Quick answer: Halal food in Vietnam is easiest to find in Ho Chi Minh City, especially around the Jamia Mosque on Dong Du and Ben Thanh Market. In Hanoi the options are around Al-Noor Mosque in the Old Quarter, while Da Nang and Phu Quoc have fewer choices. Meat products are usually not allowed without a permit, so bring food without meat.
Vietnam is becoming more popular with Malaysian travellers because of cheap flights and fresh food. The challenge is that most local dishes use pork, and the Muslim community there is small. This guide explains where to find halal food in Vietnam city by city, which words to recognise, and what you can bring from Malaysia.
Where to find halal food in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has the most choice. The area around the Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque on Dong Du street, District 1, has several halal restaurants serving Vietnamese, Indian and Malaysian food. The Ben Thanh Market area also has Muslim stalls and restaurants that are popular with Malaysian travellers.
Hanoi
Hanoi has one main mosque, Al-Noor Mosque on Hang Luoc street in the Old Quarter. There are a few halal restaurants in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem, but far fewer than in Ho Chi Minh City.
Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc
Da Nang and Hoi An have a few halal and Indian restaurants, but the choice is limited. Phu Quoc is very limited. For these destinations, mark halal restaurants on your map before you leave and bring food without meat for busy days.
Vietnamese words to know
| Vietnamese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Thịt heo / thịt lợn | Pork |
| Mỡ heo | Pork fat |
| Thịt bò | Beef |
| Thịt gà | Chicken |
| Hải sản | Seafood |
| Rượu / bia | Alcohol / beer |
Pho bo uses beef, but at regular restaurants the beef is not slaughtered according to Islamic rules and the stock may be mixed. Banh mi is usually filled with pork or pate. Choose the halal version at a restaurant that displays a halal logo.
Halal food in Vietnam: safer options outside halal restaurants
If there is no halal restaurant nearby, the options that are usually safer are local fruit, bread from bakeries that do not use lard, and seafood cooked at shops that do not sell pork. Convenience stores such as Circle K and FamilyMart have snacks and drinks, but most of their products do not carry a halal logo, so read the label.
What you can bring from Malaysia
According to the Vietnam customs guide by Trip.com, food containing pork, beef or chicken is generally not allowed without an import permit, even if it is commercially packed. Dry food such as snacks and instant noodles is usually accepted. Check with Vietnamese customs or your airline before you fly, because the rules can change.
- Do not bring chicken or meat dishes in pouches, rendang or serunding.
- You can consider retort white rice, biscuits and dry snacks without animal products.
- Declare any food you are unsure about at the customs counter.
Tips for eating halal food in Vietnam
- Stay in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, if you want to be close to the mosque and halal restaurants.
- In Hanoi, stay in the Old Quarter so you are close to Al-Noor Mosque.
- Save the names of halal restaurants on an offline map, because internet access outside the cities can be limited.
- For day trips such as the Mekong Delta or Ha Long Bay, ask your tour agency about halal meal options.
- Bring an empty water bottle and refill it, because the weather is hot and humid.
For the rules on liquids in the cabin, read our guide to bringing food on a plane. A full packing list is in our travel packing tips.
FAQ about halal food in Vietnam
Is it easy to find halal food in Ho Chi Minh City?
It is fairly easy in District 1, especially around the Jamia Mosque on Dong Du and Ben Thanh Market.
Is there halal food in Hanoi?
Yes, but it is limited. Most of it is in the Old Quarter near Al-Noor Mosque.
Is pho in Vietnam halal?
Regular pho is not guaranteed halal, because the meat and stock are not prepared in a halal way. Choose pho at a halal restaurant.
Can I bring food from Malaysia to Vietnam?
Meat products generally need a permit. Bring food without meat and declare it if you are unsure.
Is there halal food in Da Nang?
There are a few halal and Indian restaurants in Da Nang, but the choice is small, so plan ahead.
Still have questions?
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