Vietnam has quietly become one of the most rewarding long-haul trips a British traveller can take. You get the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, the motorbike buzz of Saigon and some of the best street food on the planet, often for less than a fortnight in southern Europe once you’re on the ground. The first job, though, is sorting out your flights to Vietnam from UK airports, and that’s where many people get stuck.
Should you pay more for a direct flight from Heathrow or save money with a stopover in Doha or Istanbul? Which city should you land in? When are fares cheapest? This guide answers all of it, based on how the routes actually work today, what UK travellers typically pay, and the mistakes we see people make again and again when booking.
Vietnam Airlines runs the only regular non-stop service, from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, taking roughly 12–14 hours. Everyone else, including anyone flying from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Bristol, connects through a hub such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Singapore or Bangkok. Total journey time is then usually 15–20 hours, and fares are often cheaper.
Flights to Vietnam From UK: Complete Guide
When you fly to Vietnam from UK airports, you have two basic choices:
- Non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with Vietnam Airlines.
- One-stop flights from almost any major UK airport, connecting through the Middle East, Turkey or Southeast Asia, then continuing to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang.
There are also “open-jaw” tickets, where you fly into one Vietnamese city and home from another. These suit Vietnam’s long, narrow shape really well, and we’ll come back to them later because they’re one of the smartest ways to plan a trip.
The most popular destinations
- Hanoi: the capital, gateway to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa and the far north.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): the commercial hub, ideal for the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels and southern beaches such as Phu Quoc.
- Da Nang: the central coast airport for Hoi An, Hue and the My Khe beaches.
Why demand from the UK keeps growing
British arrivals to Vietnam have recovered strongly since the pandemic, helped by a few practical changes. Vietnam lengthened its visa-free stay for British citizens to 45 days, it introduced a straightforward e-visa for longer trips, and more airlines have added capacity to Southeast Asia. The is a good place to get a feel for the regions before you choose where to fly into.
Vietnam also offers excellent value once you arrive. Accommodation, food and domestic transport cost a fraction of UK prices, which is why many travellers happily spend a little more on the long-haul flight to get a better routing.
Can You Fly Direct to Vietnam From the UK?
It’s the first thing most people search: can you fly direct to Vietnam from UK airports? Yes, but only from London.
Who operates direct flights?
Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, operates non-stop direct flights to Vietnam from UK soil from London Heathrow to:
- Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN)
- Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat (SGN)
The flights use Boeing 787 Dreamliners with business, premium economy and economy cabins. Frequencies change by season, so check the current schedule on the before you plan your dates around a particular day of the week.
What about Bamboo Airways?
You’ll still see searches for bamboo airways london to ho chi minh city, because Bamboo Airways did launch UK services in 2022. However, the airline suspended its London flights in 2023 as part of a major restructuring and cut back to mainly domestic and regional routes. At the time of writing, Bamboo Airways does not sell scheduled flights between London and Vietnam. If you find an old listing or a third-party page that suggests otherwise, double-check directly with the airline before paying anything.
Alternatives through connecting airports
If the direct dates don’t suit you, or you’re travelling from outside London, a one-stop itinerary is the norm. The most useful hubs are:
| Hub | Airlines | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Doha (DOH) | Qatar Airways | Award-winning service, flights to HAN, SGN and often DAD |
| Dubai (DXB) | Emirates | Many daily UK departures, including regional airports |
| Istanbul (IST) | Turkish Airlines | Often the cheapest; flies from many UK cities |
| Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | Excellent transfer airport, links to all three Vietnamese cities |
| Bangkok (BKK) | Thai Airways | Easy add-on if you want a few days in Thailand |
| Hong Kong / Kuala Lumpur | Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines | Competitive fares, good regional connections |
Direct Flights to Vietnam From UK Airports
If you’re hoping for direct flights to Vietnam from UK airports outside London, it’s worth setting expectations early. Here’s how each airport compares.
London Heathrow (LHR)
Heathrow is the only UK airport with regular non-stop uk to vietnam direct flights. Vietnam Airlines flies from Heathrow to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Heathrow is also served by Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific and others, so you’ll get the widest choice of one-stop connections here too. Check terminal information on the .
London Gatwick (LGW)
Gatwick has no non-stop flights to Vietnam, but you can connect via Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Singapore (Singapore Airlines, depending on season). It’s a handy alternative if you live in Sussex, Surrey or Kent.
