76 Hai Ba Trung district 1

Located in the heart of district 1, this alley mainly serves students and office workers. There is a good variety to choose from at relatively reasonable prices. With 10000 - 15000 VND anyone can get a portion of noodles, meat/ fish balls, soup. However, the low cost doesn’t define the quality of food, which can be compared to that of any indoor food stall. Moreover, the sellers are very friendly and helpful if you’re not familiar with Saigon streets. The cheap, tasty and eye-catching food here accounts for their getting sold out within 3 hours every day (3-6pm).

Video edited by Son Nguyen & shot by Chi Le

After getting enough energy, pay a visit to the Ho Chi Minh city Municipal theatre, which is only a few minutes away on foot to the south.

Ho Ba Kien, district 10

This one is much younger than the first, having been discovered for no longer than a few months. Teenagers and university students often gather here since the price is generally cheap, each dish costing no more than 20000 VND. Most famous here is the seafood stall and some Vietnamese specialties such as banh nam and banh bot loc.

177 Ly Tu Trong, District 1

Here customers are offered the special dessert after the main course: fruit. A combination of pineapple, strawberry, watermelon, etc is served in bowls with cups of yogurt. This cannot fail to quench the thirst of tourists made exhausted by the scorching heat of Saigon noon.

After a good rest, continue your visit to nearby attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the city post office or the Tran Dai Nghia High school for the Gifted.

14 Tran Binh Trong, District 5

Another checkpoint for anyone who loves sweet food. Located in the so-called Chinatown of Saigon, this alley leads to an old apartment block, which makes it easier to find. Jelly and flan cakes are the most popular dishes, with a variety of flavors to choose: cheese, coconut, etc. In case you want something for the main course, try fried dough next door. A meal here can be nothing but a bargain, since prices are no more than 2500 VND for desserts and 15000 for fried dough.

Since this alley is in the Chinatown, take your time to discover one of the most important parts of Saigonese culture by visiting Cho Lon, Thien Hau pagoda, and various other sites.

51 Cao Thang, District 3

Not so far from the Ban Co Market, this alley is best known for the 70-year-old porridge stall named “Tieu”. One difference, however, is the high price 65000 VND per portion. The ingredients used, including heart, kidney, meat and even mushroom, may result in the unreasonable price compared to other stalls. Or else, try the mouth-watering girdle cake made on the spot. Also on offer are noodles, balut fried with tamarind, fish balls, dim sum, ravioli soup, crab soup, etc. for about 15000 VND. Last but not least, have a go at the cocktails, on the menu at most stalls.

284 Le Van Sy, District 3

Another place all too familiar with students and workers in district 3, this is a haven for all fans of Vietnamese noodles- “bun”- as well as tourists interested in Hue food culture: banh nam, banh beo, banh uot, banh loc, etc. Enjoy your meal for no more than 20000 VND. There’s a parking lot nearby in case you get there by motorbike, right in front of the kindergarten. Young Saigonese often hold small gatherings here at night, which makes this time of the day the most exciting and suitable for a visit.

Nam Ky Khoi Nghia highschool, District 11

Located on Nguyen Thi Nho street, which is also famous as a dining area, this alley is right next to the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia highschool. As a result, its students are the most usual customers. Besides the dishes mentioned above, milk tea- an addictive drink too familiar with Vietnamese teens- can be found. Most popular here is the popiah cart, known to be not only the cheapest throughout Saigon but also one with the highest quality. For seafood enthusiast, snails and fish are a must-try.

Food alleys are one irreplaceable piece of Saigonese culture and have never lost their appeal towards tourists as well as locals, and above are some of the most popular places to explore this aspect of the city. Hungry after reading all these illustrations yet? Get up and give them a try yourself!

Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon

Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Phone: 028 3822 0477
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m – 18:00 p.m

This attraction is arguably a representative of the religious influence the French have made on Vietnam during their invasion. The cathedral was built to offer French soldiers a place for performing rituals. Built with bricks, glass and various other materials brought from France, this building has proved durable and has called for little reconstruction since its completion in 1880. Its design was chosen from 18 propositions. The architect J. Bourad was chosen for his style, a mixture of neo-Roman and Gothic. Nowadays, Notre Dame cathedral is considered a must-visit by tourists from domestic and abroad as well. Furthermore, as it is located in the heart of Saigon, the Cathedral is an ideal starting point for a Sai Gon tour. Moreover, the Vincom shopping center and Parkson mall are only a few minutes away on foot, while other attractions such as the Saigon Central post office are nearby, so the Cathedral is a perfect start for a journey around Saigon.

