Xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes) being poured is iconic here. Next to it, you can find a rich and pungent Bun Mam (fermented fish noodle soup), and a comforting Chao Long (pork organ porridge). Come early, as these popular vendors often sell out quickly.
Alley 76 on Hai Ba Trung Street is a tiny but legendary food alley famous for three expertly made classics, sizzling banh xeo, bold bun mam, and comforting chao long
11. Pham The Hien Street
Running along a canal in former District 8, Pham The Hien Street offers a long and scenic stretch for food exploration, especially in the evenings. This street has a distinctly local charm and feels a world away from the city center's hustle. It’s known for offering a huge variety of snacks and light meals at incredibly low prices. The street is a snack paradise, famous for its cheap and diverse offerings like Banh Trang Nuong (grilled rice paper pizza) and various fried skewers. During the Christmas season, this street becomes especially magical, as the local Catholic community decorates the entire area with spectacular light displays, transforming it into a festive food destination. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely evening stroll, stopping to sample different treats like steamed corn, fried bananas, and refreshing smoothies along the way.
Pham The Hien Street is a lively local food strip known for cheap snacks like banh trang nuong (grilled rice paper) and fried skewers
12. Nguyen Thuong Hien Street
For anyone who loves Vietnamese snacks, Nguyen Thuong Hien Street in former District 3 is an essential pilgrimage. Though it’s a relatively short street, it holds the prestigious title of "Banh Trang Tron paradise". This street is the undisputed champion for Banh Trang Tron (mixed rice paper), a zesty and addictive snack made with shredded rice paper, dried shrimp, quail eggs, green mango, and a tangy dressing. You’ll see dozens of vendors expertly mixing huge bowls of this iconic dish for eager customers. Beyond the famous salad, the street is also a hotspot for fresh fruit juices and smoothies, with shops blending a rainbow of tropical fruits. It’s the perfect place to grab a light, flavorful snack and a refreshing drink while soaking in the youthful, energetic vibe of the area.
Nguyen Thuong Hien Street is the ultimate hotspot for Vietnamese snacks, famous for its endless Banh Trang Tron vendors and refreshing tropical fruit juices
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Your culinary journey through the famous food streets of Ho Chi Minh City is just beginning. This guide highlights the best of the best, such as the seafood feasts of Vinh Khanh, the dumpling heaven of Ha Ton Quyen. Each street offers a unique window into the city's soul and a chance to taste dishes perfected over generations. Our advice from GTrip is simple: be adventurous. Point at something that looks interesting, pull up a plastic stool, and dive in. The friendly vendors and incredible flavors will reward you every time.