Manchester (MAN)
Manchester has no vietnam direct flights from UK northern airports, but it has excellent one-stop options with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. For travellers in the North West, flying from Manchester with a single connection is usually far easier than travelling to Heathrow for the direct flight.
Birmingham (BHX)
From Birmingham you can connect through Dubai with Emirates, Doha with Qatar Airways or Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Total journey times of 16–19 hours are typical.
Other UK airports
- Edinburgh and Glasgow: connect via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, or take a short hop to Heathrow for the direct flight.
- Newcastle: Emirates via Dubai, or connect through Heathrow, Amsterdam or Istanbul.
- Bristol, Leeds Bradford and others: usually connect via a European hub such as Amsterdam, Paris or Istanbul.
Tip: if you’re flying from a regional airport and want the direct Vietnam Airlines service, book a connecting flight to Heathrow on the same ticket where possible. If your first flight is delayed, the airline is then responsible for rebooking you.
Airlines Flying From the UK to Vietnam
Choosing the best airline to fly to Vietnam from UK airports depends on what matters most to you: speed, price, comfort or loyalty points. Here’s a practical rundown.
Vietnam Airlines
The only carrier offering direct flights uk vietnam, and a four-star Skytrax-rated airline and SkyTeam member. If you search for vietnam airlines uk you’ll find its UK booking site, which shows fares in pounds and has regular sales. The big advantage is time: no connection, less risk of lost baggage and you arrive fresher. It also sells easy domestic connections to Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Dalat on the same ticket.
Bamboo Airways
Bamboo Airways is currently a domestic and regional airline. As covered above, it isn’t flying between London and Vietnam right now, so it’s best treated as an option for internal flights once you arrive.
Qatar Airways
A consistent favourite with UK travellers. Qatar flies from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh via Doha, with onward flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and, depending on the season, Da Nang. Its Qsuite business class is among the best in the world. See .
Emirates
Emirates has the widest UK regional network, including Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, with connections in Dubai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A good choice if you live outside the South East. See .
Singapore Airlines
Excellent service, and Singapore Changi is arguably the world’s most pleasant airport for a layover. Flights to all three main Vietnamese airports. See .
Thai Airways
Connects via Bangkok, which makes a Thailand–Vietnam twin-centre trip very easy. See .
Turkish Airlines
Frequently the cheapest full-service option, with departures from a long list of UK airports via Istanbul. Connections can be longer, so check the layover time before booking. See .
Other major carriers
Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur), Korean Air (via Seoul), China Southern and Air China (via Chinese hubs), and European carriers such as Air France and KLM all sell vietnam uk flights. The Chinese carriers are often very cheap, but read the transit visa and baggage rules carefully.
Airline comparison table
| Airline | Route | Approximate Flight Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines | London Heathrow → Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City (non-stop) | 12–14 hours | Fastest journey, no connection |
| Qatar Airways | UK airports → Doha → Hanoi / HCMC / Da Nang | 16–19 hours | Service quality, regional departures |
| Emirates | UK airports → Dubai → Hanoi / HCMC | 16–19 hours | Widest UK regional choice |
| Singapore Airlines | London / Manchester → Singapore → HAN / SGN / DAD | 16–18 hours | Comfort and a great layover airport |
| Thai Airways | London Heathrow → Bangkok → HAN / SGN | 15–18 hours | Combining Thailand and Vietnam |
| Turkish Airlines | UK airports → Istanbul → HAN / SGN | 16–20 hours | Low fares from many UK cities |
| Cathay Pacific | London Heathrow → Hong Kong → HAN / SGN / DAD | 16–19 hours | Reliable connections, oneworld members |
So which is the best airline?
- Short on time? Vietnam Airlines non-stop.
- Want the best service? Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines.
- Travelling from the North or Scotland? Emirates or Qatar.
- On a tight budget? Turkish Airlines or a Chinese carrier, subject to transit rules.
These are the best flights to vietnam from uk for most travellers, but always compare total journey time as well as price. A £60 saving isn’t worth a 14-hour layover for most people.
Flight Time From UK to Vietnam
The flight time from uk to vietnam depends almost entirely on whether you fly non-stop.
London to Vietnam: non-stop
The non-stop flight time from london to vietnam with Vietnam Airlines is typically:
- Heathrow to Hanoi: around 12 to 13 hours
- Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City: around 12.5 to 14 hours
Exact times vary with the season, winds and airspace routing. Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT) and 6 hours ahead during British Summer Time, so an overnight departure from London usually lands in Vietnam the following afternoon or evening.
