Nem rán: Hanoi's crispy fried spring rolls
In the south they’re called chả giò. In Hanoi they’re nem rán – and they turn up at every family party and festival.
Nem rán are Hanoi’s crispy fried spring rolls: rice paper wrapped around minced pork, wood ear mushroom, glass noodles, egg and vegetables, fried until golden. You eat them with herbs, rice noodles and sweet-sour fish sauce. A plate usually costs 30,000–60,000 VND. Order with “Cho tôi một đĩa nem rán”.
At a glance
How to order
“Cho tôi một đĩa nem rán.”
One plate of fried spring rolls. At a bún chả shop, just say thêm nem to add some to your order.
How to eat it
Cut the roll with scissors (many shops give you a pair), wrap a piece in lettuce with mint and perilla, and dip it in the sweet-sour fish sauce. Or eat it with a bowl of rice noodles.
North vs South
Northern nem rán are usually shorter and often made with thin rice paper that blisters as it fries. Southern chả giò can be longer, and some use a wrapper that gives a bubbly crunch. Hải Phòng is famous for square crab rolls, nem cua bể.
Questions travellers ask
What is the difference between nem rán and chả giò?
They are the same idea – fried spring rolls. Nem rán is the northern name, chả giò the southern one, and fillings vary by family.
How much are nem rán?
Around 30,000–60,000 VND a plate at local restaurants.
Are nem rán the same as fresh spring rolls?
No. Fresh rolls (gỏi cuốn) are not fried and are eaten cold with herbs and shrimp.
Are there vegetarian nem rán?
Yes. Vegetarian restaurants make nem chay with tofu, mushroom 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 Spotted something out of date?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.
