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My Son Sanctuary Tour for Vegetarians & Vegans – A Delicious Plant-Based Adventure

But if you are vegetarian or vegan, there is another question that may be on your mind: What will I eat during the trip?

Will lunch be nothing more than plain rice and a few vegetables?

Fortunately, there is no need to worry. Vietnamese cuisine offers a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables, herbs, tofu, rice, noodles, mushrooms, and plant-based dishes. With a little preparation, a vegetarian or vegan traveler can enjoy a satisfying food experience while exploring My Son.

See details: >>> Mỹ Sơn group tour from Hoi An with lunch

Tell Your Tour Operator About Your Diet Before the Trip

The easiest way to avoid food problems is to communicate before your My Son Sanctuary tour begins.

When booking, clearly explain whether you are:

• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Strictly plant-based
• Allergic to particular ingredients
• Avoiding fish sauce or seafood
• Avoiding eggs or dairy products

Do not simply say that you are a vegetarian if you actually follow a vegan diet. Food terminology can vary between countries, and some Vietnamese dishes considered vegetarian may still contain eggs, fish sauce, or other animal-derived ingredients.

Giving the tour operator advance notice allows the restaurant or kitchen to prepare an appropriate meal rather than trying to find alternatives at the last minute.

Discover How Vegetarian-Friendly Vietnamese Cuisine Can Be

Vietnamese food is often built around fresh ingredients. Even when meat or seafood is removed, there are plenty of ways to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

During your trip, you may come across dishes or variations such as these:

Gỏi Cuốn – Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls

Fresh spring rolls are a great choice for travelers who enjoy light and refreshing food. Rice paper can be filled with lettuce, herbs, vermicelli noodles, tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables.

However, always ask about the dipping sauce. A sauce that appears vegetarian may contain fish sauce, so vegan travelers should specifically request a plant-based alternative.

Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Tofu is one of the most useful ingredients for vegetarian travelers in Vietnam. It can be stir-fried with morning glory, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, peppers, or other seasonal vegetables.

The result is colorful, filling, and easy to pair with steamed rice.

Vegetarian Phở and Noodle Soups

Phở, bún, and other Vietnamese noodle dishes can often be adapted for vegetarians. Instead of meat, the bowl may contain tofu, mushrooms, vegetables, herbs, and a vegetable-based broth.

Remember to ask about the broth itself. Removing the meat from a noodle soup does not necessarily make the dish vegetarian if the stock was prepared with meat or bones.

Cơm – Vietnamese Rice Meals

A simple Vietnamese rice meal can become a delicious plant-based lunch when paired with tofu, stir-fried vegetables, mushrooms, pickles, herbs, and a suitable dipping sauce.

For travelers who have spent the morning walking around My Son‘s archaeological area, a warm bowl of rice with vegetables can be particularly satisfying.

Watch Out for Fish Sauce

One of the most important things for vegan and vegetarian travelers to remember is nước mắm, or Vietnamese fish sauce.

Fish sauce is widely used in Vietnamese cooking and can appear in dipping sauces, marinades, stir-fries, soups, and seasonings. A dish may look completely vegetarian while the sauce contains fish sauce.

If you are vegan or strictly vegetarian, make your requirement clear: no fish sauce and no seafood-based ingredients.

Asking about sauces is just as important as asking about the main ingredients.

What About Eggs?

Vegetarian definitions differ around the world. Some vegetarians eat eggs, while vegans avoid them completely.

If you eat eggs, you may have more choices at restaurants and on group tours. If you are vegan, make sure you specifically mention no eggs when ordering or booking your meal.

The same applies to dairy products and other animal-derived ingredients. Clear communication is the safest approach.

Bring a Few Snacks for Your My Son Adventure

Even if your tour operator has arranged a vegetarian or vegan lunch, carrying a few snacks is a sensible idea—especially if you have specific allergies or follow a strict diet.

Useful travel snacks include:

• Nuts and seeds
• Dried fruit
• Energy bars
• Fresh fruit
• Crackers
• Plant-based snacks that you know are safe for you

This is particularly helpful if you are joining a full-day itinerary and are not sure exactly what food will be available between sightseeing stops.

Explore Vegetarian Restaurants in Hoi An

If you want more variety before or after your trip to My Son, Hoi An is a great place to explore Vietnamese vegetarian food.