Once inside, the view is even more spectacular. There are 6 columns on each side, which represent the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. Behind them are over 20 altars with small statues of the saints. The main altar is made of pure jade, with carvings of the angels underneath. The wall is decorated with 56 colored glass windows depicting characters and stories in the Bible.

As the biggest one in Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral can house 1200 people at most.

Saigon Central Post Office

Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1
Contact: 028 3822 1677
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m -7:00 p.m (Mon-Fri), 8:00 a.m-6:00p.m (weekend)

Outdated as handwritten letters are, they still mean a lot to Saigonese, particularly those over 50. The post office was built by the French in 1860. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, father of the Eiffel Tower, the building instills a feeling of nostalgia in all people who lived through the 20th century. Nowadays, it often acts as a reminder of those days and a perfect background for tourists. However, the busy, energetic atmosphere was preserved. Features such as the information desk can still be found where they were in the previous century.

The main hall consists of a dome-shaped roof and is consistently crowded with travelers as well as small business people. The whole weight of the r ơf is supported with 4 columns only, which allow for more space and apply with ask.What’s more, you can find two big-scale maps of Saigon in 1972 and telephone lines all over Vietnam in 1936. The whole weight of the roof is supported by four columns in the corners

The 38 working desks are ready to answer questions on delivering mails and posts. On the left side, tourists can have a glance at the time-honored phone booths. Also, remember to check out the lovely handmade souvenirs in the remotest areas in the Post Office.

Tran Dai Nghia High school for the Gifted

 Address: 20 Ly Tu Trong  Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

The French also built educational facilities in Saigon. Initially used as a monastery named “Lasan Taberd”, the building was later used for educational purposes. The school consists of four blocks, from A to D, the last one remaining the same and unchanged throughout the years. There are two playgrounds, both with a lot of trees and space for numerous activities. The yellow-painted walls are mostly kept original, while some sections such as the building on the right of the entrance were installed to fit the enormous number of students of roughly 5000. The school is another building that has stood the test of time without calling for too much reconstruction, which illustrates the durability of French materials.

Founded in 1875 by Father Henri De Kerlan, Lasan Taberd was first used to house abandoned children. The old blocks were constructed under the provision of Father Mossard. In 1949, it had 1200 students. In 1975, the school was then transferred to the city’s department of education.

As the entry is restricted to students, parents and school members only, visitors should come during the summer to witness another archetype of French architecture in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre

Address: 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Contact: 0286270 4450

Without previous knowledge of the place, anyone can mistake Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Theatre (Saigon Opera House) place with an opera house in Paris because of its Gothic style. All materials were transported by plane from France and all external and internal features were designed by French architects as well. The high-quality sound and lighting systems provide 1800 viewers with spectacular performances, ranging from plays to Vietnamese cai luong and live shows of modern music.

Constructed in 1900 by the three architects Felix Olivier, Ernest Guichard and Eugene Ferret, the theatre bears striking similarities with its Parisian counterpart Petit Palais. However, many external features were removed in 1943 due to criticism of their being unnecessary and showy between the two world wars. Some of them were later restored, for example, the two statues of Venus on the entrance. This change was made in the event of the city’s 300th birthday in 1998.

Tourists can purchase a ticket for a performance at the ticket counter right next to the building to enjoy professional shows. After that, enjoy your night at other attractions nearby such as the Cathedral, the Reunification Palace or simply wander through the main streets.

Ben Thanh Market

Address: Le Loi Street, District 1
Opening hours: 7:00 a.m- 10:00 p.m

Undoubtedly, this market must be mentioned, since it is the city’s icon. No matter how many luxurious supermarkets you’ve been to, Asian market like Ben Thanh is a must-try. There’s a wide variety to offer: food stalls serving portions made on the spot, vendors selling hand-made souvenirs,  handicrafts, grocery, clothe shop, etc. Vietnamese specialties such as banh xeo, banh cuon, banh beo, cha gio, hu tiu, and when the night comes it is much more exciting. Although most of the stalls inside are closed, sidewalk restaurants are open and attract flows of tourists. The lights, the crowdedness, the noises, the sound of customers bargaining, and so on all contribute to the liveliness of Ben Thanh market. However, if you mind being slightly overcharged, visiting the market early in the morning is suitable, for the sellers believe easy transactions bring about good luck for the whole day. One problem is the presence of pickpockets, so pay attention to your belongings, or better not bring anything valuable or important to the market.

What's interesting is that the French built the market on the grounds of a destroyed riverside market in 1870 and named it Les Halles Centrales, before changing to Ben Thanh in 1912. This attraction has witnessed many ups and downs of the 300-year-old city of Saigon, which makes the market its symbol in most travel guides and publications.

