Vietnamese cuisine is packed with fresh flavors, bright colors, and satisfying textures that can turn an ordinary weeknight dinner into something special. Side dishes play a huge role in Vietnamese meals, balancing bold mains with crisp vegetables, tangy dips, and fragrant herbs.
The best part? Most of these sides come together quickly with ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
Whether you are new to Vietnamese cooking or already a fan, these 19 sides are sure to liven up your table.
1. Goi Du Du - Green Papaya Salad
Crunchy, tangy, and wildly refreshing, green papaya salad is one of those dishes that wakes up your taste buds instantly. Shredded unripe papaya is tossed with lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili for a perfectly balanced bite.
Top it with crushed roasted peanuts and fresh herbs for extra texture. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or a simple bowl of rice, making it a go-to midweek side that feels anything but boring.
2. Rau Muong Xao Toi - Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Garlic
Water spinach hits the hot wok fast and comes out silky, garlicky, and absolutely delicious in under ten minutes. Known as morning glory in some regions, this leafy green is a staple in Vietnamese households for good reason.
The garlic caramelizes slightly in the oil, giving the greens a savory depth that is hard to resist. Serve it straight from the pan while it is still steaming hot alongside steamed rice for a truly satisfying plate.
3. Dua Cai - Pickled Mustard Greens
Fermented and funky in the best way possible, pickled mustard greens have been a Vietnamese table staple for centuries. The slight sourness cuts right through rich, fatty dishes and resets your palate between bites.
Making your own batch at home only takes a few days of patience. Just pack the greens into a jar with salt water and let time do the work.
Once ready, they keep in the fridge for weeks and add instant brightness to any meal.
4. Canh Chua - Sweet and Sour Tamarind Soup
Canh Chua is that one soup that manages to be tangy, sweet, savory, and fresh all at once. Tamarind gives it its signature sour punch, while pineapple and tomatoes add sweetness and body.
Bean sprouts, okra, and fresh herbs float on top, making every spoonful feel vibrant and alive. It is traditionally made with fish, but tofu works just as well for a lighter version.
A small bowl on the side transforms any weeknight dinner completely.
5. Banh Mi Dipping Cucumber Slices
Sometimes the simplest sides are the ones that get devoured first. Cool cucumber slices served alongside a tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce called nuoc cham are refreshing, light, and endlessly snackable.
The crisp cucumber soaks up the fish sauce, lime, and chili beautifully without losing its satisfying crunch. Kids and adults both reach for these constantly at the table.
Prep takes about three minutes, making this the ultimate no-fuss side for busy Wednesday nights.
6. Dau Hu Chien - Crispy Fried Tofu with Scallion Oil
Golden on the outside and creamy in the middle, fried tofu drizzled with scallion oil is a Vietnamese classic that deserves a permanent spot on your weeknight menu. The scallion oil is warm and fragrant, soaking into every crispy edge.
A splash of soy sauce or nuoc cham over the top takes it to the next level. It works as a side or even a light main dish served over rice.
Incredibly satisfying for such a simple preparation.
7. Goi Ga - Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Shredded poached chicken meets crunchy cabbage, fresh mint, and a zingy lime dressing in this beloved Vietnamese salad. Goi Ga is the kind of dish that feels festive even on a random Tuesday.
Fried shallots and crushed peanuts get scattered on top for a satisfying crunch in every forkful. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken to make this even faster on a weeknight.
Light, protein-packed, and full of contrasting textures that keep every bite interesting.
8. Bap Xao Tom - Stir-Fried Corn with Shrimp and Scallions
Sweet corn kernels tossed in a hot pan with tiny shrimp and scallions make one of the most cheerful sides you can put on the table. The natural sweetness of the corn pairs wonderfully with the savory shrimp and a touch of butter or oil.
Ready in about eight minutes flat, this dish is proof that Vietnamese cooking does not have to be complicated to taste incredible. A squeeze of lime at the end makes everything pop even more.
9. Rau Song - Vietnamese Fresh Herb Plate
No Vietnamese meal is complete without a generous plate of fresh herbs placed right in the center of the table. Mint, Thai basil, perilla, cilantro, and bean sprouts all show up together, inviting everyone to customize their own plate.
The concept is beautifully communal and encourages eating slowly and mindfully. Fresh herbs add brightness, fragrance, and a burst of flavor that no sauce can fully replicate.
Simply wash, arrange, and serve. Effortless and essential every single time.
10. Ca Chua Xao Trung - Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry
This humble dish is pure weeknight comfort. Ripe tomatoes and fluffy scrambled eggs come together in a wok with a splash of fish sauce and a handful of scallions for a side that feels like a warm hug.
