Ordering food in Vietnam is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have as a language learner.

You’ll discover that street food vendors and restaurant staff appreciate it when you try to speak their language.

Knowing basic Vietnamese food vocabulary ensures you get exactly what you want to eat.

This guide covers the most important words and phrases you need for a smooth dining experience.

I’ll break down the names of common meats, vegetables, drinks, and the essential phrases for ordering your meal.

Common meats and seafood

Meat and seafood are central to many delicious Vietnamese dishes.

You’ll often see these words listed right after the name of the main dish on a menu.

For example, a noodle soup made with beef is simply called phở bò.

There’s a distinct regional difference in how you say “pork” depending on where you are in Vietnam.

People in Northern Vietnam use the word thịt lợn for pork.

People in Southern Vietnam use the word thịt heo instead.

Here are the most common meats and seafood you’ll encounter.

Noodles and rice

You’ll rarely sit down for a Vietnamese meal without eating some form of rice or noodles.

Rice is so important to the culture that the phrase for eating a meal literally translates to “eat rice”.

There are also many different types of noodles used in different broths and dry dishes.

The flat rice noodles used in pho are completely different from the round rice noodles used in other soups.

Learn these staple ingredients to easily navigate any food stall menu.

Vegetables and herbs

Fresh herbs and vegetables give Vietnamese food its incredibly distinct and vibrant flavor.

A giant basket of fresh greens is almost always served alongside soups and savory pancakes.

Just like with meat, there are some regional variations when naming herbs.

Cilantro is called rau mùi in Northern Vietnam and ngò rí in Southern Vietnam.

Here’s the essential vocabulary for your greens.

Common drinks

Staying hydrated is very important in the hot and humid Vietnamese climate.

Iced tea is the standard beverage served at almost every street food stall and cafe.

Vietnam is also world-famous for its strong and sweet coffee culture.

Here’s how you can order your favorite beverages.

Essential phrases for ordering

Knowing how to ask for your food is just as important as knowing the ingredient names.

The most useful phrase you’ll ever learn for ordering in Vietnamese is cho tôi.

This phrase literally translates to “give me” and it’s a perfectly polite way to order.

You simply say cho tôi followed by the quantity and the item you want.

Sometimes you might need to specify your personal preferences or dietary restrictions.

If you don’t like spicy food, it’s very important to memorize how to say so.

When you’re finished with your wonderful meal, getting the bill is very simple.

There’s a slight difference between the North and South when asking to pay.

In the South, you’ll generally ask them to calculate the money.

In the North, it’s more common to use a slightly more formal word for payment.

Using these simple phrases will make dining out in Vietnam a fun and entirely stress-free experience.