Reunification Palace

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Contact: 028 3822 3652
Opening hours: 7:30-11:00 a.m, 13:00-16:00 p.m

This palace is of much more historical significance as it marks the independence of Vietnam from both France and the U.S.A. Constructed from 1868-1871 by the French colonizers, this building was used for housing many powerful officials of the colonial government since 1955. During his stay, the Palace witnessed various political fluctuations, including public protests and even bombing, after which the left side of the site was totally destroyed. former President Diem then ordered the reconstruction of the Palace, but could not stay for a single day in his new house for a single day before his demise in 1963. As a result, Nguyen Van Thieu, the second president, became the new owner for the following 12 years. On 30/4/1975, two tanks crashed into the main gate and the exit of the Palace, forcing Nguyen Van Thieu and all members of his Cabinet to surrender. This moment went down in history as one of the greatest and most memorable days of our nation, putting a full stop to the colonization of the Americans.

With an area of 12000 square meters, two third of which is filled with trees, the site’s design bears some resemblance to that of the White House. The site is open for visits on a daily basis, and public holidays are no exception. Tourists can discover the two wars of Vietnam in the 20th centuries through illustrated images and artifacts.

Hotel Majestic Saigon

Address: 1 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Contact: 028 3829 5517

Feel tired yet? Maybe it’s time for a comfortable night in the Hotel Majestic Saigon. Built in 1925, the hotel underwent various extensions and turned into a six-storey five-star masterpiece overlooking the Sai Gon River. The fact that this building is already over 90 years old may surprise any tourists, for the luxurious design, the gold adornments, and individual balconies can be mistaken with a classic European hotel. It comprises 175 rooms ( 76 Superiors with a view of the city, 38 Deluxe Pool View and 32 Deluxe River View, 20 Junior Suite and 9 Majestic Suite). Any nostalgic traveller will enjoy the classic decoration inside the rooms. High-quality service provided by professional hoteliers is at your disposal. On the top floor is the Prima Hall- which has a capacity of 250 people for big events and meetings. Right next door is the Blue Saloon A&B, which suits small gatherings perfectly. In case you’re a bit hungry, what the Serenade Restaurant has on its menu definitely will whet your appetite.

The hotel was built by one of the richest men in Saigon- Gia Dinh back then- a man named Hui Bon Hoa, who has his roots in China. Aside from Hotel Majestic, he also patronized the construction of various other buildings, including the Museum of Fine Art, Tu Du hospital, Binh Tay Market, etc. These contributed greatly to the new images of Saigon in the early 1900s.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 97A Pho Duc Chinh Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1
Contact: 028 3829 4441
Opening hours: 8:00 am- 6:00 pm

The museum is set inside a French colonial villa. The first floor exhibits pieces of contemporary arts, while a variety of sketches and pictures depicting the Vietnamese’s resistance against the colonizers can be found on the second floor. Moreover, artifacts from other cultures that made their mark in Vietnamese history, namely Khmer, Cham and India. These are between 1400 and 400 years old. Also noteworthy is the pieces of “combat art”, whose artists experienced battles in real life and reflected what they had witnessed on battlegrounds.

The Museum has encountered numerous obstacles during and after construction, most of which are the all-common problems of museums such as inadequate funding, inefficient and unprofessional staff due to lack of training. In recent years, however, the museum shows big improvements in the diversity as well as the quality of artifacts on demonstration.

This is another building by Hui Bon Hoa, the Chinese-born businessman and also designed by the same French architect as the Hotel Majestic. Near the entrance, visitors cannot fail to notice the wrought iron scroll word “HBH”. Originally used as an office and a house for the owner’s family, the buildings of the museum fell into the hands of the Communist government in 1975 after falling into disuse for approximately 5 years.

Phuong Nam - the 35-million-dollar house

Address: 110-112 Vo Van Tan, District 3

That’s nearly 770 billion VND! With materials brought from Europe, mainly France, this house was constructed in the early 1900s and remains largely undamaged after over a century. Facing 3 of the most crowded streets in the downtown area - Vo Van Tan, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan and Nguyen Thi Dieu, Phuong Nam is expensive not only for the luxurious French style but also its “golden” location. The outside is a mixture of Western architecture and Eastern style while the interior is furnished with luxurious antiques. The house consists of two floors with dozens of large windows to enjoy the view of the city center.

