Street Vendors in Ho Chi Minh City: How and Where to find?

Locating street vendors in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is one of the best ways to experience the local culture and enjoy authentic, affordable Vietnamese food. Saigon is filled with street vendors selling everything from pho and banh mi to snacks, fruits, and local specialties. Here’s a guide on how and where to find street vendors in Ho Chi Minh City, when they typically operate, and what to look for:

Street Vendors in Saigon

1. Where to Find Street Vendors in Ho Chi Minh City

  • Busy Streets and Main Roads: Saigon’s main streets, especially in tourist-heavy areas like District 1, District 3, and District 5, are full of street vendors. These include areas around Ben Thanh Market, Pham Ngu Lao, and Bui Vien Street, where tourists and locals mix. The areas surrounding popular landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street also have street food stalls.
  • Markets: Ben Thanh Market is a key location, where both inside the market and along the streets surrounding it, vendors offer a variety of street food. Additionally, Cholon (the Chinatown area in District 5) is a great place to discover street food with a Chinese influence.
  • Side Streets & Alleyways: In addition to the main roads, narrow alleys and side streets often feature local street vendors, who sell food from portable carts or small stalls. These hidden gems are perfect for finding authentic, less touristy food. Look for these vendors tucked away in areas like Pham Ngu Lao, Le Van Tam Park, or near Saigon’s universities in District 10.
  • Public Squares & Parks: Many street vendors set up in parks or public squares, especially during lunch breaks. Le Van Tam Park in District 1, Tao Dan Park, and September 23 Park are popular areas to find food carts. These places are often frequented by locals during lunchtime.
  • Near Popular Food Courts: Some of Saigon’s food courts and “eateries” are open-air markets where food is served from carts or stalls. A good example is Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, where you can find food carts clustered together in a lively and bustling area.
  • Night Markets & Night Food Stalls: After dark, Saigon’s street food scene comes alive, especially in areas like Bui Vien Street (backpacker district) and Pham Ngu Lao. These areas feature vendors offering snacks and drinks well into the night, such as grilled skewers (nem nuong), sticky rice, banh mi, and fresh fruit.

2. When Street Vendors Operate

  • Morning (6 AM to 11 AM): Early in the morning, you’ll find breakfast vendors serving classic Vietnamese dishes like pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), com tam (broken rice with grilled pork), and xoi (sticky rice with various toppings). These vendors often operate near business districts and universities, catering to workers and students.
  • Lunch (11 AM to 1 PM): Around lunchtime, the streets around office buildings and markets get busy, with vendors selling banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), goi cuon (spring rolls), and other light dishes. You can find street vendors around the Ben Thanh Market area, as well as near universities and shopping centers like Saigon Square.
  • Afternoon (1 PM to 5 PM): In the afternoon, the street food scene slows down slightly, but vendors still line busy roads and areas like Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Dong Khoi Street, and near major parks like Tao Dan. Expect to find snacks, ice creams, fresh fruit, or Vietnamese desserts like che (sweet soups).
  • Evening (5 PM to 9 PM): As the evening approaches, street vendors become more active, especially in areas where locals gather after work. You’ll find grilled meats, BBQ skewers, fried noodles, com tam (broken rice), banh bao (steamed buns), and a variety of Vietnamese snacks along busy streets like Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, and near Le Van Tam Park.
  • Late Night (9 PM to Midnight): At night, food stalls and vendors often operate until late, especially in backpacker districts like Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien. Here, you’ll find vendors selling more street food snacks like banh mi, che, banh trang nuong (Vietnamese pizza), and drinks like sugarcane juice and fresh coconut water. These areas tend to stay active until midnight, and sometimes even later.

3. What to Look for

  • Street Food Carts and Stalls: Vendors often operate from small carts or fixed stalls. These vendors may set up on the sidewalk, next to a main road, or near a park. If you see a busy cart with locals gathered around, it’s usually a sign of delicious food.
  • The Smell: The scent is a great indicator of street food! Vendors often cook right on the street with aromatic herbs, grilled meats, or fried foods. The smell of grilled pork, fresh herbs, or fried snacks will attract your attention from a distance.
  • Local Crowds: Look for street vendors with local customers. If you see a crowd of locals sitting on small plastic stools, it’s often a sign of good, authentic food. Street vendors in Saigon are known for their quality, so local crowds are a good indicator that the food is worth trying.
  • Mobile Food Vendors: Some street vendors don’t have a fixed location. They may walk around carrying baskets or carts of food, announcing their presence with loud calls or even a song. These roaming vendors might sell items like coconut ice cream, boiled peanuts, or grilled corn.

4. What to Expect to See on the Streets

  • Pho (Beef Noodle Soup): A classic breakfast or lunch dish served at street stalls in the morning. You’ll often see vendors set up in the early hours, offering steaming bowls of pho with herbs, lime, and chili on the side.
  • Banh Mi: The Vietnamese sandwich that can be found nearly everywhere. Street vendors will often prepare fresh baguettes filled with grilled pork, chicken, or tofu, along with fresh vegetables and sauces.
  • Banh Xeo: A crispy Vietnamese pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Vendors selling this savory snack often set up along streets or near markets.
  • Grilled Skewers: Vendors offer nem nuong (grilled pork skewers), goi cuon (spring rolls), or grilled corn. These are often served with chili sauce and eaten on the go.
  • Fresh Fruit: Vendors selling tropical fruits like mangoes, coconuts, papayas, or durian are common throughout the city. You’ll find fruit sellers in parks, markets, or busy intersections.

5. Tips for Enjoying Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City

  • Look for Busy Vendors: If the vendor has a line or a crowd, it’s usually a sign that the food is good. Locals tend to know where the best street food is.
  • Use Grab for Convenience: If you’re not sure where to find the best vendors, you can use the Grab app to search for recommended restaurants or street food stalls, as many places are listed there.
  • Eat Like a Local: Don’t hesitate to sit on the tiny stools that are characteristic of street vendors. This is part of the experience in Vietnam, and locals are often happy to have foreigners join in.
  • Be Mindful of Hygiene: While Saigon street food is generally safe, always use your judgment when selecting vendors. Look for vendors who keep their food covered and those with a steady stream of customers, which often indicates that the food is fresh.

In conclusion, street vendors are a huge part of Saigon’s food culture, and finding them is all about exploring the busy streets, markets, and public spaces. Whether you’re strolling through a park, walking around Ben Thanh Market, or simply exploring the bustling streets of District 1, you’re sure to encounter a variety of delicious food from local vendors.