How much is a bowl of soup in Vietnam?

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A bowl of soup in Vietnam, like Pho, typically costs between $2 and $4 USD. Street food vendors offer cheaper options (around $2), while restaurants may charge upwards of $4. Prices vary depending on location and establishment type. Expect to pay 50,000 – 100,000 VND.

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What does a bowl of soup cost in Vietnam?

Okay, here’s my take on the cost of soup in Vietnam, from my own, sometimes messy, experiences:

A bowl of soup from a street food stall usually sets you back a few dollars. Easy enough, right?

Honestly, Vietnam’s street food scene blew my mind. It’s dirt cheap & tastes AMAZING. In fact, i went Vietnam 11/2023, and spent like USD 20/day on food, it was incredible, that included drinks too.

For pho (I love pho, BTW!), you might find it for 50,000 VND. Or spend double for something fancier. I remember paying 70,000 VND ($3 approx) for a truly delicious bowl in Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake. The broth? Unforgettable.

But yeah, the real beauty? It’s the small local spots, not the fancy tourist traps, that offer the best value & flavor.

How much is soup in Vietnam?

Soup prices in Vietnam show some variance. A bowl of pho may cost around 20,000 VND (roughly $1 USD).

Rice dishes with meat and salad average around 35,000 VND ($1.65 USD). It’s quite affordable. The sensory overload of tastes there are unreal.

Ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with milk) rarely exceeds 10,000 VND ($0.50 USD). I mean, where else can you get great coffee that cheap? It’s a truly globalized world.

How much is in a bowl of soup?

Okay, soup, right? I totally remember this one time…

It was January 2024. Freezing cold, see. I was in Hanoi, Vietnam, specifically on Ta Hien Street, backpacker central.

I craved pho. Like, NEEDED pho.

I saw this lady with a street cart. A real hole-in-the-wall setup. Ordered a bowl.

It came in this kinda chipped, but clean enough, bowl.

Probably held, I dunno, 500ml, maybe? It looked bigger because of all the broth!
She charged me 30,000 VND. That’s, like, peanuts. Less than $2 USD, definitely.

The flavors, man, intense.

Totally different from the pho I get back in New York, in Jackson Heights. Way more herbs.

And the broth? It was clearer, lighter. Cleaner taste.

Back home, a bowl of decent pho, that’ll run you, like, $15 easy. Crazy difference.

Thinking about soup portions…

I usually make soup at home in a huge pot. That’s about 4 quarts, I guess? Easily feeds like, 8-10 people.
I use a measuring cup for the broth. Everything else, I just eyeball it. Who cares?

Yeah, measuring soup capacity? Ladle, measuring cup, maybe a big spoon. Depends on how accurate you need to be! Don’t overthink it!

Is it polite to drink soup from the bowl in Vietnam?

It’s not rude. I’ve lived in Vietnam for five years. People do it. You’ll see it. Spooning the broth is fine, though. It’s a matter of personal preference. Really.

My aunt, she always slurps it up. She’s from the Mekong Delta. Very traditional. No one bats an eye. I think. Honestly, I just do what I want.

The last bowl of pho I had, the broth was amazing. Couldn’t resist. It felt natural. I drained the bowl.

Sometimes I just spoon it. Depends on the mood, I guess. And the soup. Good broth is worth savoring. You know?

Key Points:

Drinking broth from the bowl in Vietnam is perfectly acceptable. Many people do it.
Spooning the broth is also fine. It’s a personal choice.
There’s no single “correct” way. Don’t stress.

What is the etiquette for eating pho?

Hands on the table, always. Face close to the bowl.

It’s just… how it’s done, y’know? Chopsticks for the noodles, the meat, the green things. Spoon for the broth.

Wait for the host. Is that still a thing? It feels… formal. I do that at Mom’s.

Hands on the Table: This is a fairly universal dining etiquette, but it’s especially emphasized in Vietnamese culture. It displays respect. Keeping your hands visible avoids suspicion of anything happening under the table.
Face Close to the Bowl: Less about manners, more about maximizing the experience. Keeps the steam and aroma close. You don’t want to miss any scent. I hate the cold noodle and soup.
Chopsticks and Spoon: Standard tools. Chopsticks for solids. Spoon for the beautiful, fragrant broth. Never stab the food. I never get that, why are they stabbing?
Waiting for the Host: This is a sign of respect, particularly in formal settings or when dining with elders. The host indicates when the meal can begin. Mom insists. I can’t start until she touches the bowl.

I think… etiquette, it’s about showing respect. Or something. Feels like it’s disappearing. No one cares anymore.

What is a normal portion of soup?

A cup of soup? Pfft. That’s for ants! My grandma’s soup portions were closer to a small swimming pool. Seriously, you’d need a ladle the size of a shovel.

A normal portion? Depends on your stomach’s ambition. My neighbor, old man Fitzwilliam, swears by a 2-gallon cauldron of his infamous “Mystery Meat Stew.” I’ve seen it, it’s terrifying.

Here’s the deal:

USDA says 1 cup (240ml). Lies, all lies! They’ve obviously never met a hungry human.
My personal record: 3.5 cups. Don’t judge. It was a particularly good potato soup. (from that amazing place I went to in June 2024)
Factors: Bowl size matters! A thimble? A washtub? The context is everything, man.

Think of it like this: is a thimble a normal portion of pudding? Exactly. Soup’s the same. It’s about the experience, not the milliliters.

Pro Tip: Always go for seconds. And thirds. And maybe even fourths, if you’re feeling adventurous. And if the server ain’t looking.

Does pho fill you up?

Pho filling? Oh honey, absolutely. It’s like a warm hug… a brothy hug.

That broth? It’s a volume champion, inflating you like a majestic (and savory) balloon.

Lean proteins, veggies, and noodles? It’s a health parade disguised as comfort food. Beef fatty? Maybe.

Think of pho as a delicious Trojan Horse sneaking healthy things into your belly.