Considered one of the most spectacular and time-honored buildings in Saigon, this house took over a decade to find a suitable and wealthy enough buyer before being purchased at the aforementioned price. The new owner, however, wished to remain anonymous. Rumour has it that the house was bought by a foreign corporation. One concern expressed by the previous owners, Mrs. Dang Kim Chi and Mrs. Nguyen Kim Sa Dang was that the new owner may use the house for economic purposes or may even pull it down, which is a great loss for the whole city. However, to date no damage or change has been made yet. Visitors can look around the outside of Phuong Nam for a small charge. The inside, however, is still a bit of a mystery because entry is not allowed.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee

Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe ward, District 1
Contact: 838296052

It’s pretty easy to guess when the building was constructed, as the Gothic style is clearly expressed. Designed based on the concept of a bell tower by the French architect Femand Gardes, its construction took more than a decade, from 1897 to 1909. It’s also a mixture between Renaissance  French and Italian style.

Initially named Hootel de Ville by the French, the site was turned into the people’s committee of our city after 30/4/1975 when Vietnam was officially independent and united. The building has witnessed many political events such as the protests in 1937 and 1950 when workers demanded for jobs and higher wages and various meetings

The building is symmetric, with the bell tower as the base line and our nation’s flag on its top. Furthermore, a carving of a woman and two children fighting a lot of carnivores. Right in front of the building is a statue of Uncle Ho, our beloved leader. At night, especially on during we ekends and holidays, hundreds of Saigonese would go skating, dancing or simply walking in the special area for entertainment in front of the committee. Also at this time of the day, the beauty of the building is completely revealed. One drawback of this site, however, is that entry is restricted to officials, so you won’t be able to discover the interior.

1. Nguyen Hue Apartment Block - 42 Nguyen Hue Street

Built in the 20th century, this block used to house government and military personnel, including US advisors ad naval officers before and after 1975.

Visitors often wander floor to floor up the twisting stairs looking for something that suits their taste. As there are options galore, make sure you have a look through all the cafés

Before stepping into the block, don’t forget to take a photo of it from the other side of the Walking Street. The combination of lighting from all the cafes at night surely will take your breath away.

The ground floor is occupied by the Fahasa bookstore, the left side of which lies the small entrance to the Café apartment. It is a bit hard to find due to the electrical cables and signs.

Once inside, the building is like a maze. Keep to the stairs, or just take the elevator. The first café you bump into is the Saigon Vieux  (2nd floor), where suits anyone looking for a romantic landscape. The swing reminds customers of childhood memories, while balcony looking over the Walking street is a perfect place for a short chat. Right next door is a fusion of fashion boutique and café, the Balcony Cafeteria.

Upstairs is a perfect place for a dessert. Apart from traditional coffee, Mango Tree also offers a good choice of ice cream and bingsu - a Korean dish consisting of ice shavings, sweetened condensed milk, fruits, Korean rice cake, cereal flakes and ice cream. A few meters away is The Maker, which stands among the most popular coffee shops in the area. This is more of a café-workshop, for it gives visitors an arty vibe.

On the fourth floor is Partea. Heavily influenced by English style, this tearoom allows customers to choose from an encyclopedic section and even drink in an English teapot.

There are far more to explore upstairs. Perfect examples are Metsign Café –a utopia for European style fanatics and Boo Café, a milk-tea shop with playful interior and The Letter Café – specially designed for Japanese culture’s enthusiasts.

Cafe Apartment Block in Saigon

However, the coffee apartment is not just about coffee. There are numerous fashion boutiques (e.g Baddest Blue -3rd floor, Maison De Jenny- 4th floor, etc.), some furniture shops and a jewelry store, perfect for window shopping. You should spare at least one evening to explore the apartment with all these activities!

2. Pasteur Apartment Block–158 Pasteur Street

Located on Pasteur Street, another tourist quarter filled with fast food restaurants in District 1, this block seems pretty old and insignificant on the outside. However, the interior is far more lively. The spiral staircase provides a perfect background for a shot.  

The most well-known cafés here are She Café and Secret Garden.

She Café  is highly recommended for single ladies for its quiet, tender atmosphere. In particular, the place is furnished with small-sized sets of tables and chairs, each with a flower vase. What’s more, portraits of beautiful women such as Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Marily Monroe and Princess Diana all the more honor women’s virtues. Despite being not so spacious, this design can create a feeling of comfort. Certainly, this indoor coffee shop remains at the top of the must-try list for energetic young ladies making the most of their youths.

Secret Garden, in contrast, provides families and close friends with a chance to gather. This café-restaurant also serves Vietnamese specialties and seafood in large portions for a group of at least 4 people to enjoy. After a long chat with homies, customers can comfort themselves watching the starry sky and Saigon’s nightlife while the gentle winds give them a good massage.

