1. How to Say "Vegetables" in Vietnamese
The general word for vegetables in Vietnamese is:
Vegetables = Rau / Rau củ
However, Vietnamese has several words depending on the type of vegetable:
• Rau - Vegetables, especially leafy vegetables
• Rau xanh - Green vegetables
• Rau củ - Vegetables including roots and tubers
• Củ - Root vegetables or underground vegetables
• Rau thơm - Fresh herbs
• Đậu - Beans and legumes
Examples:
• Tôi thích ăn nhiều rau.
I like eating a lot of vegetables.
• Bạn nên ăn nhiều rau củ.
You should eat more vegetables.
2. Vegetables and Herbs (Rau và Rau Thơm)
Fresh herbs are an essential part of Vietnamese cuisine. They are commonly served with noodles, grilled dishes, soups, salads, and spring rolls.
• Basil - Húng quế
• Vietnamese mint - Rau răm
• Fish mint - Diếp cá
• Perilla - Tía tô
• Coriander / Cilantro - Rau mùi (Ngò rí)
• Culantro - Ngò gai
• Mint - Bạc hà
• Dill - Thì là
• Vietnamese balm - Kinh giới
• Lemon balm - Húng chanh
• Rice paddy herb - Ngò om
• Garlic chives - Hẹ
• Spring onion / Green onion - Hành lá
Examples:
• Rau thơm makes Vietnamese dishes more fragrant and delicious.
• Pho is often served with herbs such as basil and coriander.
3. Root Vegetables (Rau Củ Mọc Dưới Đất)
Root vegetables grow underground and are commonly used in Vietnamese soups, stews, stir-fries, and traditional dishes.
• Carrot - Cà rốt
• Potato - Khoai tây
• Sweet potato - Khoai lang
• Cassava - Khoai mì (Sắn)
• Taro - Khoai môn
• Yam - Khoai từ
• Daikon radish - Củ cải trắng
• Red radish - Củ cải đỏ
• Beetroot - Củ dền
• Turnip - Củ cải
• Jicama - Củ đậu
• Lotus root - Ngó sen
• Ginger - Gừng
• Turmeric - Nghệ
• Galangal - Riềng
Examples:
Sweet potatoes are a popular healthy snack in Vietnam.
Jicama is often eaten fresh because it is sweet and crunchy.
4. Leafy Vegetables (Rau Lá / Leafy Greens)
Leafy vegetables are among the most common vegetables in Vietnamese meals. Many families eat fresh vegetables every day.
• Water spinach - Rau muống
• Mustard greens - Cải xanh
• Bok choy - Cải thìa
• Napa cabbage - Cải thảo
• Chinese cabbage - Cải bẹ
• Cabbage - Bắp cải
• Lettuce - Xà lách
• Spinach - Rau bina (Cải bó xôi)
• Malabar spinach - Mồng tơi
• Amaranth - Rau dền
• Watercress - Xà lách xoong
• Chrysanthemum greens - Cải cúc (Tần ô)
• Sweet potato leaves - Rau lang
• Pumpkin leaves - Rau bí
Examples:
• Water spinach is one of the most popular vegetables in Vietnam.
• Vietnamese people often stir-fry water spinach with garlic.
5. Stem Vegetables (Rau Thân)
Stem vegetables are vegetables where the edible part is mainly the stem or young shoots.
• Celery - Cần tây
• Asparagus - Măng tây
• Bamboo shoots - Măng
• Banana stem - Thân chuối
• Water mimosa - Rau nhút
• Kohlrabi - Su hào
• Taro stem - Dọc mùng (Bạc hà)
Examples:
• Bamboo shoots are commonly used in Vietnamese soups and stir-fries.
• Celery is often added to Vietnamese hot pot dishes.
6. Bulb Vegetables (Rau Củ Dạng Hành)
Bulb vegetables are important ingredients for adding flavour to Vietnamese dishes.
• Onion - Hành tây
• Garlic - Tỏi
• Shallot - Hành tím
• Leek - Tỏi tây
• Pearl onion - Hành củ
Examples:
• Garlic and shallots are common ingredients in Vietnamese cooking.
7. Flower Vegetables (Rau Hoa)
Flower vegetables are vegetables where the edible part is a flower or flower bud. They are commonly used in Vietnamese soups, stir-fries, and steamed dishes.
• Cauliflower - Súp lơ trắng (Bông cải trắng)
• Broccoli - Súp lơ xanh (Bông cải xanh)
• Banana blossom - Hoa chuối
• Pumpkin flower - Hoa bí
Examples:
• Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that is popular in Vietnamese families.
• Banana blossom is often used in Vietnamese salads and traditional dishes.
8. Fruit Vegetables (Rau Ăn Quả)
Fruit vegetables are botanically fruits, but they are usually cooked and eaten as vegetables.
• Tomato - Cà chua
• Cucumber - Dưa chuột (Dưa leo)
• Eggplant - Cà tím
• Pumpkin - Bí đỏ
• Winter melon - Bí đao
• Bottle gourd - Bầu
• Sponge gourd - Mướp
• Bitter melon - Khổ qua (Mướp đắng)
• Chayote - Su su
• Okra - Đậu bắp
• Green papaya - Đu đủ xanh
• Green banana - Chuối xanh
• Bell pepper - Ớt chuông
• Chilli pepper - Ớt
• Wax gourd - Bí xanh
Examples:
Vietnamese people use pumpkin in soups, desserts, and traditional dishes.