Rather than relying entirely on the lunch included in your tour, you can plan a separate vegetarian meal in Hoi An and discover dishes prepared specifically for plant-based diners.

Travelers who want to go beyond simply eating vegetarian food can also join a dedicated Hoi An Vegetarian Cooking Class.

It is a fun way to learn how Vietnamese cooks use vegetables, tofu, herbs, rice paper, noodles, and sauces to create flavorful dishes without relying on meat.

Combine My Son with a Hoi An Food Experience

If food is an important part of your trip, consider adding another culinary experience to your Hoi An itinerary after visiting My Son.

A Hoi An cooking class gives you the chance to learn how Vietnamese dishes are prepared rather than simply ordering them at a restaurant.

For a countryside experience, a Tra Que cooking class can be especially interesting for vegetarians because Tra Que is famous for its vegetable gardens and fresh herbs.

You can see where ingredients are grown, learn about local farming traditions, and then use fresh produce to prepare Vietnamese dishes.

Experience the Countryside Beyond the Temples

A visit to My Son is an opportunity to see another side of Central Vietnam. The journey from Hoi An takes you away from the busy streets of the Old Town and into a greener, more rural landscape.

If you enjoy discovering the relationship between food and agriculture, consider a Hoi An farming tour.

You can also choose the Hoi An Buffalo Riding – Wet Rice Tour and Cooking Class for an immersive look at traditional rural life.

These experiences add context to Vietnamese cuisine by showing you how rice, herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients are connected to the countryside.

What Should Vegetarian Travelers Expect on a My Son Tour?

The exact experience depends on your tour operator and itinerary. Some group tours include a set lunch at a local restaurant, while other itineraries may offer different meal arrangements.

For this reason, it is best not to assume that every My Son Sanctuary tour provides the same vegetarian menu.

Before booking, check:

• Whether lunch is included
• Whether vegetarian meals are available
• Whether vegan meals can be arranged
• Whether the restaurant uses fish sauce
• Whether the meal can accommodate allergies
• Whether you need to make a special request in advance

Practical Tips for Vegan Travelers in Vietnam

Learn a Few Useful Words

Knowing how to communicate your dietary requirements can make traveling easier. The word “chay” is commonly associated with vegetarian food in Vietnam.

However, if you are vegan or have a serious allergy, do not rely on a single word. Explain exactly what you cannot eat and ask about the ingredients in the dish.

Ask About the Sauce

Many Vietnamese dishes depend on sauces for their distinctive flavor. Always ask whether the sauce contains fish sauce, shrimp paste, oyster sauce, or other animal-derived ingredients.

Don’t Assume “Vegetarian” Means Vegan

Different restaurants may interpret vegetarian eating differently. If you avoid eggs, dairy, fish sauce, or seafood completely, make that clear when ordering.

Plan Ahead for Full-Day Tours

A My Son day trip can involve walking, sightseeing, transportation, and time outdoors. A good breakfast and a few suitable snacks can help keep your energy up until lunchtime.

Why My Son Is Worth Visiting for Food-Loving Travelers

At first glance, My Son and Vietnamese food may seem like two completely different travel experiences. One is about ancient architecture and Champa history; the other is about flavors, ingredients, and everyday life.

But together they offer a more complete picture of Central Vietnam.

After exploring the ancient temple towers, you can return to the modern Vietnamese countryside and enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs, rice, noodles, and other local ingredients. Food becomes another way to understand the region and its people.

Final Thoughts: Explore My Son Without Compromising Your Diet

Being vegetarian or vegan should not stop you from enjoying a My Son Sanctuary tour from Hoi An. Vietnamese cuisine offers plenty of plant-based possibilities, from fresh spring rolls and tofu dishes to vegetable stir-fries, noodle soups, rice meals, tropical fruits, and fragrant herbs.

The most important thing is to plan ahead and communicate clearly. Tell your tour operator about your diet before departure, ask about fish sauce and broth, clarify whether eggs or dairy are used, and bring a few snacks if you have strict dietary requirements.

Then you can focus on what really matters: walking among the ancient Champa temples, learning the stories of My Son, enjoying the scenery, and discovering the delicious plant-based side of Vietnamese cuisine.

For an even deeper culinary adventure, continue your journey with a Hoi An Vegetarian Cooking Class and discover how fresh local ingredients can be transformed into memorable Vietnamese dishes.