1. The New District

The New District, held every 2^nd and 4^th week of each month, is one of the most famous fairs in Saigon. The fair will satisfy many fashionistas with a range of fashion shops which are popular on Instagram. These shops provide a lot of stylish and quality clothes with quite high prices. Besides, there are also a number of food stalls such as milk tea, peach tea, churros, Korean foods, and so on,  although these foods are not very tasty.

Address: #7 Nguyễn Tất Thành, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm

2. Xóm Chiếu Market

Despite not being as popular to the foreigners as Ben Thanh Market, Xom Chieu Market is still a good place to visit because of the friendliness of people and especially the freshness of produces here. Moreover, those alleyways around the Market is also significant for tasty streetfood such as “bánh tráng nướng”, “bánh tráng cuộn”, “hủ tíu” and so on. However, the hygiene is not very good, and the visitors usually have to negotiate the prices of goods.

Address: #Lê Quốc Hưng – Lê Văn Linh intersection, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5:00am – 10:00pm
Tel : (+84) 8 3940 1355

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1. Ốc Nhung Vĩnh Khánh Street

Walking along the street, you may be confused with several snail restaurants which serve tasty and quality dishes. However, to choose a typical restaurant to eat, I will consider Ốc Nhung restaurant. It has reputation for the freshness and diversity of foods,  brilliant cooking, and even appropriate prices. You can enjoy many tasty dishes such as ngêu hấp thái, sò điệp xào rau muống, sò mai nướng trứng, and so on . The restaurant opens from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm – a difficult time for many to pay a visit – and its space is a little quite small, but I think the food is still worth being spent time for.

Address: #Vĩnh Khánh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Prices: 20.000vnd – 30.000vnd

2. Bánh tráng trộn – 25 Street 11

Have you ever heard about bánh tráng trộn? Wanna try it? Although quite far from the city center, the small stand of bánh tráng trộn at 25 street 11 in District 4 is still very popular, especially with the young. Not only does the foods feature with many ingredients such as “rau răm, khô bò, trứng cút” but they also have cheap prices and remarkable sauce – a mixture of butter, “nước me” and “hành phi”. Besides, There are not many seats in the stand, so people usually ‘take away’ the foods.

Address: #25 Street 11, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

3. Mr Dieters’ German Sausage

What makes this small restaurant popular to the young are the two German salesmen. These guys are very friendly, kind-hearted and it is enjoyable moments when you watch this two foreigners roasting sausage. The foods here are quite good, especially the fragrant and fatty cheese sausage, and you can even eat with bánh mì, although the taste of those foods is quite strange with some people.

Address: #221 Tôn Đản, Ward 15, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours:  6:00am – 9:00am  and  2:00pm – 9:00pm
Prices: 25.000vnd – 30.000vnd

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America Discotheque

Wanna go to the largest nightclub in Vietnam? Welcome to America Discotheque. Located in the Windsor Plaza Hotel complex in District 5, the nightclub is a popular nightspot for both residents and expats. You can enjoy the thumping dance and techno tunes played by DJs on the main dance floor or hip hop and RnB in a separated room. The prices, however, are quite high, so you should carefully consider the drinks and foods here.

Address: #18 An Duong Vuong street, Ward 4, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel : (+84) 8 3833 6688
Opening hours : Open until 12:00am, 7 days a week

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Mống Bridge

Mống Bridge, one of the most antique bridge for walkers in Saigon from the Frech colonial period, is usually crowded, especially with the youth because of its beautiful design and its view towards the city. There are lots of good places to go here such as Bitexco tower standing significantly, the calm Tàu Hủ channel, high-crowded streets,  and many old and modern buildings. You can take a lovely picture and feel the peace in a chaotic city.

Address: #Tàu Hủ Channel, District 1 & 4, Ho Chi Minh City

Nha Rong Wharf (Bến Nhà Rồng)

If you care about Vietnam history, you definitely hear of Uncle Ho - Ho Chi Minh. On 5th June 1911, he set his abroad journey to seek for a way to free his nation Vietnam from the colonization at this Bến Nhà Rồng. Therefore, the port has a significant historical value. At that time, Bến Nhà Rồng was a big port of Saigon and remarkable for the dragons statue on the roof, which explains the name of it. Today, the building shifts into Ho Chi Minh museum and the architecture is still unchanged until now.

Address: #1 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Ward 12, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (+84) 8 3940 2060
Opening hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm ( from Tuesday to Thursday and Weekend) 

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Lý Tự Trọng & Lê Thánh Tôn Street

(*****) – New World Hotel Saigon
(****) – Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa, Golden Central Hotel Saigon, Liberty Central Saigon Center Hotel, Norfolk Hotel, Alagon D’antique Hotel & Spa, Central Palace Hotel
(***) – Sanouva Saigon Hotel, Lavender Boutique Hotel,Avanti Hotel, Bali Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel, Lan Lan II Hotel, GK Central Hotel, 
(**) & (*) – Ellyse Nga Khanh Hotel, Nguyen Shack Saigon, Phan Long Hotel, 

As two one-way and paralleled streets, the area around Lý Tự Trọng & Lê Thánh Tôn streets is one of the most busiest area in Saigon where not only you can find several quality hotels but you can also look for many restaurants and shops. Moreover, these street is also near those central spot such as the Independence Palace, Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian, Bến Thành Market and so on.

