Gỏi cuốn: Vietnam's fresh spring rolls
If you want something light on a hot Saigon afternoon, this is it: cool, crunchy and full of herbs.
Gỏi cuốn are fresh spring rolls: soft rice paper wrapped around shrimp, boiled pork, rice vermicelli, lettuce and herbs, dipped in a hoisin-peanut sauce. They are not fried. They usually cost 5,000–10,000 VND a roll or 20,000–40,000 VND a plate. Order with “Cho tôi một đĩa gỏi cuốn”.
At a glance
How to order
“Cho tôi một đĩa gỏi cuốn.”
One plate of fresh spring rolls. Ask for gỏi cuốn chay for a vegetarian version with tofu.
How to eat it
Dip the end of the roll in the sauce, bite, and dip again. The sauce is usually hoisin with crushed peanuts and chilli; some places serve fish sauce instead.
Fresh vs fried
Gỏi cuốn are fresh and served cold. Fried spring rolls are chả giò (south) or nem rán (north) – both delicious, but very different.
Questions travellers ask
Are gỏi cuốn fried?
No. They are fresh rolls served cold. Fried rolls are called chả giò or nem rán.
How much do gỏi cuốn cost?
Around 5,000–10,000 VND a roll at street stalls.
What is the dipping sauce?
Usually hoisin mixed with peanut and chilli; some places use fish sauce.
Are there vegetarian gỏi cuốn?
Yes – ask for gỏi cuốn chay, usually made with tofu and vegetables.
Prices are typical ranges we’ve seen and change often; tourist areas can charge more. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Last updated 2026-09-30.
