Huế, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City have been named among the top 100 cities with the best culinary experiences worldwide in 2024, according to the renowned culinary website Taste Atlas.
The list, updated on December 24, serves as a guide for international travelers seeking exceptional food experiences on their journeys. Vietnam’s representation with three cities highlights the country’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.
Huế: Ranked 35th (4.53/5)
Known as the former imperial capital, Huế’s cuisine is celebrated for its royal dishes and unique street food. Must-try dishes include bún bò Huế (Huế beef noodle soup), nem lụi (grilled pork skewers), bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes), and bánh khoái (Huế-style crispy pancakes).
Taste Atlas describes bún bò Huế as spicier than most Vietnamese noodle soups, with a “rich and complex” flavor profile. This iconic dish features thick rice noodles, beef, pork knuckle, blood pudding, crab meatballs, and a savory broth enriched with fermented shrimp paste and served with fresh herbs. It’s a versatile meal, enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Recommended spots in Huế include Bún Bò Bà Xuân, Bánh Gánh, Huyền Anh, Hồng Mai, Tài Phú, and the recently established Vị Huế Restaurant and Café, a pioneer in green and sustainable dining in Vietnam’s culinary capital. Vị Huế elevates traditional Huế cuisine by blending cultural authenticity with eco-friendly practices, setting a new standard for fine dining in the region.
Hanoi: Ranked 40th (4.5/5)
The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi, is renowned for its traditional dishes such as phở (Vietnamese noodle soup), chả giò (fried spring rolls), bún chả (grilled pork with vermicelli), bún riêu (crab noodle soup), and bún ốc (snail noodle soup).
Taste Atlas scored phở 4.4/5 and both chả giò and bún chả 4.3/5. Chả giò, a crispy appetizer or main course, is popular not only in Vietnam but also in Vietnamese restaurants around the globe.
Bún chả gained international attention in 2016 when the late chef Anthony Bourdain and former U.S. President Barack Obama shared a meal at a local Hanoi restaurant, as featured on the show Parts Unknown.
Ho Chi Minh City: Ranked 56th (4.45/5)
Known for its vibrant food scene, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is famous for dishes like chả giò, cơm tấm (broken rice), bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), and hủ tiếu (southern-style noodle soup).
Taste Atlas highlights cơm tấm, scoring it 4.4/5. This dish is widely available across the city, from street food vendors to upscale restaurants. Served with toppings like fried egg, shredded pork skin, and grilled pork ribs, cơm tấm is a quintessential taste of Saigon’s culinary offerings.
Global Context
The 2024 list of the top 100 cities for culinary excellence was compiled from over 17,000 cities and more than 477,000 valid votes in Taste Atlas’s database.
Naples, Italy, tops the list, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and celebrated for its Pizza Napoletana, spaghetti, and seafood, which are cornerstones of its culinary legacy.
Vietnam’s inclusion of Huế, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City underscores its growing reputation as a global food destination, offering travelers an unparalleled culinary adventure. The addition of eco-conscious establishments like Vị Huế Restaurant and Café highlights a shift toward sustainable dining, making Vietnam not just a culinary gem but also a pioneer in environmentally responsible tourism.
