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Vietnamese, Western, and Healthy Choices for Your Morning

Ho Chi Minh City offers a diverse range of morning meal options to start your day. From traditional Vietnamese flavors to familiar Western dishes and healthy plant-based choices, the city provides many breakfast experiences. This guide explores nine places where you can find different breakfast options.

Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a relaxed brunch, these establishments cater to various tastes and preferences. Explore a variety of Ho Chi Minh City breakfast options, many of which open early to serve the city’s morning rhythm.

The Pins

01

For a taste of Western comfort in a distinctive setting, Au Parc Café provides a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern start to your day.

Au Parc Café

4.5 (2,203) Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google from 2,203 reviews

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:30-23:00 daily +84 28 3829 2772

For a quieter Western-style breakfast that prioritizes ambiance and service, Au Parc Cafe offers a spacious, established setting near key District 1 landmarks. It stands out from the more modern or bustling brunch spots by offering a more classic, relaxed start to your day.

Go here if
a refined breakfast in a beautiful heritage building
Skip if
you prefer Vietnamese breakfast or a casual cafe experience
02

Continuing with European influences, SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch offers a modern twist on classic brunch dishes.

SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch, Nguyen Trung Truc

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

08:00-22:00 daily +84901109880

SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch provides an option for those seeking a bright, aesthetically driven brunch spot with a focus on sweet treats alongside savory European-Asian fusion dishes. It caters to a more contemporary taste than the traditional cafes on this list, making it ideal for a leisurely, photo-friendly meal.

Go here if
a modern, stylish brunch with excellent pastries
Skip if
you are looking for a quick, traditional breakfast
03

If you are looking for a place with both familiar and local flavors, The Running Bean features a blend of Western and Vietnamese brunch selections.

The Running Bean

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

07:30–22:00 daily +84 28 3915 0055

The Running Bean excels as a modern, spacious cafe offering both Western and Vietnamese breakfast options in a lively setting. It is a good choice when some in your group prefer a full brunch and others want a local coffee, bridging the gap between traditional Vietnamese and contemporary Western cafes on this list.

Go here if
a contemporary cafe with a wide variety of breakfast options for a group
Skip if
you want a purely local or very quiet breakfast experience
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04

For an authentic Vietnamese breakfast experience, step into the alley where Bánh cuốn nóng Hào Hoa prepares a classic local dish.

Bánh cuốn nóng Hào Hoa

4.8 (135) Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 135 reviews

Vietnamese Cuisine · Ho Chi Minh City

07:00-11:00 daily

Bánh cuốn nóng Hào Hoa offers a truly authentic, street-side Vietnamese breakfast experience focused on one specialty. Unlike the various bánh mì stalls, this is the place to go specifically for freshly steamed rice rolls, providing a distinct texture and flavor profile among the Vietnamese options.

Go here if
freshly made bánh cuốn from a local street vendor
Skip if
you prefer a sit-down restaurant or a wider menu
05

Moving towards a lighter, healthy Western option, Barterls at Sonatus offers a focused menu of sourdough and fresh beverages.

Barterls at Sonatus

3.9 (632) Rated 3.9 out of 5 on Google from 632 reviews

Sandwiches Burgers · Ho Chi Minh City

BARTELS at Sonatus is the top choice on this list for a high-quality, artisanal sourdough sandwich and excellent coffee. It stands apart from the bánh mì vendors by offering a Western-style sandwich, making it ideal if you crave quality bread and a more European breakfast approach.

Go here if
a gourmet sourdough sandwich and good coffee in a modern setting
Skip if
you are looking for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast
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06

For another quintessential Vietnamese morning meal, Bánh Mì Bà Huynh offers one of the city's iconic street food sandwiches.

Bánh Mì Bà Huynh (Madam Win)

4.6 (3,601) Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 3,601 reviews

Vietnamese Cuisine · Ho Chi Minh City

06:00-22:00 daily 19000322

Bánh Mì Bà Huynh (Madam Win) is a reliable choice for a classic Vietnamese bánh mì, offering a consistent and robust version of this iconic sandwich. It is a solid pick for a quick, affordable, and distinctly local breakfast when you want a well-made version of a staple.