3. Ton That Dam Building - 14 Ton That Dam, District 1

Known as the most time-honored apartment block in Ho Chi Minh city, it was built in 1866 by the French, thus having some French influence in style. After the Vietnam War, it was given to government officials, whose families still live there now.

The old age and historic values turned it into a tourist destination. Consequently, some flat owners saw this as an opportunity to open up cafes and fashion shops with vintage style. Others soon caught up and turned what was simply a block into a frequently crowded area.

Located on the 1st floor, Banksy Studio is a perfect mixture of West and East. The traditional teapots are tastefully placed among the colorful furniture. Since the manager and his staff are knowledgeable about tea, they can give instructions on brewing your own drinks, which cannot be a more rewarding experience. Though it is arguably the best place to explore cultures, non-smokers are not well advised to go here, for smoking is allowed.

The Other Person Coffee on the 2nd floor, however, is radically different in style. All the objects resemble Japanese culture, while “waiters” are dressed in kimonos like geishas or anime characters. Since its operation in 2012, this café has never stopped appealing to anime and cosplay fans in the neighborhood.

If you are looking for a sweet, sugary and a bit unorthodox dessert, nothing suits you better than The Mockingbird (4th floor).  The specialty here - coconut ice cream mixed with pear and wine- is not something to be forgotten. Likewise, Coke Float makes visitors’ mouth water with the funny, fatty look. Regrettably, this image cannot maintain for too long before the cream melts and turns the drink into a hideous sight. What’s more soothing than enjoying a luscious dessert while watching the unceasingly exciting life of our country’s biggest city?

4. Ly Tu Trong Apartment Block-  26 Ly Tu Trong Street

Another café apartment in District 1! This one is situated at the intersection of Dong Khoi and Ly Tu Trong street. As it is just opposite the luxurious Vincom Centre, the background cannot suit you better for a good pose! Inside you can find bars, pubs, galleries, second-hand clothing shops, and, of course, cafes on offer. Styles range from classic to modern as you wander from floors to floors. Also constructed by the French, it is a symbol of great influence from their architecture, which can easily be seen in the staircase and the old lift. Unlike others, Ly Tu Trong apartment block has not undergone much reconstruction, therefore looks relatively more original.  Nonetheless, there has been little, if any, deterioration.

The Le Xuan art gallery, besides catching western travelers’ eyes, helps decorate the hallway with its stunning oil paintings.

Cong Café reminds nostalgic adults living in post-war years of those hard times. Enjoy the coffee and see the streets from the balcony. Don’t forget to look around to discover what your parents/ grandparents described as something “today’s kids never know how hard it was!”

The Loft on the same floor is another good choice for visitors. Ice-blended, soda and fruit juice are on the menu to freshen your day. This also serves dishes for the main course: European dishes like pasta are fantastic! One feature that makes The Loft stand out is the clock-like window.  This European object has acted as an icon for this café, attracting both city dwellers and tourists. In addition, jazz music is carefully selected by the owner to create an artistic landscape, so having lunch here would be something you cannot resist.

Bong Cai Xanh, despite being a cafe, is mainly known for main courses. A nutrient-rich meal in the vintage atmosphere here will suit office workers well.

Too much food and drinks already? Try shopping or photography. Saigonese love both. There are detailed instructions in the hallway, so getting lost will not be a problem. Otherwise, just wander to a random place. Photographers can help you with some memoirs of the trip, while shops have a variety of souvenirs for your friends.

5. Thai Van Lung Apartment Block, Thai Van Lung & Nguyen Du street

This one may be a bit different since the hallway is dark and a bit creepy. Still, this is all the more interesting for intrepid, curious visitors.

Cafes in this block are typical of Saigonese coffee culture: simple decoration. Reflections of this city’s culture can be seen anywhere. There are paintings, wooden doors, black and white TVs, and live acoustic music. For middle-aged adults willing to liven up their youth, there cannot be a more ideal place.

Bang Khuang Café, which was previously an old, abandoned flat, can revive memories of the good old days in every elder Saigonese. Listen to the door creaking, the people chatting. Look at those shelves and indoor hanging plants. Bang Khuang may have limited space, but the new owner managed to re-furnish and redecorate the flat to offer customers the airiest place possible. The warm and charming lighting from lanterns, with its focus on the paintings, turn this place a heaven for book readers. Beside the authentic homemade coffee, give the main courses a try.

Nguoi Sai Gon Café has its walls full of photographs, paintings and meaningful sayings about life. Music, sets of teapots and other potteries of the pre-1975 style give foreigners an overview of the city’s history. In the evening, several invited artists give live acoustic performances, mainly pre-war pieces.