Traveling to Vietnam With Food Allergies: Amazing Eats in Nha Trang

Contents

1 Nha Trang Delicacies: Recommendations and Allergy Tips
2 Related Stories from MyFearlessFoodie
- - - 2.0.0.1 Marisa C

Nha Trang Delicacies: Recommendations and Allergy Tips

Hey there! I’m Marisa, and I’ve got the lowdown on our recent holiday trip to a unique vacation spot–Nha Trang, Vietnam. It was an amazing trip with mouthwatering eats which made for the perfect tropical getaway immersed in Vietnamese culture. If you’re traveling to Vietnam with food allergies, I have some helpful tips for you!

I’ll write about popular Nha Trang Vietnamese delicacies that I highly recommend. Plus, I’ll suggest WHERE to stay that cater to people with food allergies and diet restrictions.

Allergen Information:

Wherever you go in a foreign country, we highly recommend you travel with the translated allergy cards to alert those who are serving and cooking for you– as then your allergies will be treated in a more serious matter. (Learn more here!)

Recommended Hotel for Families Traveling to Vietnam with Food Allergies: Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island

(Link: Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island)

We stayed at the Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa on Hon Tre Island. The service was impeccable. Many of the people there could speak fluent English, and of course the dining experience at the resort was spectacular. The resort is situated on Hon Tre Island among other resorts, about a 5 minute boat ride to the city.

Allergen Information:

As a Marriott hotel, the hotel is used to accommodating foreigners with dietary restrictions and food allergies.

From the pool bar to the all you can eat-buffet, you’ll never go hungry.

Now of course the food is great, but how are they with food allergies?

Foods at the buffet are labeled with what they contain, like shellfish, nuts, or wheat– common food allergies. We appreciated this, but at buffets there is always a chance of cross contamination. So it’s always important to be careful with what you consume at buffets.

If your food allergy is extremely severe, it is definitely a safer bet to order your food prepared by a chef using the food allergy cards. You can ask to speak to a chef or restaurant manager at the buffet (make sure to check which one because there more than one buffet restaurant) and at the pool bar. This will give you peace of mind, and be delicious!

Feasting Downtown: Nha Trang’s Affordable Food Paradise & 3 Must-Eats

As Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world with some of the tastiest foods, it’s extremely easy to find something yummy everywhere you turn.

Below I have listed a few of the many foods and delicacies we enjoyed during our stay in Nha Trang as well as additional information on traveling to Vietnam with food allergiesallergens.

Allergen Information:

Please be aware that nuts such as cashews and peanuts are extremely prominent in Nha Trang, as well as shellfish and fish since Nha Trang is a coastal city. Sesame also appears in some dishes. Take caution when dining in downtown restaurants as there is a likelihood of cross contamination in small kitchens.

1. Pho Noodle Soup: A Must-Have Traditional Vietnamese Dish

A common and globally loved dish that is everywhere… and I mean everywhere in Nha Trang!

The slow simmered aromatic bone broth, served with hand-cut rice noodles and typically beef as protein (may vary with chicken or vegetarian supplement) is as comforting as can be. Toppings include bean sprouts, lime, cilantro, and Thai basil.

Allergen information When Traveling to Vietnam With Food Allergies:

Pho is probably the most allergy-friendly dish you can consume in Vietnam, as it rarely contains nuts and nut oils. It is made with a bone broth typically from beef. The noodles are made of rice and are therefore gluten free. Pho contains fish sauce, but don’t usually have allergens like shellfish and or nuts.

Despite this, it is important to alert the chefs and waiter/waitress of your dietary concerns and triggering allergens, which is best done with the food allergy cards– as especially in Asia, may be disregarded.

2. Fruit! FRUIT!

From the exotic dragonfruit to the succulent papaya. The fresh coconuts are abundant and everywhere, as you take the refreshing sips from that sweet coconut. Vietnam is one of the best places for fruit, not only the best priced but the most tasty.

Source: freepik.com

Along with good fruit, comes good fruit desserts and drinks. We enjoyed tropical fruit juices and smoothies, as well as fresh and fruity ice creams. Through this vacation, I consumed the most fruit I have ever eaten within a week.

Dragon Mango (Gold Coast Mall)

Allergen Information When Traveling to Vietnam With Food Allergies:

Please note: Mango is in the same family as cashews and pistachios and appears in lots of foods in Nha Trang. If you are allergic to nuts, there is a chance you are allergic to mango. (Read more here!)

3. Bún Cha Hanoi (Hanoi Traditional Dish)

Originating in the vibrant streets of Hanoi, this dish is a cultural emblem of Vietnam: Grilled pork, seasoned with a mixture of herbs and spices, and rice vermicelli noodles.

Along with a dipping sauce made of vinegar, fish sauce and a hint of sweetness; creating a fragrant and light dish, a symbol of the country’s capital.

Allergen Information When Traveling to Vietnam With Food Allergies:

Nut oil: The oil used to cook the pork patties may be a nut oil. Make sure to check what oil is used to cook the pork.

Fish sauce and oyster sauce: If you are allergic to shellfish/crustaceans, and are not used to consuming oyster sauce (extracted from oysters but for some people does not spike a reaction) then this dish is not advisable for you.

Overall, all restaurants make dishes slightly differently. Make sure to alert the staff on food allergies prior to ordering.

Our Flavorful Journey in Nha Trang

Over the course of a week, my family and I visited many beautiful places from the Ponagar Temple to the Ba Ho Waterfalls – experiencing to our utmost capability everything Nha Trang had to offer. As we wandered through the bustling markets filled with coconut treats and wacky tropical shirts, we marveled at the unique energizing atmosphere. The city had so many restaurants and foods to try, it was impossible to try them all.

I hope this blog helped you gain some useful information on Nha Trang and navigating the city with food allergies, and now you feel better equipped for what’s to come. Exploring different countries can be scary for those with food allergies and restrictions; but it doesn’t have to be! Being well researched is the most important component to ensuring a relaxing and safe trip for a loved one or yourself.

Have a great trip!