Hanoi: Street food paradise attracts international visitors

In September 2025, Time Out magazine (UK) announced a list of 10 cities with the best street food in Asia. Hanoi was honored to be ranked second, just after Penang (Malaysia), and is the only representative of Vietnam to appear in this ranking.

– Amidst the modern pace of life, Hanoi still retains its simple yet charming street food identity. From pho, bun cha to egg coffee,… these simple dishes have become “cultural ambassadors”, helping the capital to be continuously honored on the global culinary map.

Food festivals are held regularly to promote to tourists. Photo: VGP/Minh Anh

Shining on the international culinary map

That not only brings pride to the people of the capital, but also affirms the special value of Hanoi cuisine in the global flow. Surpassing famous names like Singapore - where hawker culture has been recognized by UNESCO, Hanoi is described by Time Out with an irresistible charm: "Here, the value lies in the simplicity of the sidewalk, where the best dishes appear in the most ordinary spaces".

Familiar addresses such as Banh Mi 25 Old Quarter, Pho Co Minh Hang Trong, Banh Cuon Ba Loc or Bun Cha 74 Hang Quat are suggested as living proof. They are not only places to eat and drink, but also become a part of urban memories, imprints in the hearts of every visitor who has visited. And, it is not too much to say that the presence of Hanoi in this ranking is a tribute to the entire sidewalk culture - a unique piece that creates the soul of the city.

The spread of Hanoi cuisine is making an important contribution to the recovery and growth of tourism . In the first 9 months of 2025, Hanoi welcomed 26.07 million visitors, an increase of nearly 24% over the same period in 2024. International visitors alone reached 5.54 million, of which 3.9 million were long-term visitors. Tourism revenue reached about 98,360 billion VND, an increase of more than 20% over the same period. This is a stable growth rate, showing that Hanoi is maintaining its position as a leading attractive destination in the region. And it also shows that Hanoi's street food is one of the "magnets" attracting domestic and international tourists.

A clear example is the Hanoi Beverage Festival (taking place from September 17-21, 2025), hosted by the Hanoi Department of Tourism, at the Tay Ho Cultural and Creative Space. With 80 booths recreating urban memories, from Khue Van Cac, the old quarter corner, trade beer to lotus tea shops... the festival brought both familiar and new experiences, attracting more than 20,000 visitors, including many international friends. It is the combination of tradition and modernity that has turned the festival into a highlight, opening up expectations for annual culinary promotion activities, associated with the sustainable tourism development of the capital.

Ta Hien Street (Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi) attracts international tourists with the unique sidewalk culinary culture of Hanoi. Photo: VGP/Minh Anh.

"Cultural passport" of Hanoi

Hanoi not only appears in international rankings, but also leaves a mark in the experiences of each tourist. YouTuber Ted Aroi (Taiwan), with more than 14,000 followers, spent the whole trip trying 10 pho restaurants in Hanoi and ranked Pho Goc Gao at number one. YouTuber Suhyang (South Korea, more than 700,000 followers) shared that she had been looking forward to eating pho since the plane had not yet landed, and then continuously explored banh mi nem khoai, com ran nam bo, lemon tea, corn milk. For her, Hanoi cuisine is "the best reason to come back many times".

Michael Brown, a British tourist, said that what impressed him was not only the taste of the food, but also the atmosphere: “You can sit on a tiny plastic chair, chat with the vendor, enjoy pho or bun cha and fully feel the rhythm of life here. That is an experience that can only be found in Hanoi.”

Those stories, when spread on social networks or during personal travel itineraries, have become "natural advertisements" for the Capital - the most emotional, authentic and effective promotional method.

Along with international recognition, Hanoi also affirms its culinary value through domestic heritages. In August 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism included three representatives of Hanoi in the list of national intangible cultural heritages: Thanh Tri rice paper making, La Vong fish cake processing and enjoyment knowledge, and Bat Trang food cooking knowledge.

Each dish is not just a taste experience, but also contains a story of history, culture and community identity. This is also a testament to the creativity, the ability to pass down through generations and the pride of Hanoians.

In early 2025, Tripadvisor continued to honor Hanoi in the top 13 cities with the world's leading culinary experiences. In 2024, Hanoi was awarded the title "Best Culinary City Destination in Asia" by the World Culinary Awards. Previously, the Capital continuously appeared in prestigious rankings such as: Top 15 cities with the most attractive cuisine in the world (Tripadvisor), World's leading city travel destination for short breaks, Top 25 world's leading destinations for food lovers in 2022...

These consecutive records show that Hanoi cuisine has become a “cultural passport” bringing the city’s image closer to international friends. From pho, bun cha, banh cuon to egg coffee, each dish contributes to telling a fascinating story about a Hanoi that is both traditional, creative, integrated while still retaining its own soul.

In the context of increasing international visitors to Vietnam, positioning Hanoi as a “street food capital” is not only feasible, but also a smart strategy to develop sustainable tourism, connecting the local community with the global market. Because Hanoi is a place where even a plastic chair on the sidewalk can become a “memory”, making tourists not want to leave. It is from these simple but authentic experiences that the image of a friendly, hospitable, and unique capital is and will continue to spread across five continents.

Source: Government Electronic Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/ha-noi-thien-duong-am-thuc-duong-pho-hut-khach-quoc-te.html