At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.
Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.
BACKGROUND
Vietnamese cuisine is shaped by a long agricultural history centred on rice cultivation, a tropical climate that yields an abundance of fresh herbs, vegetables and seafood, and cultural influences from China, France and the country's many distinct ethnic groups. Meals are typically light, fresh and aromatic, built around rice, noodles, broth-based soups and a balance of raw and cooked ingredients, with strong regional variation between north, central and south. Vegetarians can generally find suitable options, particularly in areas with a Buddhist influence where plant-based cooking is well established, though fish sauce and seafood-based stocks are used widely and may not always be visible in otherwise vegetable-heavy dishes. Travellers with strict dietary requirements should communicate needs carefully, and guides can be essential in helping to identify safe options and avoid hidden ingredients.
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian
-Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
How Meals Work:
Vietnamese dining is traditionally a communal, sharing-based experience. While we strive to provide a seamless dining experience, please keep the following in mind:
- Vietnamese cuisine offers a variety of delicious vegetarian options such as salad with sweet and sour dressing; Braised eggplant; Seasonal stir-fried vegetables; Vegetarian spring rolls; Vegetarian curry with potatoes and carrots; Fried silken tofu, merlettes, steamed rice, bread, so are always of good quality and variety.
- Customised Dishes: We will prepare dedicated plant-based dishes for you. Please note that while these are intended for you, it is common for meat-eating companions to share these vegetable dishes as part of the communal meal.
- Protein Sources: Your protein will primarily consist of tofu and eggs. Because we prioritise fresh, local ingredients over processed meat substitutes, you may find the protein options to be somewhat repetitive throughout the trip.
- Dairy & Specialty Items: Dairy products (like cheese or fresh milk) are not a staple of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and are often unavailable in local eateries.
Vegan
-Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Vietnamese cuisine offers a variety of delicious vegetarian options such as salad with sweet and sour dressing; Braised eggplant; Seasonal stir-fried vegetables; Vegetarian spring rolls; Vegetarian curry with potatoes and carrots. Restaurants are generally happy to adapt dishes where possible; However, vegan-specific options are more limited than vegetarian ones, so meal options in certain locations can be basic, repetitive and lacking in protein. Your protein will be almost exclusively derived from tofu. As with all our meals, dishes are served communally. We will provide dedicated vegan plates, but the variety will be significantly narrower than the standard menu.
What to expect:
Hidden Ingredients: Traditional Vietnamese cooking relies heavily on fish sauce and shrimp paste. While we will instruct our local cooks to omit these, the flavour profile of vegan meals may be simpler than standard dishes.
Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.
Kosher
-Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
Halal
-Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above
INTOLERANCES
Gluten Free
-Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Your meals will primarily consist of rice, rice noodles, seasonal vegetables, and potatoes. Because of the local supply chain, you should expect these ingredients to be highly repetitive throughout the trip. That said, most standard meals already include several options without gluten, even without special preparation.
Lactose Free
-Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy. Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.
ALLERGIES
Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.
This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.
Although our cuisine mainly uses fresh ingredients and processed food is not traditionally common, we do rely heavily on fish sauce and shrimp paste in many dishes. In some cases, there may also be hidden ingredients in dressings or sauces that local suppliers may not be fully aware of.
Meals are often prepared by small local restaurants and family-run kitchens. While this is an important part of the cultural experience, it also means that ingredient control and food preparation standards can sometimes be more limited compared to international standards.
