Housed in a two-story villa at 25 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Vi Ha Noi (Taste of Hanoi) offers indoor and garden dining for up to 120 guests.
Australian traveler Emma Horbart, who rated the restaurant five stars on Tripadvisor, said the stir-fried noodles were flavorful.
Despite opening just two years ago Vi Ha Noi has built a solid reputation among travelers. It has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on platforms like Tripadvisor and Google, with reviewers praising its food, atmosphere and décor.
Vi Ha Noi allows diners to sit outside the eatery. Photo courtesy of Vi Ha Noi |
“Many tourists love Vietnamese food but are wary of the strong smell of shrimp paste and the saltiness of some dipping sauces,” its founder, Dang Trung Dung, says.
After working for more than a decade as a tour guide, he saw a growing need for Vietnamese dishes that retain their essence while being more approachable.
In late 2023 he turned that idea into reality.
He teamed up with Chef Nguyen Van Minh, who had over 20 years’ experience, to create a menu that balances authenticity and accessibility.
Minh explains: “Our goal isn’t fusion. It’s understanding. We keep the soul of Vietnamese cuisine, but present it with openness.”
The challenge was tempering spices. For instance, instead of using just same as you or fermented bean paste, in the grilled duck breast, Minh created a milder version mixed with honey and herbs.
For good cha (noodles with grilled meat), the dipping fish sauce was made lighter, with more vinegar and sugar for balance.
American visitor Anne Black, who visited the restaurant on a friend’s recommendation, said: “I once tried good cha at a street stall and found the sauce too salty. Here, it’s balanced.”
One standout dish is the grilled red tilapia rolls. Inspired by cha ca La Vong (turmeric fish with dill), the dish features turmeric- and dill-marinated fish, charcoal-grilled and served with vermicelli, herbs and sweet-sour fish sauce.
Restaurant manager Ngoc Anh says: “We don’t serve the original cha ca La Vong because we want visitors to try it where it belongs. Our version is more of a nod to that heritage, a new experience born from a classic.”
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The dining room on Vi Ha Noi’s second floor. Photo by Read/Hoang Giang Huy |
The atmosphere is another highlight. The restaurant has four dining rooms decorated in northern Vietnamese style with 10 to 40 covers.
The courtyard, shaded by a me ga (scarlet sterculia) tree, is a favorite spot. Inspired by the tree, the bar created a signature cocktail with a blend of pineapple, passion fruit and mint juice and priced at VND95,000 (US$3.60).
Pham Thuy Linh, who often brings her French and Swedish colleagues for lunch, said she loves the fried rice, spring rolls and com (young green rice) ice cream.
“My colleagues enjoy the duck breast with fermented soy bean paste. They said they’ve never tasted anything quite like it.”
But Vi Ha Noi also serves western options like pizza and pasta for those less accustomed to Asian flavors.
It opens daily from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and is busiest in the evenings, especially from October to April, when international tourism is at its peak.
Gary Dennis, a visitor from Indonesia, said: “The food was delicious, and the setting was tranquil. I’ll come back before leaving Vietnam.”
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