Traveling to a new country can be thrilling, but for Indian vegetarians, food can often be a concern. If you're heading to Vietnam in 2025 and wondering whether you’ll find vegetarian food that suits your Indian palate — we have good news for you. The Vietnamese food scene has evolved significantly in recent years, and the country is now more welcoming than ever to vegetarian and even vegan travelers.
This guide will help you navigate the Indian vegetarian food options in Vietnam, from traditional Vietnamese vegetarian dishes to Indian restaurants across the country.
📌 Why Vietnam Is Great for Indian Vegetarians in 2025
- Growing vegetarian culture: Due to Buddhist influence, Vietnam has a strong vegetarian tradition, particularly during religious days (called “ngày chay”).
- More Indian restaurants: With increased Indian tourism and business presence, Indian cuisine is now widely available in major cities.
- Vegan-friendly movement: 2025 sees a global boom in plant-based diets, and Vietnam is no exception. Vegan and vegetarian eateries have surged in number.
🌤️ Vegetarian Travel Tips Before You Go
Learn These Vietnamese Phrases:
- Tôi ăn chay – I eat vegetarian.
- Không thịt – No meat.
- Không cá – No fish.
- Không trứng – No eggs.
- Không sữa – No milk/dairy.
Download Translation Apps: Google Translate or local language apps can help communicate dietary restrictions.
Mark Buddhist Days: Many restaurants offer chay (vegetarian) menus during Buddhist holidays (based on the lunar calendar).
🍛 Traditional Vietnamese Vegetarian Dishes You Can Try
You might be surprised to find that many local dishes have vegetarian variants. Some must-tries:
1. Phở Chay (Vegetarian Pho)
- A meatless version of Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup.
- Typically made with a clear vegetable broth, rice noodles, tofu, mushrooms, and herbs.
2. Bánh Mì Chay
- A vegetarian take on the classic Vietnamese sandwich.
- Often contains grilled tofu, pickled veggies, fresh herbs, and chili sauces in a baguette.
3. Gỏi Cuốn Chay (Vegetarian Spring Rolls)
- Fresh rice paper rolls with tofu, vermicelli noodles, and herbs.
- Usually served with a peanut or hoisin dipping sauce.
4. Cơm Chay
- A “vegetarian rice” plate, which may include tofu, seitan, mushrooms, and greens.
5. Bún Riêu Chay
- A noodle soup originally made with crab, reimagined with tofu and tomatoes in a rich broth.
🥘 Best Indian Vegetarian Restaurants in Vietnam (2025)
Here’s a curated list of Indian vegetarian-friendly restaurants across major Vietnamese cities in 2025:
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
1) Benaras Indian Bistro
- Pure vegetarian menu available.
- Known for: Paneer tikka, daal makhani, masala chai.
2) Tandoor Saigon
- Extensive North Indian menu, with a separate vegetarian section.
- Known for: Naan platters, chole bhature, lassi.
3) Ashoka Restaurant
- One of the oldest Indian restaurants in Saigon.
- Budget-friendly thalis and South Indian dosas.
4) Chay Garden
- Vietnamese vegetarian fine-dining with Buddhist roots.
- Perfect for fusion experiences.
🇻🇳 Hanoi
1) Namaste Hanoi
- Popular among locals and expats alike.
- Offers both North and South Indian dishes.
- Known for: Vegetarian biryani, rasam, paneer curry.
2) Khazaana 1992
- Upscale Indian restaurant with a solid vegetarian lineup.
- Elegant setting near Hoan Kiem Lake.
3) Sadhu Vegetarian Restaurant
- A modern Vietnamese vegetarian buffet with Indian-inspired dishes on rotation.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
1) Mumtaz Indian Restaurant
- Cozy, centrally located with multiple vegetarian dishes.
- Known for: Palak paneer, bhindi masala.
2) Family Indian Restaurant
- Friendly service, home-style Indian cooking.
- Has Jain and no-onion/garlic options.
🇻🇳 Hoi An
1) Ganesh Indian Restaurant
- One of the most reliable Indian chains in Vietnam.
- Offers a wide vegetarian menu.
- Enjoy dinner by lantern light in Hoi An’s charming old town.
2) Minh Hien Vegetarian Restaurant
- Local Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine with Indian-friendly flavors.
🇻🇳 Nha Trang & Phu Quoc
- OM Indian Restaurant (Nha Trang): Great for travelers needing a break from seafood-heavy menus.
- Ganesh Phu Quoc: Island location of the popular Ganesh chain.
- Saigonese Eatery (Phu Quoc): Not purely Indian but offers delicious tofu curries and masala-spiced options.
🧳 Food Survival Guide for Indian Vegetarians in Vietnam
✔ Carry Some Essentials:
- Spices (masala, chaat masala, etc.)
- Ready-to-eat meals (MTR, Haldiram’s)
- Instant snacks (theplas, khakhras, dry snacks)
✔ Stay in Apartments with Kitchens: Especially useful in less touristy towns where Indian options are scarce.
✔ Grocery Stores & Indian Markets:
- Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have Indian stores selling lentils, rice, and spices.
- Look for supermarkets like Co.opmart or Lotte Mart for basic vegetarian ingredients.
✔ Halal and Jain Options:
- Many Indian restaurants in Vietnam cater to Halal and Jain diets – just ask the staff.
🌱 Vegan & Jain Travelers in Vietnam (2025)
Good news: most Indian vegetarian restaurants in Vietnam are happy to customize dishes for Jain or vegan diets.
- Always specify: “no onion, no garlic” or “no dairy”.
- Look for restaurants tagged with vegan-friendly or Jain options on Google Maps or HappyCow.
📷 Must-Do Experiences for Foodie Vegetarians in Vietnam
- 🍲 Join a Vietnamese vegetarian cooking class in Hoi An or Hanoi.
- 🛵 Take a street food tour – many now offer vegetarian-friendly options!
- 🧘 Dine at a temple-run community kitchen during Buddhist celebrations.
- 📸 Instagram your meal – Vietnamese veg food is colorful and beautifully presented.
✈️ Conclusion: Indian Vegetarian Paradise Awaits in Vietnam (2025)
Gone are the days when Indian vegetarians had to worry about food while traveling abroad. In 2025, Vietnam has become a surprisingly vegetarian-friendly country, thanks to its Buddhist roots, rising global awareness of plant-based diets, and a growing Indian expat population.
Whether you stick to traditional Indian meals or explore Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine, you'll find delicious, nutritious, and memorable food experiences waiting for you in every corner of Vietnam.
