Ho Chi Minh City (as it once was, Saigon) has turned into a foodie paradise in Southeast Asia, and we are past the time when it was just known for its meat dishes. Whether you are a full-on vegan, a pescatarian, or just looking to include more plants in your diet during your trip, you will find a great choice of options all around the city.
In the city, you’ll find authentic Vietnamese pho and banh mi right alongside Indian curries and even our British comfort food options. But not all of the restaurants are created equal, which is why it pays to know which ones to go to and which to avoid for a much better trip.
Here is a list of our favourite vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, which also includes a few of the places we did not care for as much.
Best for Vegans and Vegetarians in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Steamy Beans Coffee and Cuisine
In District 1, Hot Beans Coffee and Cuisine is a great place for breakfast and quality coffee.
One of its greatest features is the variety of plant-based milk options we have, which, in some cases, is still very hard to find in Vietnam.
What to Order
Iced oat milk Americano
Avocado toast with homemade baked beans
Vietnamese cold coffee (or with milk if you prefer).
Why Visit?
Excellent specialty coffee
Great breakfast menu
Cozy atmosphere
Convenient location in District 1
Best For
Breakfast
Coffee lovers
Remote workers
Casual brunch
2. Tandoori Indian Restaurant
After some time in Vietnamese food, Tandoor provides a change which has authentic Indian dishes.
The restaurant is known for large portions, which also include many options for vegetarians and vegans.
Recommended Dishes
Vegetable Jalfrezi
Garlic naan
Mixed vegetable curries
Things to Know
Some spice levels are unexpected.
Portions are very generous.
Staff will have that option for you.
Best For
Indian food lovers
Large dinners
Vegetarian curries
3. Veggie Saigon Restaurant Also Recommended
On the first floor of a building, you’ll find Veggie Saigon, which is a great value choice for those looking for vegan restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
The family-owned atmosphere and very friendly owners make it even more so.
Recommended Dishes
Vegan fish
Vegan pork chops with pak choi
Fresh juices
Highlights
Extremely affordable
Friendly owners
Authentic Vietnamese vegan dishes
Great atmosphere
Minor Downsides
Rice quality can be inconsistent.
Mock meats don’t compare to real.
Despite some of that which is not perfect, it is one of the best budget-friendly vegan restaurants in the city.
4. Foul Vegan Also Highly Recommen
If you have been in Vietnam for a few weeks and all of a sudden you are craving familiar Western dishes, Filthy Vegan is the place for you.
Operated by a British expatriate, this restaurant, which is very much a quirk serve up vegan versions of classic British dishes.
Popular Dishes
Vegan fish and chips
Steak and kidney pie
Full English breakfast
Vegan roast dinner
Hot dogs
Desserts
Vegan ice cream
Cheesecake (when available)
Why People Love It
Fantastic comfort food
Fun atmosphere
Friendly owner
Resident cat named Snowflake
Best For
Homesick travellers
Groups
Comfort food lovers
5. Ch’ay 365
Recommended by the owner of Filthy Vegan, Chay 355, which we found to be a great breakfast spot.
In Vietnam, “chay” means vegetarian, and at our restaurant, we serve only vegan food.
Must-Try Items
Spicy tofu bánh mì
Mixed vegan meat bánh mì
Salted oat milk coffee
Salted coffee is a very unique drink from Vietnam, and to my surprise, it is also very delicious.
Best For
Breakfast
Quick lunches
Vietnamese street food
Less Impressive Restaurants
Bon’s Vegan Bistro
Although we had high expectations, Bon’s Vegan Bistro did not live up to them.
What Worked
Mushroom pho
Attractive interior
What Didn’t
Poor coffee
Bland pita filling
Limited menu availability
The pho had a hit; the rest of the meal did not.
Verdict
Worth it only if you’re in the area and into pho.
Summary of Recommendations
Restaurant Cuisine Rating Best For
Hot Beans, which also does Coffee. Cuisine: Café. Breakfast.
Veggie Saigon Restaurant: Vietnamese Vegan Budget-oriented menu options.
Filthy Vegan British Vegan Comfort food.
Chay 365 Vietnamese Vegan Bánh mì breakfast.
Tandoor Indian Bistro Indian Veg curries.
Bon’s Vegan Eatery Vegan Cafe Pho only.
Tips for Vegetarians and Vegans in Ho Chi Minh City
Many Vietnamese restaurants will put together vegetarian versions of their typical dishes if you ask.
Chay” is a term for vegetarian or vegan options, which in turn makes it an easy word to remember when you are out looking for a restaurant.
Vietnamese coffee is great, but in many places you will not be able to get plant-based milk; instead, look for cafes that offer oat or soy.
District 1 is home to the greatest number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, which in turn makes it the best area to stay if what you want is great food choices.
Don’t wait to try out that mom-and-pop vegan restaurant; many of the best plant-based dishes in town are in these hidden gems rather than in the large chain stores.
Final Verdict
In terms of vegetarian and vegan food choices, Ho Chi Minh City is a great destination in Vietnam. From traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho and bánh mì to Indian curries and very comforting British food options, the city’s plant-based dining is very diverse and is also a growing trend.
For new guests, we recommend Hot Beans Coffee Cuisine for breakfast. At Veggie Saigon Restaurant, you’ll find very affordable and very true to local flavours. Also, try out Filthy Vegan, which does very satisfying comfort food, and Chay 365 has what we think is the best vegan bánh mì in town. As for Bon’s Vegan Bistro, the atmosphere is great, but the food and coffee may not live up to all diners’ hopes.
In Ho Chi Minh City, you can go for a wide range of options, whether you are vegan, vegetarian or just looking to try out more meat-free meals. What you find is that the plant-based dining is just as memorable as their famous street food.
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