Guidebook for Ho Chi Minh City
Food Scene
This is definitely not a bargain since it sits on the most expensive strip of real estate in Saigon. Western tourists might not find it too interesting since they serve sandwich baguettes, some Middle Eastern snacks and dips, mint lemonade, etc. However, the view is hard to beat. A full view from the Unification Palace to the Notre Dame Cathedral, with the beautiful old trees alongside the streets.
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Au Parc
23 Hàn ThuyênThis is definitely not a bargain since it sits on the most expensive strip of real estate in Saigon. Western tourists might not find it too interesting since they serve sandwich baguettes, some Middle Eastern snacks and dips, mint lemonade, etc. However, the view is hard to beat. A full view from the Unification Palace to the Notre Dame Cathedral, with the beautiful old trees alongside the streets.
Vietnamese rice crepe! I have no other way to describe this.. It's thin rice cake, either eaten with cold cuts (cha) or wrapped in minced meet, accompanied by steamed bean sprouts, and fried shrimp cake dipped in sweet fish sauce. Only a block from my house, good for breakfast food.
Bánh Cuốn Thiên Hương
179A Đường 3/2Vietnamese rice crepe! I have no other way to describe this.. It's thin rice cake, either eaten with cold cuts (cha) or wrapped in minced meet, accompanied by steamed bean sprouts, and fried shrimp cake dipped in sweet fish sauce. Only a block from my house, good for breakfast food.
If you're looking for good vegetarian, this one is quite nice. A little pricey compared to the average food price, compensated by good decor, interesting fruit juices, A/C, and delicious vegetarian spreads. The mushroom hotpot, pineapple fried rice, and mushrooms in a coconut are yummy! There's another location downtown as well.
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Hum Vegetarian, Café & Restaurant
32 Võ Văn TầnIf you're looking for good vegetarian, this one is quite nice. A little pricey compared to the average food price, compensated by good decor, interesting fruit juices, A/C, and delicious vegetarian spreads. The mushroom hotpot, pineapple fried rice, and mushrooms in a coconut are yummy! There's another location downtown as well.
If you have had too much pho (just kidding, that's not possible), or if you want to try a different noodle soup, "hu tieu" is a must. It's a Cambodian-style rice noodle soup with a distinctly delicious flavor, more subtle than pho but just as amazing. This shop might only be open in the morning and afternoon/evening. Worth it!
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Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Nhân Quán
488 Nguyễn Thị Minh KhaiIf you have had too much pho (just kidding, that's not possible), or if you want to try a different noodle soup, "hu tieu" is a must. It's a Cambodian-style rice noodle soup with a distinctly delicious flavor, more subtle than pho but just as amazing. This shop might only be open in the morning and afternoon/evening. Worth it!
I love to go here for breakfast or just a snacks. Their menu provides a good variety and are quite tasty. Sometimes when i need a place to write, I'd go here for the great decor and a tall glass of iced milk Vietnamese coffee.
7 personas locales recomiendan
ID cafe
61B Tú XươngI love to go here for breakfast or just a snacks. Their menu provides a good variety and are quite tasty. Sometimes when i need a place to write, I'd go here for the great decor and a tall glass of iced milk Vietnamese coffee.
This is the first location of ID cafe stores. It's located right downtown at the heart of Saigon, next to Ben Thanh market. It's an old French-influenced building, upstairs there're balcony overlooking the crazy traffic below. Same quality of food and drink as the other location, just niched away if you're looking for a quiet spot after being overwhelmed by the lively downtown area :) They have very decent food, a wide range of options.
16 personas locales recomiendan
i.d Cafe
34d Thủ Khoa HuânThis is the first location of ID cafe stores. It's located right downtown at the heart of Saigon, next to Ben Thanh market. It's an old French-influenced building, upstairs there're balcony overlooking the crazy traffic below. Same quality of food and drink as the other location, just niched away if you're looking for a quiet spot after being overwhelmed by the lively downtown area :) They have very decent food, a wide range of options.
In downtown Saigon, nested away is this little gem. Most nights are open mic, Saturday there is live music. If you're searching for a little bit of the Old iconic Saigon, with old furniture and oil lamp, with old style "gold music", this is the place.
Người Sài Gòn
9 Thái Văn LungIn downtown Saigon, nested away is this little gem. Most nights are open mic, Saturday there is live music. If you're searching for a little bit of the Old iconic Saigon, with old furniture and oil lamp, with old style "gold music", this is the place.
This one is an old store that has tons of prepared food. What my family likes to get from here is small packages of pate, cold cuts, bread (there's the Vietnamese crunchy small baguettes and the loaf of sliced sweet bread). They also have burgers, sticky rice, meat buns, desserts. Go nuts!
Bánh mì Hà Nội - Nguyễn Thiện Thuật
This one is an old store that has tons of prepared food. What my family likes to get from here is small packages of pate, cold cuts, bread (there's the Vietnamese crunchy small baguettes and the loaf of sliced sweet bread). They also have burgers, sticky rice, meat buns, desserts. Go nuts!
Arts & Culture
They recently rebuilt this museum, it's worth a couple hours if you need to kill time. You will find interesting exhibits of Vietnam history from the French colonization to the Vietnam-American War. Be prepared for some gruesome images though.
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War Remnants Museum
28 Võ Văn TầnThey recently rebuilt this museum, it's worth a couple hours if you need to kill time. You will find interesting exhibits of Vietnam history from the French colonization to the Vietnam-American War. Be prepared for some gruesome images though.
Everything Else
If you're looking to get some dental work done at a lesser price than in the US or Europe, this place is a good dental clinic to go to. They're more expensive than the local dental offices, but in my opinion is quite reliable with good service. They recently moved the office to Norfolk apartment, 17-19-21 Lý Tự Trọng Street, District 1.
Westcoast International Dental Clinic (Norfolk Mansion)
17-19-21 Lý Tự TrọngIf you're looking to get some dental work done at a lesser price than in the US or Europe, this place is a good dental clinic to go to. They're more expensive than the local dental offices, but in my opinion is quite reliable with good service. They recently moved the office to Norfolk apartment, 17-19-21 Lý Tự Trọng Street, District 1.
Shopping
Imagine the Ben Thanh market, just much less touristy. You can find anything from dried food, clothing, souvenirs, fresh foods, and fruits all in this area. In my childhood memory this is the place you'd go for a shopping spree. You don't have to buy anything, just experience the locals buzzing around in this marketplace.
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An Dong Market
36 Công trường An ĐôngImagine the Ben Thanh market, just much less touristy. You can find anything from dried food, clothing, souvenirs, fresh foods, and fruits all in this area. In my childhood memory this is the place you'd go for a shopping spree. You don't have to buy anything, just experience the locals buzzing around in this marketplace.
Drinks & Nightlife
This backpacker area has everything. Always lively, especially at night. There're food, coffee shops, beer shops sitting on the sidewalk, live music, people watching. It could be chaotic but very fun.
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Bùi Viện
Đường Bùi ViệnThis backpacker area has everything. Always lively, especially at night. There're food, coffee shops, beer shops sitting on the sidewalk, live music, people watching. It could be chaotic but very fun.