Exploring the First Vietnamese Quarter in Thailand

In the heart of Udon Thani, located in northeastern Thailand, emerges a one-of-a-kind neighborhood. Vietnam Town, the world's first Vietnamese quarter, opens its doors for an immersive experience of Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and hospitality.

Updated on 15-03-2024

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*Vietnamese Quarter in Udon Thani after two years of construction*

Nestled in an alley in Udon Thani, the Vietnamese quarter is unveiled this month after two years of construction. Financed at 3 million bahts (over €77,000) by the municipality, this miniature Vietnamese quarter promises to be a space for meetings, commerce, and sharing Vietnamese culinary and cultural delights with the local Thai community and travelers.

*Vibrant Vietnamese community of Udon Thani*

With over 60,000 Vietnamese residents, the province of Udon Thani boasts one of the largest Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam. Present for over 70 years, this community has preserved its cultural and gastronomic heritage, notably through the establishment of this Vietnamese quarter.

*Authenticity culinary: The Vietnamese food vendor*

It's a place where foreign visitors, the Thai community, and those of Vietnamese origin can have an authentic experience of Vietnamese cuisine with a variety of stalls offering specialties from the North, Central, and South of Vietnam.

*Admiration of visitors for Vietnamese cuisine*

The diverse menu offers a selection of traditional dishes, including ethnic cakes such as banh gio, banh xeo, and banh duc, all locally made in Thailand. Prices are very affordable, with, for example, a set of three banh gio sold for 100 bahts (€2.6). In addition to cakes, the Vietnamese quarter also offers tofu.

*A set of three banh gio sold for 100 bahts (€2.6)*

Grilled meat stalls offer a Vietnamese-style satay experience, with skewers prepared in a traditional manner. Meat enthusiasts will be delighted to discover that the skewers are prepared with round sticks, typical in Vietnam, and are generously filled with meat.

The market also offers a full range of Vietnamese products such as pho, nem, bun bo, and bun cha. A delight for enthusiasts of Vietnamese street food!

*A visual delight: Vietnamese spring rolls (nems).*

Vietnam Town is currently open only on weekends, from 8 am to 3 pm. Arrive early if you want choices: the most popular stalls are often sold out before closing.

Some of the restaurants in Vietnam Town have signs in Vietnamese, adding an authentic touch to the already immersive atmosphere. Udon Thani, located in northeastern Thailand, is easily accessible by a direct flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani International Airport, a journey of just over an hour covering a distance of 563 km.

Additional Images of Vietnamese Quarters in Thailand: