Ha Noi’s street food paradise captivates int’l visitors
VGP - Ha Noi continues to preserve its alluring street food identity amidst a modern pace of life. From pho and bun cha to egg coffee, those humble dishes have become “cultural ambassadors,” helping the capital receive continuous recognition on the global culinary map.
A food festival in Ha Noi attracts a lot of visitors - Photo: VGP/Minh Anh
Shining on int'l food map
Ha Noi was ranked second in the UK magazine Time Out's "10 best street food cities in Asia you need to eat through" list, which was released in recent September. The capital city was the only representative from Viet Nam to appear on this ranking.
This recognition not only brings pride to the people of Ha Noi but also affirms the special value of the city's cuisine in the world.
According to the magazine, Viet Nam's capital city is home to a treasure trove of foodie finds down narrow alleys, up winding concrete stairs and on crowded street corners.
"Hunt for a steaming bowl of northern-style pho down a dark hallway and up a winding staircase into the living room of Ms. Minh at Pho Hang Trong. Snag a stool at Banh Cuon Ba Loc for some banh cuon, a rice paper roll filled with minced pork and mushrooms", recommended the magazine.
"If you eat only one thing: Bun cha is Ha Noi's unofficial, official dish. An addictive umami broth with grilled pork meatballs and pork belly served alongside fresh vermicelli noodles for dipping", suggested Time Out.
The spread of Ha Noi's cuisine is playing a significant role in tourism recovery and growth. In the first nine months of this year, Ha Noi welcomed 26.07 million tourists, an increase of nearly 24 percent compared to the same period last year.
International visitors alone numbered 5.54 million, of whom 3.9 million stayed overnight. Tourism revenue reached approximately VND 98,360 billion (US$3.73 billion), an increase of over 20 percent year-on-year. These stable growth figures show that Ha Noi is maintaining its position as a leading attractive destination in the region.
It also demonstrates that Ha Noi's street food is one of the "magnets" drawing domestic and foreign travelers alike.
Ta Hien Street is crowded of foreign visitors at weekends - Photo: VGP
Street food-"cultural passport" that brings Ha Noi closer to foreigners
Ha Noi is not only appearing on international rankings but is also leaving marks on the experience of every visitor. Ted Aroi (a Taiwanese YouTuber with over 14,000 followers) spent an entire trip sampling 10 pho shops in the capital city.
Korean YouTuber Suhyang (with over 700,000 followers) shared that she had been longing to taste pho even before the plane landed, thereafter exploring banh mi nem khoai, beef fried rice with pickles, iced tea with lemon, and corn milk.
For her, Ha Noi cuisine is "the most wonderful reason to return many times."
Michael Brown, a British tourist, said what impressed him was not only the flavor of the food but also the atmosphere: "You can sit on a tiny plastic stool, talk with the vendor, enjoy pho or bun cha, and fully immerse in the local rhythm. It's an experience you can only have in Ha Noi." Those stories, when shared on social media or through personal travel journeys, have become an advertisement for the capital.
Alongside global acknowledgment, Ha Noi affirms the value of its cuisine through national heritage designations. In August 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism included three Ha Noi specialties in the list of national intangible cultural heritage, including the Thanh Tri rolled-rice-pancake craft, the making and enjoying La Vong grilled fish, and the making of Bat Trang ceremonial meals.
Each dish is not simply a taste experience but holds a story of history, culture, and community identity. They also stand as a testament to creativity, intergenerational transmission, and the pride of Hanoians.
In early 2025, Tripadvisor once again honored the city among the top 13 cities with leading culinary experiences worldwide. In 2024, Ha Noi was awarded by the World Culinary Awards as "Best Asian Culinary City Destination."
Earlier, the capital had repeatedly made its way into other prestigious rankings: Top 15 cities with the most attractive cuisine by Tripadvisor, top short-trip city food destinations, and top 25 food destinations globally in 2022.
These consecutive recognitions show that Ha Noi's cuisine has become a "cultural passport" that brings the city closer to international friends./.
