Travel Tips

Vegetarian Food in Vietnam for Indians: What to Eat and What to Ask

Kaushik RK

Co-founder, Trripah · 21 Oct 2026 · 5 min read

Vegetarian Food in Vietnam for Indians: What to Eat and What to Ask

Vietnam is easier for vegetarians than it looks, if you know the word 'chay'. Here is what to eat, what to ask, and where to look in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Quick answer: Look for restaurants marked chay (vegetarian). Ho Chi Minh City has the widest range of vegetarian food in Vietnam, and Hanoi has a solid and growing scene. Always ask about fish sauce, which is in many dishes, and ask for vegetarian pho (pho chay) rather than just meat removed.

Is Vietnam good for vegetarians?

Yes, with some care. Dedicated vegetarian restaurants, called quan chay, are spread across most neighbourhoods in Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City has the most variety, though quality varies, so read recent reviews. Vegetarian numbers are often tied to Buddhist temples and lunar-calendar days, when more places serve vegetarian food.

What should you say to order vegetarian?

Use "chay" (vegetarian). For pho, ask for pho chay and mention it: the broth is usually vegetable-based, so a pho with the meat taken out is not the same. For banh mi, ask for "khong mayonnaise" to avoid the egg-based spread.

What do you need to watch for?

Fish sauce, shrimp paste and meat stock appear in many dishes. A "vegetarian" label does not always mean fish sauce is left out, so say it explicitly.

Where can you eat in Hanoi?

In the Old Quarter, sources name Uu Dam (gourmet vegan), Veggie Castle (vegan buffet) and the KOMBO chain (vegan fast food).

Where can you eat in Ho Chi Minh City?

Chay Garden is a Michelin-listed option with a wide menu of traditional and contemporary vegetarian food.

Can you find Indian restaurants in Vietnam?

We could not verify specific Indian restaurants in these searches, so ask your hotel or check recent reviews. Tour operators can arrange Indian meals on a group trip, and our Vietnam tour packages can include them.