The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include:

Pho - the noodle soup with meat in it. It is very cheap at a 50c per bowl and usually well spiced. The main types are: Pho Bo with beef, Pho Bo Tai with rare beef fillets and Pho Ga with chicken.

Com - steamed white rice is eaten for lunch and dinner.

Nuoc Mam is the fermented fish sauce used to spice absolutely everything in Vietnam.

Cha Gio, deep-fried spring rolls.

Goi Ngo Sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts.

Banh Cuon, a steamed rice dumpling into which minced port and vegetables are rolled.

Bun Bo, rice vermicelli and vegetables served dry, or with beef soup. The dish originates in Hue, where it is called Bun Bo Hue.

Lau, Vietnamese hot pot, popularly served with fish (lau ca), goat (lau de) or vegetables only (lau rau).

Due to the strong Buddhist influence upon Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.