Every Vietnamese family has their own version of this recipe, passed down through generations of quick home cooking. It is budget-friendly, ready in minutes, and pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice.
Honestly, it might become your new weeknight obsession once you try it.
11. Dau Que Xao Toi - Green Beans with Garlic and Fish Sauce
Green beans get a serious upgrade when they hit a hot wok with garlic and a splash of fish sauce. The edges blister slightly, the garlic turns golden, and the whole thing smells absolutely incredible within minutes.
This side is crunchy, savory, and full of umami without being heavy. It works alongside grilled pork, steamed fish, or even a simple bowl of noodles.
Crispy fried garlic sprinkled on top right before serving adds a wonderful finishing touch.
12. Mang Tay Xao - Stir-Fried Asparagus with Oyster Sauce
Asparagus was introduced to Vietnam during the French colonial period, and Vietnamese cooks quickly made it their own. Tossed in a hot wok with oyster sauce and a hint of sesame oil, it becomes glossy, tender, and deeply satisfying.
The whole dish takes under ten minutes and looks elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. Keep the asparagus slightly crisp so it holds up against the rich sauce.
A simple side that always impresses without demanding much effort at all.
13. Goi Bap Cai - Vietnamese Coleslaw
Forget the heavy, mayo-loaded coleslaw you might be used to. Vietnamese-style coleslaw is light, herby, and dressed in a tangy fish sauce vinaigrette that makes the whole thing sing.
Shredded cabbage and carrots form the base, then fresh mint and cilantro get folded in generously. Crushed peanuts go on top for a satisfying crunch.
It holds up well for a few hours, making it ideal for prepping ahead on a busy weeknight before dinner is even started.
14. Canh Rau Cai - Simple Vietnamese Vegetable Broth Soup
Not every soup needs to be complicated. Canh Rau Cai is a humble, clear broth soup made with whatever vegetables you have on hand, seasoned simply with fish sauce and a little white pepper.
Bok choy, cabbage, or watercress all work beautifully here. It is meant to be light and cleansing, served alongside heartier dishes to balance out the meal.
Vietnamese families serve this kind of simple soup at almost every dinner, and once you start, you will understand why.
15. Hanh Phi - Crispy Fried Shallots
Crispy fried shallots are the secret weapon of Vietnamese cooking that most people outside the cuisine do not know about. Thin-sliced shallots fried in oil until golden and crunchy, they add an addictive savory bite to absolutely everything.
Sprinkle them over soups, rice dishes, salads, or noodles and instantly elevate the whole plate. You can make a big batch on Sunday and store them in a jar all week.
They stay crispy for days and transform every meal they touch.
16. Kho Qua Xao Trung - Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Egg
Bitter melon is not for the faint-hearted, but once you acquire the taste, there is nothing quite like it. Sliced thin and stir-fried with eggs and scallions, the bitterness mellows just enough to become genuinely enjoyable.
In Vietnamese culture, bitter melon is prized for its cooling properties, especially during hot months. Soaking the slices in salted water before cooking helps reduce the intensity if you are new to this ingredient.
A bold, character-filled side that sparks real conversation at the dinner table.
17. Com Chien Hanh - Scallion Fried Rice
Leftover rice gets its best glow-up when it hits a hot pan with scallions, a little soy sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Scallion fried rice is a Vietnamese household staple that turns last night's rice into something genuinely craveable.
Keep the heat high and stir constantly so every grain gets coated and slightly crispy at the edges. Top it with a fried egg for extra richness.
Quick, economical, and deeply satisfying in a way that only simple food can be.
18. Dau Phu Sot Ca Chua - Tofu in Tomato Sauce
This dish is what happens when simple pantry staples turn into something deeply comforting. Soft tofu simmers in a gently spiced tomato sauce made with garlic, fish sauce, and fresh scallions until everything melds into a silky, saucy side.
It is a popular home-cooked dish across Vietnam, often made on busy weeknights when time is short but appetite is big. Spoon it generously over steamed rice and watch it disappear from the table almost immediately after serving.
19. Goi Xoai - Green Mango Salad
Tart, crunchy, and loaded with personality, green mango salad is one of those dishes that makes you feel like you are eating somewhere tropical even on a grey Wednesday evening. Unripe mango brings a sour crunch that plays perfectly against sweet, salty, and spicy dressing.
Dried shrimp and crushed peanuts add layers of flavor and texture that keep each bite interesting. It comes together in minutes and pairs well with grilled or braised proteins.
A genuinely fun side to put on the table.
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