Ho Chi Minh City has secured a place among the world’s best destinations for food in 2026, according to a new ranking published by Time Out, underscoring the Vietnamese metropolis’s growing reputation as a global culinary hotspot.
Ranked sixth on the list of the world’s best food cities, Ho Chi Minh City was praised for a dining scene that seamlessly blends internationally acclaimed fine dining with the vibrant street food culture that has long defined the city.
According to Time Out, 2026 marks a turning point for the City’s high-end culinary landscape, with several local restaurants gaining recognition from some of the world’s most influential food publications and industry awards.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to Vietnam’s first zero-waste plant-based restaurant, the accolade reflects the growing international attention being paid to Vietnam’s new generation of chefs and contemporary dining concepts.
The city’s culinary evolution is also redefining traditional Vietnamese dishes. Yet despite the rise of innovative fine dining experiences, Ho Chi Minh City continues to celebrate its street-food heritage.
Vietnam Culinary Tour from Ho Chi Minh
Time Out noted that visitors can still enjoy a bowl of phở served from decades-old simmering stockpots on roadside plastic stools for a fraction of the cost of a tasting-menu experience. The coexistence of both worlds, the publication said, is part of what makes the city’s food culture unique.
“The city has the swagger to hold both bowls at once”, the ranking stated, highlighting Ho Chi Minh City’s ability to embrace culinary innovation without losing sight of its roots.
The ranking was based on assessments from food experts as well as surveys of local residents. Ho Chi Minh City received a 70% score from Time Out’s expert panel, while approximately three-quarters of surveyed locals described the city’s dining scene as either “good” or “amazing”.
Street food emerged as the city’s greatest culinary strength, with 63% of respondents identifying it as Ho Chi Minh City’s top food offering. Cafés and coffee shops followed closely behind, earning approval from 61% of locals and reinforcing Vietnam’s status as one of the world’s leading coffee cultures.
The recognition comes as Vietnam continues to gain prominence on the global gastronomic map. From Michelin-starred tasting menus to bustling street-side eateries, Ho Chi Minh City’s food scene increasingly reflects a city where tradition, innovation and accessibility coexist, offering experiences that appeal to both international gourmands and everyday diners alike.
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