I was pleasantly surprised with all the options for gluten free in Hanoi. That is exciting! Hanoi is situated in the north of the country and is the capital of Vietnam. It has a rich culture with narrow streets, temples and many markets to explore. It is also on the Red River and has a uniquely preserved French-colonial architecture.
The first time I visited Hanoi I had a sensory overload. It is a vibrant city filled with 8 million people and so many motorbikes. The nightlife is filled with lights and the streets are filled with honking and people. While it is different than what I am used to, it was so cool to see firsthand.
I not only tell you about the amazing gluten free finds in the city, but I give you all the relevant details you need to know about travelling to Hanoi. If you keep reading, you will know all about the best places to stay, how to get around, when to go and so much more.
Gluten Free in Hanoi
I was very excited to be able to find gluten free food in Hanoi. As the second biggest city in the country, there are some many different food options. The gluten free scene in Hanoi will only get better with time.
Here is a Vietnamese restaurant card to use while you are travelling there. If you find a place where people speak English, you can also ask all the cross-contamination questions. For a list of celiac questions to ask at the restaurant, click the link.
Gluten Free Vietnamese Restaurants
Hanoi is very large and there are many different cuisines everywhere. These restaurants I found were great for me, but I could have tried more. There are Indian restaurants and traditional Vietnamese restaurants that could offer gluten free Pho as well. If you keep your eyes peeled and find someone who speaks good English, you may be able to find even more places. If you do find some other places, please let me know.
Not Sorry Hanoi is a new place that popped up in Hanoi by a gluten free influencer. It is completely gluten free and their specialty is energy balls and gluten free granola. But send them a message about their hours and how to pick up some yummy gluten free items. Here is their Facebook page.
Soup for the Soul is also a place where you can pre-order some wonderful gluten free soup. They also deal with other allergens, so do not be afraid to ask. Here is their Facebook page. Message them for hours of operation and they are located at 172/46/47 Au Co Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi Social House is very conscience of food allergies. The place is nicely decorated and in a great spot. You can check out their menu here on their Facebook page and it clearly has items marked as GF.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 8 am to 11 pm.
Location: 6 Ngõ Hội Vũ, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Maazi Vietnam is an Indian restaurant in the city with tons of gluten free dishes. Just take a look at their fabulous menu.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 10 am to 11 pm.
Location: No 7A, 40 Lane, Xuan Dieu street, West Lake district, Hà Nội, 10000, Vietnam
La Studio is a vegan restaurant with awesome gluten free smoothie bowls. You can see their Facebook page here.
Hours of operation: Closed on Tuesdays. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and on the weekends from 9 am to 4 pm.
Location: 44 Ngõ 31 – Xuân Diệu, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Avalon Cafe and Lounge is a Vietnamese restaurant that is worth a visit. I had the bun bo nam bo (rice noodles, sliced beef, peanuts and sweet and sour sauce). Yum! You can check out their Facebook page.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 7 am to 11 pm.
Location: 73 Cầu Gỗ, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Hanoi Tacobar is a Mexican restaurant in Vietnam. You can see their menu here. They make their own corn tortillas and can accommodate dietary restrictions.
Hours of operation: Open daily from 10 am to 11 pm.
Location: 3A Đào Duy Từ, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
There is also a food ordering company called Vietnammmm.com if you need to get something delivered. I had yummy gluten free food from Maazi delivered to me!
Restaurants can change owners, chefs and menus: please contact the restaurant to ensure a gluten free meal can still be offered.
Wheat in Vietnamese
Here are some phrases that you should know while travelling to Vietnam:
Wheat – lúa mì | Barley – lúa mạch | Rye- lúa mạch đen |
Hydrolyzed wheat protein – protein lua mi | Egg noodles with wheat – nui | Bread – banh mi |
Click here for 3 Cooking Classes not to miss while in Hanoi.
Is Rice Vermicelli Gluten Free?
Why yes, it is totally gluten free. I found vermicelli noodles everywhere in Vietnam and they were made with rice. It is an easy addition to chicken and vegetables for a filling meal. I ate a ton of vermicelli noodles in Vietnam.
Gluten Free Shopping in Hanoi
There are tons of little and big markets where you can buy fruits and vegetables from locals. It is a great way to immerse yourself into the culture. It isn’t just about eating at local restaurants, it is about shopping and doing as the locals do.
I found so many delicious things to eat at the local markets. I did not find a ton of specifically gluten free marked goods at the grocery stores, but I still snacked on chips and dried fruit covered in chocolate.
