Alongside festivities like military parades and patriotic concerts, travelers arriving in Hanoi this holiday can also dive into the city’s rich street food scene. The capital’s famed alleys and streets, often just a few hundred meters long, are home to time-honored eateries serving iconic Vietnamese dishes.

Below are four recommended culinary spots to savor while strolling through Hanoi this September 2.

Trung Yen Alley: A hidden food haven off Dinh Liet Street

Located near Hoan Kiem Lake, Trung Yen Alley connects Dinh Liet Street and the old Hang Be Market, forming a 200-meter stretch of densely packed, long-standing eateries. Visitors will find local favorites such as Nhan duck vermicelli, Suong beef pho, and squid vermicelli salad.

Suong Pho is run by descendants of the legendary pho vendor known as "Mr. Tau in the blue shirt." Their broth is simmered with beef bones for 14-15 hours, flavored with ginger and fish sauce - intentionally avoiding cinnamon and star anise - to preserve a distinct taste that keeps customers coming back.

Another must-try is Sam Cay Si fish noodle soup, famed for its stuffed fried fish rolls made from soft snakehead fish fillets wrapped around minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then lightly coated and deep-fried. The soup base is a delicate, tangy mix made from pineapple, tomato, and fish bones, served with crispy fish and seasonal herbs.

From Trung Yen Alley, it’s a short walk to Hang Be Market for more food adventures, such as Huong Tra chicken pho or local specialties like braised fish and roasted pigeon.

Hoan Kiem dried beef salad street: Hanoi’s snack paradise

Stretching just over 50 meters, this street near Hoan Kiem Lake is dubbed “Hanoi’s snack haven,” best known for dried beef salad (nom bo kho). Long-standing shops like Long Vi Dung, Thanh Hai, and Hai Sinh are packed with patrons daily.

The signature salad includes shredded papaya mixed with dried beef tendon, liver, spleen, and herbs, all tossed in sweet-sour fish sauce and vinegar. It’s a harmony of bold, fresh, and refreshing flavors.

Most eateries open from 9 a.m. to midnight, peaking around 4-5 p.m. Visitors can also order extras like roasted pigeon, fried spring rolls, fermented pork rolls, and iced drinks.

Dong Xuan Alley: A street food gem next to the market

Tucked inside Hanoi’s Old Quarter, this 200-meter narrow alley adjacent to Dong Xuan Market is a bustling street food destination. Dozens of small eateries serve local delights like shrimp cakes, snail noodles, grilled pork vermicelli, sweet soup, and more at very affordable prices.

With only US$4–6, visitors can feast to their hearts’ content.

At the alley’s entrance is the well-known Co Am shrimp cake stall. The batter includes wheat flour, tapioca starch, eggs, turmeric powder, and shredded sweet potato. Each crisp golden cake is paired with tangy fish sauce, pickled papaya-carrot salad, and fresh herbs.

Deeper into the alley lies Thuy’s snail noodle shop, a 70-year-old institution offering both traditional and banana-tofu snail noodle soups. The broth is clear and tangy with a faint hint of fermented rice, winning over generations of diners.

Wrap up the feast with a bowl of sweet soup at the alley’s end.

Ngu Xa: The ‘pho cuon paradise’ near Truc Bach Lake

Situated on the Truc Bach Peninsula, Ngu Xa has long been famous for its fresh rice noodle rolls (pho cuon). Popular restaurants like Chinh Thang, Hung Ben, and Huong Mai line the street, making it convenient for visitors to sample and compare.

Pho cuon features large sheets of rice noodle wrapped around stir-fried beef and herbs, served with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. Other variations include crispy fried pho, egg-fried pho, and tamarind sauce pho salad.

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