Foreign community forms group to share passion for Vietnamese Banh Mi
DNO - Banh Mi has become one of Vietnam’s most beloved dishes among international visitors, including many Australians.
The cover photo of Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society features Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 in a Banh Mi-inspired costume. Screenshot photo
Such is the enthusiasm for Vietnamese Banh Mi that a dedicated Facebook community has been created for fans to share their passion.
The group, titled Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society, was founded in Australia in 2016. Now marking its 10th anniversary, it has attracted more than 200,000 members on Facebook.
The group brings together foreigners who love Vietnamese Banh Mi, travelers who are planning or currently on trips to Vietnam, and even Vietnamese members seeking recommendations for quality Banh Mi abroad.
It serves as a hub for enthusiasts of Vietnamese cuisine to share, rate and debate Banh Mi, often playfully referred to as Vietnamese rolls or VRs.
The group’s profile image has drawn attention for featuring a memorable moment when beauty queen H’Hen Nie showcased a national costume inspired by Banh Mi at the Miss Universe 2018, a rare occasion when the iconic Vietnamese street food was presented on a global beauty pageant stage.
What sets this community apart is not only its scale but also its notably well-organized structure.
On average, it generates between 2,200 and 2,300 posts a day, covering every aspect of Banh Mi, from whether pâté or chilli should be included to debates over cold meats, the freshness of bread rolls and whether the price matches the quality.
Most posts follow a familiar formula: members rate their own Vietnamese roll experience out of five and must include at least one photo, the name and location of the establishment relevant to their post and the total cost of their roll or meal.
Perfect 5/5 reviews are most likely to be scrutinized by admins or fellow members. The locations featured in these reviews range from Vietnam to numerous other countries.
Beyond reviews, the group also serves as a source of recommendations for good Banh Mi, particularly in areas with large Vietnamese communities overseas such as Australia.
The comment sections beneath each post are consistently lively, featuring first-hand accounts ranging from praise and constructive feedback to expressions of regret when a familiar shop closes.
Banh Mi originated from the baguette during the French colonial period and was later created and modified by Vietnamese people to suit local tastes. It gradually became a familiar street food and has since spread to many countries around the world.
Not only does it meet the need for quick, convenient eating but it also wins over diners thanks to the harmonious combination of ingredients and flavors.
Banh Mi ranked third in US cable news network CNN’s list of the world’s 25 best sandwiches earlier this month and has been honored multiple times on the global culinary map.
In 2024, the online food guide Taste Atlas placed it at the top of its list of the 100 best sandwiches.