Pho: How to Find Pho in Vietnam

Pho is one of the most famous dishes from Vietnamese cuisine and one of the best dishes in South East Asia.

Created in the North, the dish has been a popular meal since the early twentieth century. Although traditionally a breakfast dish, Pho can be found at any time of the day and this travel food guide will explain how to find Pho in Vietnam.

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Contents

What is Pho?

Pho is a broth including rice noodles and thin meat slices as a base. In addition, there is usually herbs, onions and spices included in the dish. You are also given a basket full of vegetable garnishes to add to your broth as you go. 

Knowing the anatomy of a country’s cuisine will give you an insight into the culture. Through eating local food, you can learn about the country. For instance, pho tastes different in the north and south and this could be seen as symbolic of the contrast between the regions.

Vietnamese Pho Pronunciation

The first step in finding the best Phở is to pronounce it correctly. ‘Foe’ is not how you pronounce this. It sounds more like ‘fuh’ by using low and high tones. I find the Vietnamese language really difficult to comprehend.

Every time I attempt to speak Vietnamese, I’ve not been understood. I still try, though, because I believe it is important to learn the local language wherever you travel.

Learn how to pronounce pho in Vietnam to help when ordering it.

Read Next: Best Vietnamese Food To Try

When to Eat Pho in Vietnam?

Pho is a breakfast dish and you will find pho in the mornings, usually the best too. Get up early and head out for pho between 6am and 8am.

The streets of Vietnam are usually chaotic and noisy. The mornings in Vietnam, however, portray a different side to the country. Here, you’ll find an unusual yet comforting calmness in the area as well as a cooler, less humid temperature.

It is a quieter time of day, and beautiful in most parts to watch the sunrise. There are many locals up and about early morning and I think it may be down to the culinary wonders available only at this hour.

Furthermore, if you try after this time, it is highly likely the best spots will have already sold out of pho. 

How to find the best Pho in Vietnam

Once you are up early, leave your accommodation and if you are in quite a known place, it would probably be only a few yards until you spot a pho stall. If you head to a main street/ main road, go to the side-streets where sellers will be waiting for you to find Pho. There is usually a Vietnamese woman dishing out bowls of pho for the locals, queuing up for their breakfast. Sometimes, there will be a little plastic table and chairs next to her cart where you can eat and hand back the bowl when finished. Take a seat, slurp away and certainly, enjoy!

Taking a street food tour in Vietnam places will guarantee to find the best Pho. Try some of these:

Klook.com

How to Find Pho in Vietnam

There are pictures of Pho throughout this post taken in different places in Vietnam but I used this strategy for how to find Pho in Vietnam.

Essentially, you are looking for anywhere that seems to be selling bowls of noodle soup. If you are there early, it is most likely pho. Sometimes, there are street stalls with signs on that will say pho but all the best dishes I had, had no signage, just a seller and their cart. 

If you are lucky and know a local or become friendly with a local, perhaps a worker in your hostel, you could kindly ask whether they could point you in the right direction. For instance, they might even go out and collect the Pho for you!

This is a unique experience because you can guarantee a good dish by a local and they also get it at local’s price. 

If you have had a similar Pho food experience, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Read Next: Hoi An in 2 Days Itinerary

Pho in Vietnam Price

To find the best Pho, it usually costs around VND 20,000-40,000 which is about £1. Vietnam is an affordable destination for budget travellers because of reasons like this!

Tips 

• Practice the Pho Vietnamese pronunciation first.
• Always get Pho for breakfast
• If there’s a queue, join it.
• If a local is eating there, eat there too.
• Carry your own chopsticks (they will be provided but always nicer to use your own).
• Smile. Because smiling goes a long way!

Pin this post for when you need to find some delicious Vietnamese pho!

I used booking.com when I spent 1 month in Vietnam, trying the delicious bowls of Vietnamese Pho. I use them to arrange my accommodation when I visit any place because I trust their services and they always give me the best deals in a place.

To find your own accommodation in Vietnam, use the search box below to take you straight to booking.com!

Booking.com