Located between the East and West regions and one of the busiest cities in Cochin before, Hoi An is a mix of different cultures. As such, the food is equally varied.

Today, local delicacies and even traditional dishes are sold by mobile street vendors who serve not only affordable food but in fact good quality dishes.Banh heo or rice cake with shrimp powder for instance is extremely popular that it has been selling in the streets for over 20 years now. Hue cuisine such as banh beo, banh bot loc, and rice with mussel; and Chinese dishes like tofu, xi ma phu, cao lau and Chinese or Vietnamese noodles are other best-sellers whose taste have been changed just slightly in order to create their own version of the famous meals. Per unit only costs VND5,000-VND30,000, making it even more attractive to anyone.

The mobile vendors usually start selling their food at two o'clock in the afternoon by calling out their products to entice would-be customers. The vendors are usually women who carry bamboo frames on their shoulders and walk down the streets of Tran Phu, Le Loi, and Nguyen Thai Hoc or along the Hoai River. When someone wants to buy, the seller stops and positions his or her mobile store under a shady tree or area in order to prepare the food. The table is usually just a small chair and the customers eat on the pavement. The food can also be ordered to take away.

While street vendors are not allowed in other cities, Hoi An is in fact embracing this phenomenon because of its significant contribution to the progress and development of tourism in the area. But in order to maintain quality of the food and business in general, certain guidelines have to be followed by the vendors so they can continue selling in the streets. Proper food hygiene has to be practiced all the time. Price has also to be standard for both the local residents and tourists; and foreigners.

But the street food of Hoi An is so much more than just gastronomical satisfaction. In fact, it is more of a culture as one can explore the daily life of the local people while eating in the background, observing at first then exploring how such a seemingly simple and traditional lifestyle can bring so much richness to the history and culture of Vietnam.