People are becoming more conscious about what they’re eating nowadays. The organic food trend is picking up in Vietnam too, as consumers want to know more about the food they eat in restaurants and buy from the markets and street sellers. Both foreign visitors and locals are getting more concerned about the food they are consuming and therefore many people are looking for organic food. The number of farmer groups in Vietnam that grow organic and safe vegetables is growing so the chances of you finding organic food on your trip in Vietnam is bigger now than it has been, thanks to the demand.
In recent years, public concerns about food safety have grown and more shops are now labeling their food as “clean” in order to make sure that consumers know what they’re buying and getting. Many of the locals in Vietnam don’t have the time to cook food at home and therefore you’ll notice that many people usually dine out. This means less control of what you’re actually putting in your mouth since you can’t source the products. More people are also willing to pay a bit extra to get organic food.
It might be easier for a local though to find organic food than a traveler who’s never been there for example. So if you want to know how to find organic food while traveling in Vietnam, here are a few tips for you:
Look for the label “clean” or “organic”
In Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, you can find hundreds of stores that sell fresh vegetables and organic fruits for people to buy. There are also many places nowadays that labels their produce as “clean”, making it easier to navigate through the markets. There are also sixy shops in Hanoi that has obtained licenses in order to prove that they are selling safe vegetables and fruits that are organic.
Google it!
The best thing you can do is to google for organic food. This works best in big cities, where there are more options, but you can perhaps also find it for smaller cities. As more travelers are visiting Vietnam and sharing about their journey, there is a possibility that they also share an interest in organic food and might share it on their social medias for example.
Visit stores that only sell organic produce
In Ho Chi Minh City, there are numerous shops that specialise in selling organic produce. In order to keep up with the healthy lifestyle that many people are craving in Vietnam, new shops and restaurants keep popping up that offers organic products. It has never been easier to find organic products in the big cities of Vietnam! For example, you can visit the Nam An Market where they specialize in a range of products – of course, organic. There is even an aisle just for “healthy snacks”. There is also the Sweets de Luxe, that offers only natural ingredients sourced from authentic supplies from around the world such as Australia, America and Japan. They sell trail mixes, dried fruits and nuts that you can all eat with a good conscience.
Another reason why you should try to find organic food while traveling in Vietnam is that small farmers can benefit from it. Most of the farming in Vietnam is small scale and family based. By demanding more organic food, you will encourage the domestic market to make healthy, organic food more profitable for farmers and more accessible for the Vietnamese people. Organic is not just about eating more healthy. It’s also about creating the best possible system to profit all the biotic communities involved. By going organic, you will support a more sustainable way of living. It benefits the economy, culture and nature. Organic farmers has seen increased incomes, improvements in their communities, local biodiversity, in their own health, and are more satisfied knowing that they are supplying organic and clean food for their customers and themselves.
So next time you’re traveling in Vietnam and want to know that the food you’re eating is safe and clean, go for the organic food and support the local community in achieving their goals of a healthier life.
Before you embark on your journey to Vietnam, make sure that you have a valid Vietnam visa. Most nationalities are required to have a visa in order to enter the country, but there are a few exceptions. If you do need a visa, there are three alternatives to choose from: Visa on Arrival, E-Visa or go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply with them. There are pros and cons with each visa option so make sure that you check thoroughly which one fits you best before applying. The E-Visa is for example only eligible for certain countries in the world and the Visa on Arrival only allows you to fly into the country, not cross by land. Therefore, it’s imperative that you read about each visa so you can find out which one is best for you.
