The short answer
Vinh An Chay: what visitors should know first
Yes, for cheap, local vegetarian food near the backpacker area. Spinach says the whole menu is vegan, but staff are not always sure of ingredients, so we have not tagged it vegan. Ask about drinks and sauces. Seating is basic plastic furniture.
Diet
What we checked
- Pure Veg. The whole menu has no meat, fish or egg. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Useful facts
Vinh An Chay facts at a glance
- Location
- 63 De Tham, District 1
- Dining style
- Basic local vegan eatery
- Price signal
- Inexpensive
- Signature order
- Try: vegan com tam or a hotpot combo
- Good for
- Quick local vegan meals
Why it matters
Why Vinh An Chay is worth your time
Vietnam has a long Buddhist habit of eating chay, or meatless, on set days of the month, and small restaurants like this one serve that regular local trade. Eating here means sitting among residents rather than tourists, which is how many visitors prefer to meet the city.
It also costs little. With HappyCow reviewers giving it 4.7 from a small number of reviews, it is a sensible pick for a plain, vegan lunch near your hotel if you do not want a fuller restaurant meal.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Vegan broken rice
The menu centres on com tam, a Saigon staple, in a vegan version.
- 02
Combos for sharing
Combo meals and hotpots let a family sample several dishes.
- 03
Early opening
Spinach lists opening from 6:30am daily, earlier than most restaurants here.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Vinh An Chay is a low-key local place at 63 De Tham, with plastic chairs and picture menus on the wall rather than a designed room. The kitchen is vegan and focuses on com tam (broken rice), noodle dishes, spring rolls and hotpots, with combo meals that suit sharing.
For a first visit, pick a com tam plate, which in Vietnam is normally served with grilled meat and here uses vegan substitutes, and add spring rolls or a bun thai noodle dish. Reviewers also mention pho and iced tea. Combos are the easiest way for a family of three or four to try several things.
Spinach notes that staff are not always certain about ingredients; a reviewer suspected the ginseng drink might contain honey, which would not be vegan. If that matters to you, skip the specialty drinks or ask directly.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Ask about honey in specialty drinks
- Look at the entrance before bringing a parent
- Order a combo to share
- Carry small notes
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- De Tham street, District 1
- Time needed
- About 45 minutes
- Best time
- Lunch or dinner
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Basic plastic chairs and picture menus on the wall, with no frills. Seating is simple and there is no mention of steps, so look at the entrance first if mobility is limited.
- Tickets and access
- Walk-ins only. Spinach lists daily hours of 6:30am to 9:30pm. Staff are said not to always know the ingredients, so ask before ordering the ginseng drink.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Vinh An Chay
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Basic plastic chairs and picture menus on the wall, with no frills. Seating is simple and there is no mention of steps, so look at the entrance first if mobility is limited.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Vinh An Chay fully vegan?
Spinach states that everything on the menu is vegan, but warns that staff do not always know the ingredients and one drink may contain honey. We have not tagged it vegan, so ask before ordering if that matters.
What should I order?
Vegan com tam, spring rolls or a hotpot combo are the dishes the listing highlights.
What are the hours?
Spinach lists daily hours of 6:30am to 9:30pm.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