With a connection
For one-stop itineraries, the uk to vietnam flight time is usually 15 to 20 hours door to door, depending on the layover. A typical example:
- London → Doha: about 6.5 hours
- Layover: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Doha → Ho Chi Minh City: about 7.5 hours
- Total: about 16 to 17 hours
Flight from UK to Vietnam: how long, in practice?
If you’re asking about a flight from uk to vietnam how long it will really take, add the time to get to the airport, check-in and immigration on arrival. Realistically, a non-stop trip from central London to a Hanoi hotel takes around 17–18 hours. A one-stop trip from Manchester to Ho Chi Minh City can easily be 22–24 hours.
In short, the flying time uk to vietnam is roughly half a day non-stop and closer to a full day with a connection.
London to Vietnam Flight Routes
London to Hanoi
The Heathrow–Hanoi service is the best option for northern Vietnam. When searching for flights from uk to hanoi vietnam, compare the non-stop service with one-stop options via Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong. Hanoi works brilliantly as a starting point: spend a few days in the Old Quarter, then head to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh before travelling south.
London to Ho Chi Minh City
The non-stop london to ho chi minh flight time is roughly 12.5 to 14 hours. Ho Chi Minh City has the most international connections in the country, so you’ll often find the widest choice of fares here.
London to Saigon
Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City are the same place. The city was officially renamed in 1976, but locals still call it Saigon, and its airport code is SGN. So the london to saigon flight time is identical: about 12.5 to 14 hours non-stop, or 15 to 20 hours with one stop.
London to Da Nang
There are currently no direct flights to danang from uk airports. The simplest options are:
- Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, then a domestic flight of about 1 to 1.5 hours to Da Nang, often on the same ticket.
- Qatar Airways via Doha, Singapore Airlines via Singapore, or Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, all of which have served Da Nang.
London to Hoi An
Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport. London to hoi an flights actually land at Da Nang International Airport (DAD), which is about 30 to 45 minutes away by taxi or private transfer. Many hotels in Hoi An will arrange a pick-up, which is worth doing if you arrive late at night.
Route comparison table
| Route | Average Flight Time | Popular Airport |
|---|---|---|
| London → Hanoi (non-stop) | 12–13 hours | Noi Bai International (HAN) |
| London → Ho Chi Minh City (non-stop) | 12.5–14 hours | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) |
| London → Da Nang (one stop) | 15–19 hours | Da Nang International (DAD) |
| London → Hoi An (via Da Nang) | 15–19 hours + 45 min transfer | Da Nang International (DAD) |
| Manchester → Ho Chi Minh City (one stop) | 16–20 hours | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) |
| Ho Chi Minh City → London (non-stop) | 13–14.5 hours | London Heathrow (LHR) |
Vietnam Flight Cost From the UK
Fares fluctuate a lot, but here’s a realistic picture of the vietnam flight cost for a return ticket, based on typical fares seen when booking two to five months ahead.
Typical return prices from London
| Cabin | One-stop (typical) | Non-stop (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | £450 – £750 | £650 – £1,100 |
| Premium economy | £900 – £1,500 | £1,100 – £1,800 |
| Business class | £2,000 – £3,500 | £2,500 – £4,500 |
Prices from regional airports are often similar to London on Gulf carriers, and sometimes cheaper, because Emirates and Qatar price competitively from Manchester and Birmingham.
What drives the uk to vietnam flight cost?
- Season: Christmas, Easter, the summer school holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) push prices up sharply.
- Direct vs connecting: non-stop flights usually carry a premium of £150–£400.
- How far ahead you book: last-minute long-haul fares rarely fall.
- Baggage: most full-service airlines include 23–30kg checked bags, but some low-cost connecting carriers in Asia do not.
- Day of the week: midweek departures are often cheaper.
Seasonal price changes in brief
- Most expensive: mid-December to early January, Tet (late January or February), Easter and late July to August.
- Cheapest: May to June and September to November, outside UK school holidays.
Cheapest Flights to Vietnam From UK
Finding cheap flights to vietnam from uk airports is mostly about flexibility and timing. Here’s what works.
1. Be flexible with your dates
Use the calendar or “whole month” view on comparison sites to spot the cheapest days. Moving your departure by just two or three days can save £100 or more per person.
2. Compare widely, then check the airline directly
Search on Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak to see the market, then check the same flight on the airline’s own website. Booking direct is often the same price and makes changes, refunds and disruption much easier to handle.
