Eating Vietnamese Sandwiches

Eating Vietnamese Sandwiches: A Real Eating Experience from mr.hotsia

When it comes to street food that I, mr.hotsia, never miss when visiting Vietnam, one of the must-try dishes is the “Vietnamese sandwich” or what they call “Bánh mì,” which is not just an ordinary sandwich but a dish that combines the diversity of Vietnamese culture and flavors in one piece.

The last time I traveled to Lạng Sơn ProvinceA province where I stayed and enjoyed exploring the marketsI had the chance to try Vietnamese sandwiches at a small roadside shop near the central market. This shop only opens in the morning and late morning. The sign was not fancy, but the aroma of freshly baked bread with spices and fresh herbs drifting in the air immediately made me stop walking.

The Vietnamese sandwich here uses a baguette that is crispy on the outside and soft inside. The bread is different from typical French baguettes in that its crust is thinner, crispier, and slightly crumbly, giving an interesting texture when bitten into. Inside the bánh mì, fillings vary by shop, but my favorite is grilled pork and thinly sliced cold pork mixed with pickled carrots, pickled daikon, and fresh cilantro, which offers a sweet and sour taste with a distinct herbal aroma.

What makes the Vietnamese sandwich delicious and unique is the sauce spread inside the bread. Some shops use mayonnaise mixed with chili and garlic, others use soy sauce or sweet chili sauce. I remember the shop in Lạng Sơn had a special sauce made from peanuts and fish sauce. When bitten, the sauce seeps out and blends with the pork and pickled vegetables, creating a unique flavor that you must try.

Besides pork, there are Vietnamese sandwiches with grilled chicken, grilled squid, or even grilled pork liver fillings, each shop having its own secret recipe. I, mr.hotsia, recommend exploring small shops in morning markets in each city because that’s the chance to eat authentic bánh mì in true Vietnamese style, not just tourist versions.

When I visited northern Vietnam, such as Lạng Sơn Province, the weather was rainy season, not as hot as in Thailand. This city has the Ky Cung River flowing through and beautiful high mountains.Atmosphere in Lạng Sơn cityMaking it perfect to sit and eat bánh mì at a small roadside shop while sipping hot Vietnamese coffee.

I have also tried Vietnamese sandwiches in other cities like Đà Lạt or Vĩnh Long, which have slight differences. For example, in Đà Lạt, where I visited,a Buddhist temple in Đà Lạt citythe fresh vegetables used in bánh mì are more varied, and they add basil leaves for fragrance, which is a characteristic of central and southern Vietnamese cuisine. In Vĩnh Long, an important port city, I tried Vietnamese sandwiches with seafood fillings that are spicier and richer than the northern version.Vĩnh Long bus stationThis was the point where I traveled to other cities and often stopped to buy bánh mì as a snack before continuing my journey.

For those who want to try Vietnamese sandwiches like mr.hotsia, I recommend eating at morning markets or roadside shops popular with locals because you will get the authentic taste, not just tourist flavors. Plus, the price is very affordable, only 15,000-25,000 VND (about 20-40 THB) for a filling and delicious meal.

If anyone is interested in seeing the full atmosphere of eating Vietnamese sandwiches, I have made a video on my YouTube channel titled “Eating Vietnamese Sandwiches.”Click here to watchYou will see how they are made and eaten live from the field.

Finally, I, mr.hotsia, want everyone to open their hearts to try street food in Vietnam because besides Vietnamese sandwiches, there are many other dishes waiting for you to discover, such as grilled button squid or Vietnamese chicken biryani, which I have shared experiences about in previous articles and videos.Grilled Button Squid VietnamandVietnamese Chicken BiryaniI assure you that each dish has stories and flavors that will make you fall more in love with this country.

For travel and accommodation in Vietnam, mr.hotsia recommends planning ahead and trying to find small guest houses that are convenient and affordable. Staying in such places in various cities helped me understand the lifestyle and experience true Vietnamese culture more deeply.