Da Nang pancakes, Da Lat grilled rice paper, Dien Khanh wet rice paper, bun ken, and braised fish are suggested dishes if you plan to travel halfway across the country this Lunar New Year.
![]() |
The 2024 Travel Trends Study recently released by Booking.com shows that 73% of Vietnamese travelers want to explore dishes on their “must-try” list when setting foot in a new land.
“Food and travel go hand in hand, as demonstrated by our 2024 Travel Trends Study. We’ve seen that Vietnamese travelers are increasingly interested in discovering “must-try” delicacies at their destinations. Buckle up for a taste of Vietnam and get ready to open your taste buds this Tet and on your next trip,” said Varun Grover, Country Manager of Booking.com in Vietnam.
Based on food and destination searches, Booking.com has come up with a list of 5 spring travel destinations and dishes that are loved and recommended by many travelers.
Danang
Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang offers traditional dishes that are rich in the identity of both the north and south, with a harmonious combination of colors, flavors and cooking methods. This city owns the most beautiful beaches along the central coast, so it can be said that seafood plays a key role in the cuisine here. Along with that, spices commonly used in the central region such as lemongrass, chili, turmeric, and garlic also contribute to increasing the richness and sophistication of each dish.
![]() |
Danang pancakes. |
Some must-try dishes when visiting Da Nang are banh xeo with crispy, moderately thick crust, shrimp or beef filling with bean sprouts and other fresh ingredients, or nem lui with lemongrass skewers and fresh minced pork, usually served with rice paper and raw vegetables.
Dalat
Nestled on the Lam Vien plateau in the Central Highlands, Da Lat is one of the perfect destinations for “escape from the heat” with its cool and pleasant climate. In addition, the city of thousands of flowers is also a popular choice for tourists during Tet to admire the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place from January to February. And in the cool embrace of Da Lat, filter coffee - the famous Vietnamese coffee - will open your senses with fragrant notes.
![]() |
Dalat grilled rice paper. |
When coming to Da Lat, tourists can try local dishes such as sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, grilled rice paper or artichoke soup in the cool atmosphere of the mountains and forests.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of the 6 coastal cities in the top 10 most searched destinations in Vietnam for this Tet holiday. Famous for its beautiful beaches, attractive cultural sites and vibrant nightlife, Nha Trang is an ideal suggestion for "fans" of water sports during the upcoming New Year holidays, or those who simply want to enjoy a beach trip before the hot and humid summer arrives.
![]() |
Dien Khanh wet rice cake. |
Coming to Nha Trang, visitors can enjoy jellyfish vermicelli made from crispy jellyfish pieces, fragrant fish cakes, served with vermicelli in a sweet broth or banh can - a type of cake made from rice flour, filled with shrimp, squid and eggs, or Dien Khanh wet cake - a dish made from rice flour and tapioca flour mixed with water, topped with scallion oil, shredded meat, minced dried shrimp and crushed green beans.
Vung Tau
As one of the most accessible coastal cities from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is an ideal weekend stopover for tourists who have spent time exploring Ho Chi Minh City. Not only famous for its beaches, Vung Tau has many other interesting things for tourists to explore, such as trails suitable for trekking and hiking or historical sites that are attractive to tourists who want to learn more about the city's history.
![]() |
Vung Tau pancakes. |
Enjoying seafood is a must when visiting Vung Tau. Some famous local dishes include: Hu tieu muc - a perfect combination of rich broth made from squid, served with soft meatballs and herbs; banh khot - a type of cake made from rice flour with shrimp filling, served with papaya and raw vegetables.
For those who love food that stimulates the taste buds, stingray hotpot with fresh stingray meat marinated with spices, fatty and with a spicy and sour broth is a perfect choice.
Ho Chi Minh City
Another culinary hub of the country is Ho Chi Minh City, which sets itself apart with its rich and multi-layered cuisine. The city’s tropical climate creates an intriguing mix of spicy, sweet and salty flavors with fresh ingredients, combined with a natural sweetness. Similar to Vietnamese cuisine in general, dishes from Ho Chi Minh City use a lot of raw vegetables and spices to balance the flavors of each dish.
![]() |
Braised fish in clay pot |
Must-try dishes include broken rice and braised fish in a clay pot – usually goby fish braised with rock sugar to give it its characteristic dark brown colour. Of course, the iconic Vietnamese banh mi, made from baguettes with a variety of fillings and sauces, is also on the list of delicacies voted by the world food map TasteAtlas.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc - the largest island in Vietnam with famous clear blue beaches, is an ideal destination for tourists who love underwater activities. With a rich marine ecosystem, Phu Quoc offers diving enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful scenery from colorful coral reefs to diverse marine life.
In addition to being known for its beautiful beaches, Phu Quoc is also considered the "fish sauce capital" of Vietnam, which has contributed significantly to the unique flavors of local dishes.
![]() |
Phu Quoc vermicelli. |
Some must-try dishes when visiting Phu Quoc include: Bun Ken - a delicious broth made from soft ground anchovies or silver fish, with the rich flavor of coconut milk and curry powder, served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce; Herring Salad - a salad served with vermicelli, grated coconut, raw vegetables, and a dipping sauce of chili, garlic, peanuts, and fish sauce; or Bun Quay - a light broth made from typical rice vermicelli broth served with seafood, served with a dipping sauce that can be mixed to your liking.
Source
Comment (0)