3. Book at the right time
For most travellers, the sweet spot is two to five months before departure. For Christmas, Tet or August, book six to nine months ahead.
4. Consider one-stop routings
The cheapest flights to vietnam from uk are almost always one-stop fares via Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or a Chinese hub. Turkish Airlines and the Gulf carriers regularly run sales, often in January and around Black Friday.
5. Try different airports
Check Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick as well as Heathrow. Also compare Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The cheapest arrival city can change from week to week.
6. Book open-jaw
Fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City (or the other way round). It’s often no more expensive than a standard return, and you won’t waste a day backtracking up or down the country.
7. Use a stopover to your advantage
Sometimes a long layover in Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, booked as a stopover, adds a mini city break for little extra cost.
The cheapest way to fly to Vietnam from UK
So what’s the cheapest way to fly to vietnam from uk in practice? Usually it’s a one-stop economy return with a full-service carrier, booked two to five months ahead for travel in May, June, September or October, with flexible dates. Some people try to save more by flying to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and then catching a separate budget flight on to Vietnam. It can work, but you’d be on two separate tickets, so allow a generous gap and remember that a missed connection is your problem, not the airline’s.
Best Time to Book Flights to Vietnam
What is the cheapest month to fly to Vietnam from the UK?
In our experience, the cheapest months are usually May, June, September and October, with early November also offering good value. These months fall outside UK school holidays and avoid Tet. Late January sometimes produces bargains too, as long as you avoid the Tet dates themselves.
Peak seasons to watch
- Christmas and New Year: high demand from UK holidaymakers.
- Tet (Lunar New Year): Vietnam’s biggest holiday, usually late January or February. Flights, trains and hotels fill up, and some businesses close for several days. In 2027, Tet falls in early February.
- UK summer holidays: late July to August is busy and expensive.
- Easter: a smaller but noticeable price rise.
Weather considerations
Vietnam’s weather varies hugely from north to south, which affects when to go as much as price does:
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa): best from October to April. Winters can be cool and grey; summers are hot and humid.
- Central (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue): best from February to August. The heaviest rain and typhoon risk run from roughly September to December.
- South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phu Quoc): dry season from December to April; wet season from May to November, usually with short afternoon downpours.
The good news is that there’s almost always somewhere in Vietnam with decent weather, which is why shoulder-season flights can be such good value.
Flights From Vietnam to UK
The return journey
Most travellers book return flights to vietnam from uk as a single ticket, but you may also need one-way flights from vietnam to uk if you’re travelling onwards through Asia or living and working in Vietnam.
The vietnam to uk flight time is usually a little longer than the outbound journey because of prevailing winds and routing:
- Hanoi to London Heathrow: around 13 to 14 hours non-stop.
- The flight time ho chi minh to london is around 13.5 to 14.5 hours non-stop.
Many westbound flights depart around midnight and arrive in London early the next morning, which helps with jet lag.
Popular return routes
- Hanoi → London Heathrow (non-stop, Vietnam Airlines)
- Ho Chi Minh City → London Heathrow (non-stop, Vietnam Airlines)
- Da Nang → Doha / Dubai / Singapore → UK airports
- Ho Chi Minh City → Istanbul → Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh
Airlines operating Vietnam–UK flights
Vietnam Airlines flights to UK airports run only to Heathrow, while Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific all sell flights to uk from vietnam with one connection. If you’re looking for cheap flights from vietnam to uk, the same rules apply as for the outbound trip: book ahead, avoid Tet and the weeks after it, when many Vietnamese families travel, and compare one-stop fares.
When booking flights from vietnam to united kingdom destinations, remember to check UK entry rules if you’re not a British or Irish citizen. Many nationalities now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. If you’re unsure about your status, it’s worth getting before you travel.
Vietnam Airports for UK Travellers
Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Vietnam’s second-busiest airport, about 45 minutes to an hour by road from the Old Quarter. International flights use Terminal 2. Taxis, Grab (the local ride-hailing app) and the 86 airport bus all serve the city centre. See the .
Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
The country’s busiest airport, located within the city. District 1 is typically 20 to 40 minutes away, although traffic can make that much longer at rush hour. A new domestic terminal (T3) has eased congestion, and the new Long Thanh International Airport is under construction to handle future growth. See .
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
A compact, modern airport just a few minutes from Da Nang city and about 30 to 45 minutes from Hoi An. There are no direct flights to danang from uk airports, so you’ll arrive via a domestic connection or an international hub such as Doha, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Seoul. See .
