A bánh mì for VND12,000 (US$0.53)? A coffee for VND8,000 (US$0.35)? If you’re on a budget, look no further than Vietnam! Prices for food and drinks, as well as the general cost of living, are so unbeatably cheap that Vietnam was recently named the world’s most affordable country for foreigners. And the best part is: you’ll eat well!
Accommodation, transport, sightseeing, food and drinks… budget tourism site Price of Travel has recently estimated a backpacker’s daily expenses in Hanoi at US$18.19. That’s less than the entrance fee to visit the Tower of London—in pounds!
Online institution Numbeo estimates that the cost of living in Vietnam is 45.71 percent lower than in the US.
Food makes up a good part of this. The usual Saigonese office lunch, for instance, offers a range of local specialities from cơm tấm to hủ tiếu at VND35,000 (US$1.54), often including a soup as a starter and a small dessert. While portions are not US-sized, this three-course meal does fill you up; and it is delicious!
If you think these bargains are limited to street food, think again. Even more sophisticated eateries up to Vietnam’s dining temples are highly affordable compared to international prices. For local fare, you’ll rarely pay more than VND250,000 (US$11) per dish.
One simple question arises:
Why Is Vietnamese Food So Cheap?
Vietnamese Food Is Inexpensive by Nature
Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and light in character. Following a deeply rooted food philosophy that aims at harmonising yin and yang through nutrition, nearly all Vietnamese dishes perfectly balance out greens and vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates. Portions are not humongous like in other parts of the world, but stomach-filling.
Vietnamese women selling cheap eats at a food stand. Image source: Travel + Leisure
The recipes, on the other hand, have often been passed down from previous generations who lived a simple life, relying heavily on locally sourced ingredients you’ll find on pretty much any street market at prices that truly amaze.
A 10-pack of eggs merely puts you back a dollar. You could easily buy a whole bagful of vegetables like carrots or local greens, or fruits like bananas or passion fruits and not spend more than US$2.50. And a country with a coastline of 3,440 kilometres is never short of the freshest and cheapest seafood.
Nature is so kind to abundantly provide Vietnamese gastronomy with everything it needs. A trip to the Mekong Delta is enough to understand just how rich and fertile the Vietnamese soil is. This country is quite simply a food paradise on earth!
Cheap Work = Cheap Food
Another reason for the cheap food prices is the same as for the affordability of life in Vietnam in general: wages are rising, but still low on an international scale. Consequently, the labour cost that goes into your lunch is considerably lower than in other countries, which beats down the prices and also creates a demand for reasonably priced food. If you earn US$150 per month, you won’t spend more than a dollar or two on your daily eating. So there are also vendors who cater to that demand.
A Lack of Food Safety?
Lastly, there’s also a downside to the spectacular prices: food safety is not Vietnam’s strong suit. Paying less attention to hygiene ultimately means a lower cost. The main problems are the use of pesticides, lack of refrigeration and insufficient storage systems, as well as hygiene violations during food processing and cooking.
While any consumer in Vietnam should keep this in mind, it would be wrong to distrust the whole industry—and even more wrong to refrain from indulging in all the goodness offered on the street side! Just use your common sense. If a place looks dirty or obviously lacks proper hygiene standards, don’t go. Well-frequented street vendors and restaurants are usually safe.
Eating Well
The good news is: Vietnam—and especially its urban centres Hanoi and Saigon—gives you all the options. If you want to have lunch for VND15,000 (US$0.66), you’ll find that. If you’re willing to pay top prices for top-quality international fare, you’ll also find that, cheaper than in many other countries. However, the best choice is, as so often, the happy medium.
A group foreigners eating street food. Image source: uyenluu.com
Vietnam has plenty of mid-range street restaurants that are fixed in a house or on a street corner. Prices hover around VND30,000-70,000 (US$1.32-3.08) per dish, food quality is good and the taste is to drop to your knees for. And after all, three dollars for a full-blown, savoury meal is not too bad, is it?
So do look out for those charming little bún chả or cơm tấm, cao lầu or bún bò Huế, mì quảng or bánh xèo places that get crowded at lunch- and dinnertime. This is where you’ll truly experience the culinary genius of Vietnam’s multifaceted, healthy and flavour-bursting cuisine.
Vietnamese cuisine is a world of culinary wonder with its diverse flavors, fresh ingredients, and incredibly affordable prices. The article paints a vivid picture of Vietnam's food scene, highlighting its inexpensiveness and quality.
Affordability of Vietnamese Food: Vietnamese cuisine's inexpensiveness roots from various factors:
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Food Philosophy and Ingredients: Vietnamese food revolves around a philosophy of balance, harmonizing yin and yang through nutrition. The dishes incorporate locally sourced, fresh ingredients available at astonishingly low prices in street markets. From a 10-pack of eggs for a dollar to a bagful of vegetables for under $2.50, these prices are unmatched.
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Abundance of Nature: Vietnam's fertile soil and expansive coastline provide an abundance of fresh produce and seafood, keeping costs low while maintaining quality.
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Labour Costs: The affordability is also attributed to low labour costs. The wages, while rising, are relatively low on an international scale. Consequently, the cost that goes into preparing meals is considerably less compared to other countries.
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Diverse Options: Despite the low prices, Vietnamese cuisine offers a wide range of options, from street-side bargains to more sophisticated eateries, all at highly affordable rates compared to international standards.
Challenges: However, there are challenges regarding food safety due to lax attention to hygiene standards. Issues include the use of pesticides, inadequate refrigeration and storage, as well as hygiene violations during food processing and cooking. While this poses concerns, popular and well-frequented street vendors and restaurants generally ensure better hygiene standards.
Diverse Culinary Offerings: Vietnam offers a spectrum of dining experiences. From budget-friendly street vendors offering dishes like bún chả or cơm tấm for VND15,000 (US$0.66) to mid-range street restaurants priced around VND30,000-70,000 (US$1.32-3.08) per dish, the country caters to varying preferences and budgets.
Culinary Experience in Vietnam: Exploring Vietnamese cuisine involves experiencing its multifaceted, healthy, and flavor-packed offerings. Whether indulging in local specialties like cao lầu, bún bò Huế, or mì quảng at crowded street vendors or opting for international fare at affordable prices, Vietnam promises a culinary journey that satisfies both the palate and the wallet.
As an enthusiast and someone deeply passionate about culinary experiences, delving into Vietnam's food scene is always an exciting exploration. The blend of affordability, quality, and diversity makes it a standout destination for food lovers seeking authentic, flavorful, and budget-friendly dining experiences.
