My Localized Guide: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon in the olden days, is the capital of modern day Vietnam. Over the last 10 years, it has gone through much development and changes. Gone were the days of messy and unkempt streets. Being the second largest coffee beans producer in the world, it is no surprise that many cafés have sprouted up over the years. The city has become more vibrant and energetic ever since.
Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
As Vietnam was colonized by the French before, you could see French influence everywhere such as the architecture and food. While I was working for my previous company, I was stationed there for a period of time. I managed to find some local spots in this city. Having just returned from a short vacation there, I'll show you those local spots I visited.
Breakfast and (sometimes) Lunch Place: Nhu Lan
Nhu Lan Ho Chi Minh Food Nhu Lan Ho Chi Minh Food
This place offers quality and authentic Vietnamese food. My favorites are Banh Mi with egg and ham and their wonton noodles. The Banh Mi is essentially a sandwich made with a baguette. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of them. I was too busy gobbling up the food. They serve great and fresh juices too. Typically, when you enter any restaurant in Vietnam, you know you're paying the "tourists' price" if the menu is in English. Fortunately, the price difference is usually a little less than US$0.50.
A Very Localized Thing You Could Do
One of the best ways you can do to feel like a true local is to rent one of these...
... for just US$7 a day to scoot around in this kind of traffic condition...
Dinner Places
Ho Chi Minh city is more than just District 1. Venture out into other districts such as District 3, 4 and 5. These are places where you can experience the real Vietnam. Food is normally fantastic in these areas. You normally sit at the roadside on mini tables and chairs. One challenge I faced was understanding the food menu. Luckily, in most cases, there will be pictures of the dishes in the menu. But if all else fails, I would start pointing to what others are eating. This is what I call the power of "sign language". Two places that I can recommend you to go without getting a stomach upset are Bien Duong in District 5 and Oc Oanh in District 4.
Nightlife
Ho Chi Minh Nightlife D3 Ho Chi Minh Nightlife D3
I was introduced to this street in District 3 to get a taste of the local nightlife. One popular pub with a live band is called Fang Pub. It is a place where a lot of young Vietnamese and working adults like to gather after work. The songs they play are mainly in Vietnamese. Generally, in Vietnam and some other Southeast Asian countries, soapy love songs about falling in love and separation will always be belted out:
Therefore, I was quite surprised when they suddenly played a heavier kind of music:
After a night of boozing in a pub, you can head down to another roadside stall in District 1, behind the famous Ben Thanh market, for a nice bowl of Pho or Bo Bun (Vietnamese noodles) for just US$2.
Other Notable Nightlife Places
- Qui Lounge
The Qui lounge is a new kid on the block in Ho Chi Minh city's night scene. It has an upclass crowd and a classy ambience. This is the place where people want to be seen at.
- The Backpacker's Street: Pham Ngu Lao
The backpacker street is filled with cheap hostels and booze. Hostel prices go from as low as US$6 a night. There are many tour agencies around to cater to your traveling queries and needs. It is common for hostels and tour agencies to provide motorbike rentals.
Touristy Options
- Cu Chi Tunnels
You can take a day trip out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This is a massive network of underground tunnels used as hideouts, living quarters and supply routes for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. There is even a shooting range for you to try your hands on different kind of rifles. Take an Uber or Grab Car for about US$13 one-way to reach there.
- Mekong River Delta
On this river delta, you can take a traditional boat to visit floating markets and experience the lush green vegetations. There are several tours online that you can choose from. It would usually take about half a day to finish the tour.
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