Which airport should you choose?
- Visiting the north first? Hanoi.
- Starting in the south or heading to Phu Quoc or the Mekong? Ho Chi Minh City.
- Beach holiday in Hoi An or Da Nang? Da Nang.
- Touring the whole country? Open-jaw: in at Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh City.
How to Book Flights to Vietnam From UK
Booking websites
Comparison sites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak are the fastest way to see every option at once. Use them for research and price alerts, but be cautious of little-known online agents that appear at the top of results with the cheapest price, as customer service can be poor if something goes wrong.
Airline websites
Booking directly with the airline usually gives you the simplest path for seat selection, changes and refunds. Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines all sell fares in pounds on their UK sites.
Travel agents and package holidays
A specialist ATOL-protected tour operator can be a smart choice for first-time visitors, especially if you’re combining flights, hotels and domestic transport. ATOL protection means you won’t be left stranded if the company fails. You can check a firm’s status on the .
Check baggage rules
- Full-service long-haul economy usually includes at least one 23kg bag, but “light” or “basic” fares may not.
- Domestic Vietnamese flights on a separate ticket, such as VietJet, may have much smaller allowances.
- If you’re mixing airlines on separate tickets, check each one.
Visa and entry requirements
British citizens can currently visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. For longer stays, apply for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, through the only. Avoid lookalike websites that charge extra fees. Your passport should have at least six months’ validity and blank pages. Rules can change, so always check the latest before you book.
If you hold a non-British passport, live in the UK on a visa, or need to be sure that your UK residence status allows you to leave and return, get before travelling. Having the right in advance can prevent problems at the airport on your way home.
Travel insurance
Take out travel insurance as soon as you book your flights so you’re covered for cancellation. Make sure it covers medical treatment and repatriation, plus any activities you plan, such as riding a motorbike, which many policies exclude unless you hold the right licence. The also covers health, safety and local laws and is worth reading before you go.
A simple booking checklist
- Decide your route: north to south, south to north or a single region.
- Choose your entry and exit airports.
- Set price alerts five to six months before travel.
- Compare non-stop vs one-stop on total journey time and price.
- Book direct with the airline or an ATOL-protected agent.
- Check baggage, seats and meal requests.
- Confirm passport validity and visa needs.
- Buy insurance the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly direct from the UK to Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam Airlines operates non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, taking about 12 to 14 hours. There are no direct flights from other UK airports, so travellers from Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland and elsewhere will need one connection.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Vietnam from the UK?
Typically May, June, September and October. These months avoid UK school holidays, Christmas and Tet, and fares are often £150–£300 lower than in peak periods.
What month is the cheapest to fly to Vietnam?
For UK departures, September and May often produce the lowest return fares. The exact cheapest month varies year to year, so use a flexible-date or monthly calendar search to check.
How much is a flight from the UK to Vietnam?
A return economy ticket usually costs between £450 and £750 with one stop, or £650 to £1,100 non-stop. Premium economy is typically £900 to £1,800, and business class £2,000 to £4,500 or more, depending on season and how early you book.
Is it better to fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
It depends on your itinerary. Hanoi suits the north and Ha Long Bay, while Ho Chi Minh City is better for the south and the Mekong Delta. For a full-country trip, fly into one and out of the other.
Can I use a single ticket to fly to VN via Da Nang?
Yes. If you want to fly to vn and start in central Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific can all ticket you through to Da Nang on one booking, which protects you if a connection is missed.
Final Thoughts: Booking the Right Flights to Vietnam From UK
Getting your flights to vietnam from uk right sets the tone for the whole trip. To sum up:
- Fastest option: Vietnam Airlines non-stop from Heathrow to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, about 12 to 14 hours.
- Best value: one-stop flights with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines or Singapore Airlines, often from your nearest regional airport.
- Saving money: travel in May, June, September or October, avoid Tet, book two to five months ahead and stay flexible on dates and airports.
- Smart planning: book open-jaw so you can travel the length of the country without backtracking, and choose your entry airport to suit the weather in each region.
Finally, sort your paperwork early. Check your passport validity, confirm the visa-free allowance or apply for an e-visa through the official portal, and arrange insurance as soon as you book. If your own immigration status in the UK is complex, our can help make sure your return journey is as smooth as your outbound one.
With the right flight booked, all that’s left is deciding whether your first meal in Vietnam will be pho in Hanoi or a banh mi on a Saigon street corner.