Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise, famous for its fresh herbs, rice noodles, and vibrant street food culture. However, if you are vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies, ordering food in a new country can be challenging—especially when eating at small local restaurants or street stalls where English isn’t widely spoken.
This guide from Chapi Tours will help you learn basic Vietnamese food terms and phrases so you can confidently order vegetarian or allergy-safe meals anywhere in Vietnam. You can even show this list to restaurant staff when ordering!
🥬 Vegetarian & Vegan Food in Vietnam
Good news: Vietnam is one of the easiest countries in Asia for vegetarians! Many Vietnamese people eat chay (vegetarian) meals on certain days of the lunar month for Buddhist reasons. Most cities have “quán chay” (vegetarian restaurants) that serve delicious local dishes made without meat or fish.
However, at regular restaurants, some dishes may contain fish sauce (nước mắm), shrimp paste (mắm tôm), or chicken broth. Always check before you order.
✅ Useful Vietnamese Phrases for Vegetarians & Vegans
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I am vegetarian | Tôi ăn chay | Toi an chai |
| I am vegan (no animal products) | Tôi ăn thuần chay | Toi an thwun chai |
| No meat, please | Không thịt, làm ơn | Khong teet, lam un |
| No fish or seafood, please | Không cá, không hải sản | Khong kah, khong hai san |
| No egg, please | Không trứng, làm ơn | Khong trung, lam un |
| No milk or cheese, please | Không sữa hoặc phô mai | Khong sua hoak fo mai |
| No fish sauce | Không nước mắm | Khong nuoc mam |
| Is this vegetarian? | Món này có phải món chay không? | Mon nai ko fai mon chai khong? |
| Do you have vegetarian food? | Quán có món chay không? | Quan ko mon chai khong? |
🍤 Common Ingredients to Watch Out For
Even dishes that look vegetarian may include hidden animal products. Here are some common ingredients to be aware of when ordering in Vietnam:
- Nước mắm – Fish sauce (used in most dipping sauces)
- Mắm tôm – Shrimp paste
- Nước dùng gà / bò – Chicken or beef broth
- Trứng – Egg
- Sữa – Milk
- Phô mai – Cheese
To be safe, always say “Tôi không ăn nước mắm” (I don’t eat fish sauce) or “Tôi ăn chay” when ordering at local eateries.
🌾 Food Allergies in Vietnam
If you have food allergies, communication is key. While English is spoken in tourist areas, many local restaurants may not fully understand complex allergies. It helps to learn a few phrases—or print this mini food dictionary to show to staff.
⚠️ Common Food Allergy Terms in Vietnamese
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I am allergic to … | Tôi bị dị ứng với … | Toi bee zee ung vuh … |
| Peanuts | Đậu phộng | Dau fong |
| Seafood | Hải sản | Hai san |
| Shellfish | Sò, tôm, cua | Saw, tom, kua |
| Eggs | Trứng | Trung |
| Milk | Sữa | Sua |
| Wheat / Gluten | Lúa mì | Lua mee |
| Soy | Đậu nành | Dau nanh |
| I can’t eat peanuts | Tôi không ăn đậu phộng | Toi khong an dau fong |
| This food contains peanuts | Món này có đậu phộng | Mon nai ko dau fong |
| Please make it without seafood | Làm ơn không cho hải sản | Lam un khong cho hai san |
| I’m allergic to seafood | Tôi bị dị ứng với hải sản | Toi bee zee ung vuh hai san |
🥢 Useful Phrases When Ordering Food
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Can you make it without meat? | Làm món này không có thịt được không? | Lam mon nai khong co teet duoc khong? |
| Please don’t add fish sauce | Làm ơn đừng cho nước mắm | Lam un dung cho nuoc mam |
| Does this have eggs? | Món này có trứng không? | Mon nai ko trung khong? |
| Can you cook with vegetable oil? | Làm ơn dùng dầu thực vật | Lam un zung dau thuk vut |
| Thank you, it’s delicious! | Cảm ơn, rất ngon! | Kahm un, rut ngon! |
🍚 Popular Vietnamese Vegetarian Dishes to Try
- Phở chay – Vegetarian noodle soup
- Bánh mì chay – Vegetarian baguette sandwich
- Bún riêu chay – Vegan tomato noodle soup
- Gỏi cuốn chay – Fresh spring rolls with tofu
- Cơm chay – Mixed rice with vegetables and tofu
- Đậu hũ chiên sả – Fried tofu with lemongrass
These dishes are widely available in major cities and even small countryside towns, especially around temples and local markets.
🌿 Final Tips for Enjoying Vietnamese Food
- Look for signs that say “Quán chay” (vegetarian restaurant).
- Always confirm: “Không nước mắm” (no fish sauce).
- Carry a translated allergy note or screenshot of the key phrases above.
- Try local vegetarian buffets at pagodas or Buddhist temples—they’re cheap and authentic!
With this quick guide, you can eat safely, taste freely, and experience the best of Vietnamese cuisine—whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or managing a food allergy. Wherever you travel in Vietnam, a warm smile and a respectful “Tôi ăn chay” will always go a long way!
