Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails: What to Eat and Where

Autumn - the season of gentle breezes, golden leaves, and cool, pleasant air - is also the perfect time to savor the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. Join Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails with Asia King Travel to discover must-try autumn delicacies and embark on this flavorful journey.

Autumn is also the perfect time to savor the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

Mooncake 

The mooncake is the symbol of autumn in Vietnam, along with bright full-moon nights, children having fun, and warm family get-togethers. From traditional ones with mixed nuts or mung bean fillings to trendy types with matcha, chocolate, or tiramisu, mooncakes are more than just tasty treats to eat - they also make meaningful gifts.

If you want to taste the authentic mooncakes along Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails, drop in at either Bao Phuong on Thuy Khue Street or Ninh Hương on Hang Dieu Street in Hanoi - two places that have been making traditional mooncakes for decades. In Ho Chi Minh City, big-name makers like Như Lan and Dong Khanh are also popular with locals and foreign visitors alike.

The mooncake is the symbol of autumn in Vietnam

Com Lang Vong (Lang Vong Village Green Rice)   

Com Lang Vong is one of Hanoi’s most exquisite autumn delicacies. These young green rice flakes, tender and fragrant, are wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, carrying the gentle aroma of newly harvested rice. Enjoying com is not just about its delicate sweetness, but also about savoring the soul of autumn in the capital.

Com can be found along Vietnam’s Autumn Food Trails at Vong Village (Cau Giay Ward) which is known for its traditional preparation methods. The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are perfect places to buy and enjoy com while immersing yourself in the beauty of Hanoi in autumn.

Com Lang Vong

Ripe Dracontomelon 

Ripe dracontomelon, or sau chin, is a signature gift of Hanoi’s autumn, when the once-green fruits turn a golden yellow with smooth, shiny skins and a tangy flavor balanced by a hint of sweetness. Locals often marinate them with sugar, salt, or chili powder, creating a rustic treat that brings back nostalgic school-day memories.

If you join Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails in autumn, you’ll easily spot street vendors selling sau chin along Phan Dinh Phung, Quan Thanh, or at Dong Xuan Market. Enjoying a few pieces in the crisp autumn breeze is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Ripe dracontomelon

Ripe Persimmons 

When autumn arrives, it’s hard to overlook the sight of vibrant, plump persimmons hanging in the orchards. Crisp persimmons offer a sweet, refreshing crunch, while the softer variety delivers a more fragrant and intense flavor - both leaving a lasting impression on anyone who tries them.

For a full experience along Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails, visit the orchards on the outskirts of Da Lat, where you can pick fresh persimmons and capture beautiful photos amid the picturesque scenery. If you love mountain landscapes, head to Trung Khanh in Cao Bang during autumn to savor luscious soft persimmons and breathe in the fresh air of the border highlands.

Ripe Persimmons 

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Sour Soup with Linh Fish

During the floating season (September–November) in the Mekong Delta, young linh fish and dien dien flowers come together to create a distinctive sour soup. The tangy flavor of tamarind, the mild sweetness of the fish, and the unique fragrance of the blossoms blend harmoniously, offering a taste that is both rustic and deeply rooted in the river culture.

As part of Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails, you can enjoy this dish at eateries in Can Tho, An Giang, or from boat vendors at the Cai Rang Floating Market. Sipping a steaming spoonful of soup while drifting on the vast waterways will give you an unforgettable culinary experience.

Sour Soup with Linh Fish

Cha Ruoi (Vietnamese Ragworm Fritters) 

Cha ruoi is one of autumn’s most exclusive delicacies, typically available only from September to November each year. The ragworms are mixed with minced pork, eggs, dill, and finely chopped mandarin peel, then fried until golden and fragrant. Its flavor is truly unique - rich and savory with a gentle citrus aroma from the mandarin peel - making it unforgettable after just one bite. Nutritious and flavorful, cha ruoi is also a culinary sign that autumn is at its finest.

As you wander through Vietnam’s Autumn Food Trails, you’ll be wanting to head to Hang Chieu or Lo Duc streets in Hanoi. Here you will find many small family-run restaurants that have been around for many years, serving authentic cha ruoi. It’s also lovely to find it served fresh and hot from a street-food stall around Dong Xuan Market, often with a side of fresh herbs and a bowl of sweet-sour fish sauce to dip in - just what you need to warm you up for a lunch on a cool autumn day.

Cha Ruoi

Banh Can (Mini Savory Pancakes)

Banh can is a rustic specialty of Da Lat, perfect for enjoying on misty autumn mornings. These small, round cakes are cooked in clay molds and served with dipping sauce - either fermented anchovy sauce or sweet-sour fish sauce - accompanied by meatballs, quail eggs, or seafood. The hot, fragrant, slightly crispy cakes, combined with the smoky aroma from charcoal stoves, make this dish a “warming specialty” for chilly days.

Visit Da Lat in autumn, and you can enjoy banh can at popular spots like Nha Chung Banh Can, Co Bay Banh Can, or stalls around Da Lat Market. As you follow Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails, start your day sitting by a glowing charcoal stove, savoring steaming banh can while watching the morning mist - a memory sure to stay with you long after you leave the City of a Thousand Flowers.

Banh Can

Banh Xeo Mien Trung (Central Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes)

Central Vietnam's Banh xeo is notably flavorful with its thin and crispy rice flour batter that is blended with turmeric to give it its yellow color. Normally, the stuffing is made of shrimp, pork, mung beans, and green onions, which provides a sweet freshness and a particular fragrance to the dish. When served with fresh herbs and dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce, it is a perfect mix that gives a flavor unique to the area.

Autumn in Central Vietnam brings pleasant weather, making it the perfect time to enjoy sizzling hot banh xeo at riverside eateries along the Thu Bon River in Quang Nam or by My Khe Beach in Da Nang. While exploring the Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails, the lovely weather and delicious tastes will bring back to you the wonderful times of this amazing country.

Banh Xeo Mien Trung

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Tips for the Perfect Autumn Trip

Plan your timing wisely

Autumn’s “golden period” varies across regions. Northern Vietnam is at its best from September to November, with cool breezes and plenty of seasonal delicacies. Central and Southern Vietnam also have their own peak moments, from the floating season in the Mekong Delta to unique regional specialties. A well-planned Vietnam tour itinerary ensures you won’t miss the most memorable experiences along Vietnam's Autumn Food Trails.

Autumn’s “golden period” varies across regions.

Enjoy seasonal dishes in the right place

Signature autumn treats like com Lang Vong, cha ruoi, or banh xeo each have their own “prime” season. Research reputable spots or ask a local guide during your Vietnam tour for recommendations to enjoy the most authentic flavors.

Enjoy seasonal dishes in the right place

Combine culture and nature

Don’t just focus on the food - immerse yourself in autumn landscapes such as Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Da Lat’s persimmon orchards, or the waterways of the Mekong Delta. This is the perfect season to experience Vietnam’s beauty in transition.

Don’t just focus on the food - immerse yourself in autumn landscapes

Capture and keep the memories

Autumn offers stunning scenery and irresistible food - make sure to capture those special moments to make your journey truly complete.

Capture and keep the memories

Conclusion 

Each autumn delicacy in Vietnam is tied to a specific land, a story, and a unique flavor. Combining culinary delights with a journey through autumn landscapes will make your trip truly complete. If you’re looking for a well-planned Vietnam tour itinerary to experience both the tastes and sights of the season along Vietnam's Seasonal Food Trails, Asia King Travel is ready to be your trusted companion.

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