Go here if
a classic, flavorful Vietnamese bánh mì on the go
Skip if
you prefer a sit-down meal or a different breakfast style
07

Returning to Western influences with a fusion touch, The Melbourne Cafe brings an Australian-style brunch to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Melbourne Cafe

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

07:00-21:30 daily +84769907991

The Melbourne Cafe brings an Australian brunch sensibility to Ho Chi Minh City, offering a different take on Western breakfast than other cafes on this list. It is a good option when you are looking for dishes like smashed avocado or a heartier, all-day breakfast menu with quality coffee, distinct from the lighter European or local Vietnamese offerings.

Go here if
an Australian-style brunch with substantial Western breakfast items
Skip if
you want a traditional Vietnamese breakfast or a quieter cafe
08

For those seeking a fully plant-based and healthy start to the day, Roots Plant-based Cafe near Bến Thành Market offers dedicated vegan options.

Roots Plant-based Cafe – Ben Thanh

4.9 (1,638) Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 1,638 reviews

Ho Chi Minh City

Mon-Sun: 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM +84 372 666 002

Roots Plant-based Cafe - Ben Thanh caters specifically to those seeking a vegan and health-conscious breakfast. It stands out on this list as the only fully plant-based option, offering a refreshing alternative to the meat-heavy Vietnamese dishes and Western brunches, especially if you prioritize fresh, local produce.

Go here if
a healthy, plant-based breakfast near Ben Thanh Market
Skip if
you prefer traditional Vietnamese or a full-service Western brunch
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09

To conclude our breakfast journey, Bánh Mì Chảo Huế Duệ Cô Lệ provides a unique and interactive Vietnamese breakfast experience.

Bánh Mì Chảo Huế Duệ Cô Lệ

Vietnamese Cuisine · Ho Chi Minh City

06:00-14:00 daily +84772072270

Bánh Mì Chảo Huế Duệ Cô Lệ offers a unique, deconstructed bánh mì experience, served on a sizzling skillet. This is the place for a more substantial and interactive Vietnamese breakfast than a simple bánh mì sandwich, providing a different local flavor profile and dining style.

Go here if
a hearty, deconstructed Vietnamese breakfast served on a hot skillet
Skip if
you prefer a quick, grab-and-go meal or a formal setting

Questions about this guide

What is the typical cost for breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City?

Breakfast costs can vary widely across this list. A traditional Vietnamese breakfast, such as bánh mì or bánh cuốn, can range from 30,000 VND to 60,000 VND. Western-style brunches or cafe meals typically range from 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND per person, depending on the venue and what you order.

Do I need to make reservations for any of these breakfast spots?

For most of the street food vendors and smaller cafes, reservations are not necessary. For larger brunch spots like SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch or Au Parc Cafe, especially on weekends, it might be advisable to make a reservation or prepare for a short wait, though it is often not strictly required.

Are these breakfast spots walkable from each other?

Many of the District 1 locations, such as Au Parc Cafe, SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch, The Running Bean, Bánh cuốn nóng Hào Hoa, and BARTELS at Sonatus, are within reasonable walking distance of each other. The Melbourne Cafe and Bánh Mì Chảo Huế Duệ Cô Lệ are in District 3 and would require a short taxi or ride-hailing service from District 1.

Which area is best to stay in for easy access to these breakfast places?

District 1 is the most central location and offers the greatest concentration of diverse breakfast options on this list. Staying in District 1 would allow for easy access, often by foot, to many of the cafes and street food vendors included in this guide.

Are there any vegetarian or vegan-friendly options among these recommendations?

Yes, Roots Plant-based Cafe is a fully vegan restaurant. Additionally, many cafes offering Western-style breakfast may have vegetarian options, and some Vietnamese dishes can be adapted to be vegetarian if requested, though Roots is the dedicated plant-based choice.