Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its fresh, vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients. Common staples include rice, rice noodles, fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, and chili. These ingredients, combined with a variety of vegetables, meats, and seafood, create the distinctive taste profiles of popular dishes such as pho, banh mi, and spring rolls. Vietnamese cooking emphasizes balance, often blending sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors to create harmonious and aromatic meals.