Vietnam is home to many unique and special dishes. For the most part, fresh and handmade ingredients are used to prepare dishes here. Many dishes contain meat like pork, beef, and chicken. For vegetarians, it is common to find food with tofu or other soy-based foods. If you are a vegetarian in Vietnam, the first phrase you should learn is "tôi ăn chay." It is pronounced like "toy an shy." It basically means "I am a vegetarian" or "I eat vegetarian." If you use this phrase, chefs will usually allow you to order a dish without meat or with an egg for a lower price. It is important to say chai because if you just say không thịt (no meat) you still might receive meat-based broth or seafood. This is just one of the many reasons why learning another language is very important. Overall, even if you are a vegetarian, like me, you will still be able to find something delicious to eat.
I have tried many Vietnamese dishes. Some of them are noodle and soup-based while others are made of rice. My personal favorite is banh mi. It is a dish that you can find anywhere in Vietnam, and it is loved by tourists and locals alike.
