❗️Tourists now fly to Vietnam with empty suitcases—to bring back snacks. Snack tourism became a distinct trend in early 2026. 🍟
The hashtag #snackvietnam has garnered millions of views, tour operators are adding street snack tours to their programs, and markets have overtaken restaurants in popularity.
What they bring home:
🟣 Chips with mango, tamarind, and seafood
🟣 Egg tarts bánh pía
🟣 Jelly candies
🟣 Instant noodles Hảo Hảo
🟣 Filter coffee bags
Tourist Dannica Refe returned with two suitcases of snacks worth approximately $280. Verdict: "Cheaper and tastier than at home."
The best streets to buy snacks:
📍 Hanoi: Hàng Bè, Hàng Quạt, Old Quarter at night
📍 Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Thanh, Bùi Viện, District 3 alleys
📍 Da Nang: Con Market, Han Market
Markets and sidewalk stalls are the new main attraction. CEO of VNA Travel: "People used to ask for pho and buncha in restaurants. Now they want to stand on the sidewalk and eat fried flatbreads."
