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How to order Vietnamese street food: useful Vietnamese phrases

At Vietnamese street food stalls, it is common to order first, then take a seat and pay after eating. “Cho tôi…” means “Please give me…,” and “tính tiền” means “Please bring the bill.” A meal typically costs 20,000–70,000 VND, and a dish costs 30,000–70,000 VND.

At a glance

• It is common to order first, take a seat at an empty table or on a plastic stool, then pay after eating.
• Put “Cho tôi…” before the name of a dish to order it with “Please give me…”.
• “không cay” means not spicy, and “ít cay” means less spicy.
• Street food guide prices are listed as 20,000–70,000 VND per meal and 30,000–70,000 VND per dish.
• Carry Vietnamese dong cash for small purchases.

How do I order at a street food stall?

Point to the menu or the food you want and say “một suất” (one serving) or “một cái này” (one of these). If you know the dish name, put “Cho tôi” before it to place your order.

1. Choose what you want

   Point to the menu and say “một cái này,” or say “một suất” if you want one serving.

2. Ask for the food

   Put the dish name after “Cho tôi.” For example, “Cho tôi một tô phở bò” means you would like a bowl of beef pho.

3. Choose a seat

   It is common to order first, then choose an empty table or plastic stool.

4. Ask for the bill after your meal

   Say “tính tiền” to ask for the bill, or “Cho tôi tính tiền” to be a little more polite.

How do I ask about spice and sweetness?

Say “không cay” if you want no chili, or “ít cay” if you want it less spicy. To make a drink or dish less sweet, you can say “ít ngọt” or “ít đường.”

• Not spicy: không cay
• Less spicy: ít cay
• Less sweet: ít ngọt or ít đường
• No ice: không đá

How much does street food cost, and how do I pay?

Street food typically costs 20,000–70,000 VND per meal and 30,000–70,000 VND per dish. The actual price may vary by food, stall, tourist area, and menu.

How can I check whether a dish has cilantro or fresh herbs?

Noodle dishes may come with fresh herbs and leafy vegetables such as mint, cilantro, basil, and lettuce. “rau mùi” means cilantro, so use it to check the name of the herb.

• You can mix the herbs and leafy vegetables served with noodles into the soup or toss them with dry noodles.
• The Vietnamese name for cilantro is rau mùi.

How should I choose a street food stall?

Look for a stall that draws a steady stream of local customers and serves food quickly. The travel guide says street food is generally safe, while advising travelers to use their own judgment when choosing a stall.

• See whether local customers keep coming back.
• Check that food is served quickly and ingredients are replenished often.

What to do in these situations

1. I don't know the name of the dish

   Point to the food you want and say “một cái này.”

2. I want to avoid spicy food

   Add “không cay” to your order to ask them not to add chili.

3. I want it less spicy

   Say “ít cay” to ask for less spice.

4. I want my drink without ice

   Say “không đá.” The tourism authority's health advice also recommends avoiding ice and drinking bottled water in rural areas.

5. I'm finished eating

   Ask the staff for the bill by saying “tính tiền” or “Cho tôi tính tiền.”

Before-you-go checklist

• Remember “một cái này” to use when pointing to a menu item.
• Save the ordering phrase “Cho tôi…” and the phrase for asking for the bill, “tính tiền.”
• Review these phrases for requesting spice, sweetness, and ice: “không cay,” “ít cay,” “ít ngọt,” “ít đường,” and “không đá.”
• Carry Vietnamese dong cash for street food purchases.
• Remember the advice to avoid ice and drink bottled water in rural areas.

FAQ

Do you order first at Vietnamese street food stalls?

It is common to order first, take a seat at an empty table or on a plastic stool, and pay after eating.

How do I say “One of these, please” in Vietnamese?

Point to the menu item and say “một cái này.” If you know the dish name, put “Cho tôi” before it to place your order.

How do I ask for no chili in Vietnamese?

Say “Không cay” to ask them not to add chili. Say “ít cay” for less spice.

How much does Vietnamese street food usually cost?

About 20,000–70,000 VND per meal or 30,000–70,000 VND per dish, depending on the food and the stall.

How do I ask for the bill in Vietnamese?

Say “tính tiền” to ask for the bill. For a slightly more polite request, say “Cho tôi tính tiền.”

Official sources & check dates

• A beginner's guide to Vietnamese street food | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
• How to order at a local Vietnamese restaurant: the phrases, the menu and the bill · 2026-10-28
• Vietnam Meal Cost: Complete 2025 Price Guide From Budget To Luxury Dining | Vietnam Airlines · 2026-10-28
• How much to budget for food per day in Vietnam | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
• Plan your trip | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
• Currency and payments in Vietnam | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
• The healthiest dishes on a Vietnamese menu · 2026-10-28
• What to eat in Vietnam beyond phở: a regional food guide · 2026-10-28
• Herbs (Các loại rau thơm) · 2026-10-28
• Vietnamese Food & Street Food Guide | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28
• Health and Safety | Vietnam Tourism · 2026-10-28

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Site updated: 2026-10-28