THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is rapidly becoming a global culinary destination, celebrated not only for its rich history and stunning architecture but also for its vibrant food scene.
According to Booking.com’s latest “Taste of Home” report, the Vietnamese capital is emerging as a key player in Asia’s culinary tourism. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing food experiences alongside traditional sightseeing, positioning Hanoi as a must-visit destination for gastronomy enthusiasts.
Banh cuon Ba Hoanh, a beloved Hanoi specialty, continues to captivate locals and tourists alike. Photo: Kim Thu / The Hanoi Times
The report highlights a significant shift in travel behavior, with both Vietnamese and international tourists now selecting destinations based on culinary offerings as much as cultural landmarks. This trend marks a transition from conventional sightseeing to immersive, food-centric journeys.
Culinary tourism has become a pivotal factor in travel planning, with holiday homes and local accommodations gaining popularity as hubs for food exploration. This evolution underscores a broader redefinition of travel priorities, where food is no longer just a part of the experience but often the main attraction.
Food-First Travel Transforms Tourism Preferences
Data reveals that Vietnamese travelers, in particular, are expanding their culinary horizons while on the road. Eighty percent visit local markets, one-third engage in cooking regional specialties, and an increasing number experiment with new cooking techniques and recipes during their trips.
Travel is no longer a break from daily life but a gateway to deeper cultural engagement. This shift has significant implications across the Asia-Pacific region, where cuisine is increasingly shaping tourism demand.
Bun thang, a fragrant Hanoi classic. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Tong’s Bun Thang Eatery.
Holiday homes have become essential to food-centric travel plans, offering travelers the flexibility to shop, cook, and dine like locals. As destinations vie for attention, food has emerged as both a cultural identifier and an economic driver.
At the heart of Vietnam’s culinary allure is Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets where food, history, and daily life intertwine. The area’s unique geographical conditions and long-standing cultural heritage are central to its culinary identity, attracting food lovers and cultural explorers from around the world.
A Taste of Hanoi’s Edible History
According to Booking.com, classic Vietnamese dishes such as pho, bun cha, and banh cuon remain the cornerstone of Hanoi’s street food culture. Many vendors have occupied the same corners and alleyways for decades, preserving recipes passed down through generations. The result is a food scene shaped by both tradition and craftsmanship.
Apple CEO Tim Cook enjoys egg coffee with Vietnamese R&B star My Linh and her daughter, singer My Anh, in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Photo: Tim Cook (@tim_cook) on X.
More than just a collection of dishes, the Old Quarter serves as a living archive of Vietnamese gastronomy. From dawn until late at night, vendors, cafés, and tiny eateries line the streets, where locals and visitors sit side by side on low stools, savoring bowls of steaming broth or plates of sticky rice.
The aroma of grilled pork and fresh herbs wafts through streets like Tong Duy Tan and Ta Hien, enticing passersby to try xoi, banh mi, and sweet soups that reflect the city’s layered history.
As suggested by travel websites, a gastronomic exploration of Hanoi should begin at Dong Xuan Market and its adjacent food alley. Within this compact area, dozens of stalls offer everything from crispy shrimp fritters to bamboo-skewered pork and snail noodles. Signature dishes, such as the famed fritters at Mrs. Am’s Banh Tom, showcase how local ingredients and traditional techniques continue to define Hanoi’s culinary identity.
Deeper into the Old Quarter, travelers encounter foods that are more ritual than meal. Pho, consumed at all hours, is woven into the city’s daily rhythm, while hidden establishments serve understated comfort dishes that evoke nostalgia for long-time patrons.
Beyond street stalls, Hanoi’s café culture adds another layer to the culinary landscape. Hidden cafés along streets like Hang Gai offer moments of tranquility amid the Old Quarter’s bustle, serving everything from traditional egg coffee to modern artisanal brews in spaces that reflect the city’s architectural and social history.
Lien Dao (right), a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, enjoys egg coffee at a hidden café in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Lien Dao, 80, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, smiled as her children guided her through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where a stop for egg coffee became the highlight of the day. “Wandering the narrow streets and savoring the familiar taste brought back memories of old Hanoi and my childhood years,” she shared.
After nearly 60 years away from the capital, the experience felt deeply personal, an emotional return to a place that had long existed only in her memories.
Hanoi’s appeal also resonates with international audiences shaped by digital discovery. Canadian couple Flora and Note, creators of a YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers, embarked on a day-long street food journey guided by social media recommendations.
Their 28-minute episode, “Best of Hanoi in One Day, featured dishes ranging from bun thang to egg coffee and traditional rice meals. The video quickly went viral, becoming an informal guide for travelers eager to explore Hanoi’s food scene.
Canadian couple Flora and Note on their culinary journey through Hanoi. Photo: Cover image from the Best of Hanoi in One Day video.
To fully leverage Hanoi’s cuisine, city officials have increasingly positioned gastronomy as a strategic tourism asset. Digital tools and curated culinary maps now help visitors navigate nearly 30 registered culinary heritages within Hoan Kiem Ward alone, reflecting a policy approach that blends preservation with promotion.
This initiative aims to support local food economies while elevating Hanoi’s global culinary profile. As demand for experiential travel grows, cities like Hanoi, which seamlessly blend place and palate, are poised to benefit from an increasingly discerning global traveler base.
Showcasing Hanoi cuisine at the Hanoi Culinary Festival. Photo: Hoai Nam
Tet’s Radiant Reds Transform Hanoi’s Hang Ma Street
THE HANOI TIMES — Hang Ma Street is already aglow with the vibrant reds of Tet, as vendors showcase 2026 Lunar New Year decorations nearly two months in advance. The street, bathed in a sea of crimson and gold, exudes a festive spirit, transforming this central Hanoi thoroughfare into a seasonal spectacle. Nestled in Hoan […]
Hanoi Welcomes 2026 Holiday’s End with Smooth, Orderly Traffic Flow
THE HANOI TIMES — On the final day of the 2026 New Year holiday, tens of thousands of residents returned to Hanoi, with traffic volume increasing yet remaining congestion-free. Hanoi welcomed back tens of thousands of residents on the afternoon of January 4. Photos: Pham Cong/The Hanoi Times The four-day holiday, spanning January 1 to […]
Hanoi to Plant Over 400,000 Trees by 2026, Boosting Urban Greenery
THE HANOI TIMES — In a bold move towards sustainable urban development, Hanoi has announced plans to plant over 400,000 new trees by 2026. This initiative is part of the city’s broader strategy to enhance urban greening, protect forests, and achieve environmental goals, ultimately transforming the capital into a greener, more livable metropolis. The project […]
Hanoi Allocates $3 Million for Tet 2026 Gifts to Support Needy Residents
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) has proposed a budget of nearly VND80 billion (US$3 million) to distribute approximately 90,000 gifts to near-poor and disadvantaged households across the city in celebration of the 2026 Tet holiday. Of this total, VND5.28 billion (US$201,000) from the municipal “For the Poor” […]
Serenity Unveiled: Hanoi’s Tranquil New Year Awakening
THE HANOI TIMES — As the clock struck midnight, Hanoi awoke to a serene New Year’s Day, a stark contrast to its usual bustling energy. The city, known for its vibrant chaos, embraced a rare tranquility on January 1st, 2026. The streets, typically buzzing with motorbikes, were instead graced by a gentle flow of pedestrians, […]