There are night markets on the weekends. While they offer the same goods as during the day, the atmosphere is much more interesting. If you have a chance go for an evening, you will not be disappointed.
3 Easy Gluten Free Vietnamese Meals
THAT YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF
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3 Easy Gluten Free Vietnamese Meals
THAT YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF
I LOVE SPOILING MY SUBSCRIBERS
Would you like me to keep you posted on new articles and Gluten Free Products ?
*I consent to having GlutenFreeTraveller collect my data. This form collects your first name and email so we can add you to our newsletter list for awesome article updates. Check out our Privacy Policy for the full story how we collect and manage your collected date.
Getting to and from Hanoi
As the capital of Vietnam, there are many flight options into the city. Once you arrive it is easy to book Grab (Vietnamese Uber) to get to your accommodation. For any day trips, you can easily hire a car service.
| Type of Transport | Where to Book |
|---|---|
| Flights | Check out Flights Here |
| Hired Car | Check out Car Service |
| Hired Car - Grab | Download the GRAB App Here |
What to Pack
My biggest advice is not to over-pack. I loved Vietnam and I created a comprehensive Gluten Free Packing List for it.
You have to leave some room for souvenirs and gifts for your family.
Where to Stay With a Kitchen
It is so important to find a place with a kitchen. I found this place and absolutely loved it. The kitchen was equipped with everything I needed and all of the furniture was immaculate.
Check here for prices on the Newsky Apartment >> CLICK HERE<<.
Click here for the 3 Best Areas to Stay in Hanoi. I recommend awesome places in the Best Areas of the city!
Things to See in Hanoi
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
It is a UNESCO site and is located in the Ba Dinh area of the city. It is open from 8 am to 7:30 pm daily. It was first built in 1010 during the Ly Dynasty. You see the history of this great country here.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son
This is located in the center of the city and it is close to the Imperial Citadel. There is a large bridge that takes you to an island in the middle of the lake. You will get some epic pictures from here! The temple, Ngoc Long, is worth the admission price of 20,000 VND.
Temple of Literature
There is a beautiful park filled with numerous pavilions and shrines. Take a nice walk through it and you will definitely enjoy it. It is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
Old Quarter
This is where you will see the French influence and the colonial history of the city. You will find many souvenirs here. I also recommend staying in this area if you can, because it is strategically located.
If you are looking for some group activities or guided activities, you can see what they have to offer here – > Hanoi – Get Your Guide. Organizing your day trip to Ho Long Bay or a biking trip to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc has never been easier. You can read the reviews and see what you like.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi
Hanoi is beautiful any time of the year. During the peak times, it will be more expensive though. The hottest time outside of the rainy season is March to April. But to be honest the rainy season can be quite nice. Getting a quick rain in the middle of the day is sometimes the best thing to cool down. It is very hot and humid there, so don’t let the ‘rainy season’ scare you.
How Long You Should Stay in Hanoi
The city is quite large and there is lots to explore. I would recommend 4 to 6 days with 2 of those days being for out of town excursions. This allows you to understand the city more than just a quick stop-over and the day trips are pretty epic.
Safety in Hanoi
I never felt threatened and the people were very kind. There would be petty theft, just like anywhere else. If you don’t flash expensive items and loads of cash and remember to use common sense you will be fine.
The risk on safety is the motorbikes. The sheer amount of motorbikes is shocking and they do not stop for pedestrians. There are no rules and it can be scary when trying to walk across a road. My suggestion would be to watch people cross the road to see how they do it before you try it. And when you do cross, try going in a group because you can follow along. The motorbikes will not stop for you, but they will go around you. So do not stop in the middle of the road for bikes, because they will expect you to keep going. Total cultural difference and something that you have to adapt to.
Insurance in Vietnam
Things can happen, so I always recommend getting travel insurance. I usually use World Nomads. Get a quote below.
Vietnam GF
Editor’s Note: Take a Look at my Vietnam Gluten Free Country Guide if you are heading to Vietnam for invaluable tips for your gluten free adventure.
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I also have an epic article about how to live Gluten Free in Da Nang, so check it out.
Listen, I know that with planning and research you can have a remarkable adventure. I do it all of the time and with my steps, so can you.
If you have other gems you have found in Hanoi, please let me know. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
Books on Vietnam History and Background
If you are interested in learning more about Vietnam or want a cool map design of Hanoi – check out some great finds on Amazon.
Cheers, I hope you enjoyed my lovely trek,
Brett – The Ultimate Gluten Free Traveller
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