Bitter melon is often cooked with eggs or stuffed with meat.
9. Legumes (Các Loại Đậu)
Legumes are an important group of vegetables and plant-based foods in Vietnam. They are used in everyday meals, soups, stir-fries, and desserts.
• Green beans - Đậu que
• Yardlong beans - Đậu đũa
• Green peas - Đậu Hà Lan
• Snow peas - Đậu tuyết
• Soybeans - Đậu nành
• Mung beans - Đậu xanh
• Black beans - Đậu đen
• Red beans - Đậu đỏ
• Kidney beans - Đậu thận
• Hyacinth beans - Đậu ván
• Winged beans - Đậu rồng
• Pigeon peas - Đậu triều
• Cowpeas - Đậu mắt đen
Examples:
• Mung beans are commonly used to make Vietnamese desserts.
• Soybeans are used to produce tofu and soy milk.
10. Mushrooms (Các Loại Nấm)
Although mushrooms are not technically vegetables, they are commonly grouped with vegetables in cooking and everyday vocabulary.
• Mushroom - Nấm
• Straw mushroom - Nấm rơm
• Oyster mushroom - Nấm bào ngư
• Shiitake mushroom - Nấm hương
• Wood ear mushroom - Mộc nhĩ (Nấm mèo)
• Enoki mushroom - Nấm kim châm
• Abalone mushroom - Nấm đùi gà
Examples:
• Mushrooms are widely used in Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
11. Other Common Vietnamese Vegetables
Some vegetables do not belong to a specific category but are very common in Vietnamese markets and kitchens.
• Corn / Maize - Ngô (Bắp)
• Garlic sprouts - Ngồng tỏi
• Choy sum - Cải ngọt
• Chinese broccoli - Cải làn
• Water dropwort - Rau cần
• Drumstick leaves - Lá chùm ngây
• Young jackfruit - Mít non
12. Popular Vietnamese Vegetables
These are some of the most common vegetables that Vietnamese people eat regularly:
• Water spinach - Rau muống
• Cabbage - Bắp cải
• Mustard greens - Cải xanh
• Tomato - Cà chua
• Cucumber - Dưa chuột
• Carrot - Cà rốt
• Pumpkin - Bí đỏ
• Sweet potato - Khoai lang
• Potato - Khoai tây
• Onion - Hành tây
• Garlic - Tỏi
• Spring onion - Hành lá
• Coriander - Rau mùi
• Basil - Húng quế
• Vietnamese mint - Rau răm
• Cauliflower - Súp lơ trắng
• Broccoli - Súp lơ xanh
• Bitter melon - Khổ qua
13. Vegetables Commonly Used in Vietnamese Dishes
Vietnamese cuisine uses vegetables in many famous dishes.
Pho (Phở)
Pho is often served with fresh herbs such as:
• Basil (Húng quế)
• Coriander (Rau mùi)
• Spring onion (Hành lá)
• Bean sprouts (Giá đỗ)
Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
Common vegetables include:
• Lettuce (Xà lách)
• Vietnamese mint (Rau răm)
• Basil (Húng quế)
• Cucumber (Dưa chuột)
Vietnamese Hot Pot (Lẩu)
Popular vegetables include:
• Water spinach (Rau muống)
• Mustard greens (Cải xanh)
• Mushrooms (Nấm)
• Cabbage (Bắp cải)
Stir-fried Vegetables (Rau Xào)
Common ingredients:
• Water spinach
• Garlic
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Bok choy
14. Vegetables in Vietnamese Markets
Traditional Vietnamese markets usually sell many fresh vegetables every morning. Vietnamese people often buy vegetables daily because fresh ingredients are an important part of family meals.
Useful shopping phrases:
• Tôi muốn mua rau.
I want to buy vegetables.
• Bao nhiêu tiền một cân (ký)?
How much is it per kilogram?
• Cho tôi một bó (mớ) rau muống.
Please give me a bunch of water spinach.
15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is vegetable in Vietnamese?
The word for vegetable in Vietnamese is rau. The phrase rau củ refers to vegetables including roots and tubers.
What is water spinach called in Vietnamese?
Water spinach is called rau muống. It is one of the most popular vegetables in Vietnam.
What vegetables are commonly eaten in Vietnam?
Common Vietnamese vegetables include water spinach, cabbage, mustard greens, cucumber, tomato, pumpkin, herbs, and mushrooms.
What is cauliflower called in Vietnamese?
Cauliflower is called súp lơ trắng or bông cải trắng.
What is broccoli called in Vietnamese?
Broccoli is called súp lơ xanh or bông cải xanh.
What is the difference between "rau" and "rau củ"?
Rau usually refers to vegetables, especially leafy greens, while rau củ includes both vegetables and root vegetables.
16. Conclusion
Learning vegetables in Vietnamese is a practical way to expand your vocabulary for everyday conversations, shopping, dining, and cooking. From leafy greens and fresh herbs to root vegetables, fruit vegetables, and legumes, these are the vegetables you will encounter most often in Vietnam. By practising these common names regularly, you will become more confident in understanding Vietnamese recipes, ordering food, and communicating naturally with native speakers. Continue exploring our Vietnamese Vocabulary lessons to build your language skills step by step.