Look for the words “Quan Chay” which means vegetarian eatery or “Quan Com Chay” which means vegetarian rice eatery if you're trying to find vegetarian restaurants in Vietnam. Specifically “chay” means vegetarian. It’s a word worth having at your fingertips. I’m not a vegetarian but I find myself eating vegetarian food more and more. These are my favourite vegetarian eateries in Saigon.
Bong Sung Vegetarian restaurant
This may be the cutest place in downtown Saigon for a vegetarian feed - relaxed vibe, friendly staff, central location (about 100 metres from Notre Dame Cathedral) and good food. Bong Sung serves a tasty mix of vegetarian versions of Vietnamese dishes - rolls, soups, salads, curries and rice dishes. Don’t believe the algorithm driven nonsense online that describe this place as fine dining. It’s a casual friendly spot with a leafy outdoor terrace. The prices are fine - you'll probably come more than once.
Address: 86 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City - down the alley
Photo: Mark Bowyer Bong Sung Vegetarian Restaurant, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer Bong Sung Vegetarian Restaurant, Saigon
Organik House
Organik House is a cosy vegan eatery on the fringe of downtown Saigon. It’s popular with Saigon's expats with good food and a friendly communal vibe. The owners have been active in promoting plastic free hospitality in Saigon. Their website would indicate that they are now prioritising selling eco-friendly stuff too.
Address: 7F Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Photo: Mark Bowyer Organik House vegetarian, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer Quyen, co-owner of Organik House vegetarian, Saigon
Hum
Hum has had huge success with their slick take on vegetarian dining. They now have three restaurants around Saigon serving international vegetarian cuisine to big crowds. The blurb on their website would suggest they have big plans. It’s a polished outfit - a different feel to the ascetic shabbiness that once characterised vegetarian dining.
Address downtown: 2 Thi Sach St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Address District 2: 32, D10 St, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Prem Vegetarian Bistro
Slightly away from the centre of town, Prem serves up international vegetarian and vegan cuisine - curries, salads, pastas and more - in a cool space. They also have a cafe serving good coffee downstairs called Kakfa.
Address: 204 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City - close by the War Remnants Museum
Photo: Mark Bowyer Prem Vegetarian Bistro, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer Prem Vegetarian Bistro, Saigon
Com Chay Tin Nghia Vegetarian Restaurant
Tin Nghia is a Saigon institution - one of the oldest restaurants in the city. By some estimates it’s been on Tran Hung Dao St for more than a century. This is one of those priceless places that you visit for the whole experience - history, atmosphere and food.
Address: 9 Tran Hung Dao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City - not far from Ben Thanh Market and the backpacker district.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Com Chay Tin Nghia - Ho Chi Minh City
Photo: Mark Bowyer The owners of Com Chay Tin Nghia - Ho Chi Minh City
The Old Compass Cafe
The Old Compass Cafe is our place in Saigon. It’s not strictly vegetarian but we serve a delicious daily Vietnamese vegetarian set - lunch and dinner. I try it regularly and bina fide vegetarians give our daily vegetarian set rave reviews. We're also a great spot for a glass of wine. Come by and see us.
Address: 63/11 Pasteur St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (down the alley and up the stairs next to Liberty Citypoint hotel).
Photo: Mark Bowyer The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
Disclosure
Rusty Compass recommendations are always independent. We list the places you should know about. That’s it. We paid our way at all of the restaurants listed here and no money changed hands for a listing. We are the owners of The Old Compass Cafe - so we eat there often.
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