The Riverside Area

Nguyễn Huệ-Đồng Khởi-Hai Bà Trưng-Thái Văn Lung-Thi Sách-…

(*****) – Rex Hotel, The Reverie Saigon Hotel, Caravelle Saigon, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, Hotel Majestic Saigon, Park Hyatt Saigon, Grand Hotel Saigon, Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon, Le Meridien Saigon,v.v.
(****) – Saigon Prince Hotel, Silverland Jolie Hotel & Spa, Royal Hotel Saigon, Hotel Continental Saigon, Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint, Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel, Millennium Boutique Hotel,  Sunny Service Apartment, Paragon Saigon Hotel,v.v.
(***) & (**) – Au Lac II Hotel, Asian Ruby Central Point Hotel, Camelia Saigon Central Hotel, Huong Sen Hotel, Catina Saigon Hotel, Roseland Point Hotel, v.v.

The area is a combination of more than ten streets which are near the bank of Saigon River. This area is right inside the center of Ho Chi Minh City where you can find everything you want from high-class hotel, restaurants, shopping mall to common hostels, food stalls, shops, ect. You can easily get to those famous spots such as the Independence Palace, Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian, Notre Dame Cathedral  and you can even walk along the bank or have a cruise on the Saigon River.

Bui Vien Street and nearby area

Meraki Hotel(**), Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel(**), Gia Vien Hotel(**),v.v.
New Saigon Hostel, Diep Anh Guest House, Townhouse 373 Saigon, Sigoong Hostel, The Hangout-Vietnam Hideout Hostels, Sunny Guest House,v.v.

Bui Vien, crowded from day to night, is the most popular street among foreign tourists in Saigon. Not only this street but the Phạm Ngũ Lão and Đề Thám street nearby also has a great number of  western-style restaurants,pubs, galleries, and most important, backpacker hostels with appropriate prices and high quality.

 Here are typical hostels in the area:

1.     New Saigon Hostel

Located on Bui Vien street, the most well-known street for expats, New Saigon Hostel is featured with its cleanliness, safety, and especially the enthusiastic and friendly staff who are willing to suggest places for you to go, as well as help you book tours and bus tickets. Although the hostel doesn’t have any bar or lounge area to meet people, its location is on one of the most busiest streets in Saigon where you can find several pubs or bars instead. This place is highly recommended by hundreds of foreign tourists.

Address: #270 Bui Vien Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city

2.     Diep Anh Guest House

Diep Anh Guest House, situated in an alley between Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao street, is one of the most famous guest houses in the city. Its reputation comes from the owners, a lovely and helpful couple (Anh & Diep). They can recommend many places to go, help you book appropriate tours, introduce ways to buy high-quality goods and even chat about lots of things in Saigon with you. These will make you feel the warmth of a family and the soul of people here.

Address: #241/31, Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city

3.     Town House 373 Saigon

Do you want to have the best breakfast at a hostel in Ho Chi Minh city? So you can not miss Town House 373 Saigon. Highly recommended for its breakfast. The hostel will serve you a buffet with fruits (typically “dragon fruit” and “passion fruit”), salad, tea and so on. Besides, it is also featured with the friendly and helpful staff, safety and good wifi.

Address: #373/45 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city

4.     Sigoong Hostel

Sigoong Hostel, located on De Tham street but not at the crowded part, will help you rest well with its clean and comfortable beds. It also has professional service, good prices, decent breakfasts and even a rooftop loungue where you can have beer and meet other travelers.

Address: #92 De Tham Sstreet, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city

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Dimsum Baoz

Dimsum Baoz, a very Chinese-style restaurant in Saigon, is remarkable for its tasty Dimsum dish: the fillings are wrapped inside a thin layer of flour and savored with spices, sea-foods, and vegetables. Besides, there are also many other kinds of foods such as the crispy fried tofu, Chinese fried noodles and so on. The restaurant is quite spacious and open but sometimes a little too crowded and noisy.

Address: 86-88 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city
Website: baozdimsum.com
Tel: (+84) 0 3923 1480
Opening hours: 6:30am - 2:00pm and 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Prices : 50.000 - 200.000vnd

Huê Ký Mỳ gia

A long-standing family restaurant, Huê Ký Mì Gia  is renowned for its “mì vịt tiềm” dish, a delicious dish with fragrantly braised duck, well-cooked noodles, and tasty broth. The restaurant was built by the Chinese in the Chợ Lớn area. The cost is quite high because of its professional service, but it is still very much worth it.

Address: #59B Thuan Kieu, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city
Tel: (+84) 8 3857 2640
Opening hours: 5:30am - 9:00pm
Prices : 50.000 - 100.000vnd

Đông Nguyên Cơm gà

Đông Nguyên Chicken rice restaurant , despite its rather expensive menu, has a reputation for its chicken rice, which is  a savory combination of  sticky rice, well-cooked chicken and many other ingredients. Although located in Chợ Lớn, a highly populated area usually overcrowded by many people, especially Vietnamese of  Chinese origins, its service is still very professional and satisfactory.

Address: #801 Nguyen Trai, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city
Tel: (+84) 8 3855 7662
Website : http://www.comgadongnguyen.vn/
Opening hours: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Prices : 50.000 - 80.000vnd

Nước sâm Lê Hồng Phong

Do you want to relieve the heat in a humid Saigon day? This herbal tea stand is here for you. Located at the Le Hong Phong - Nguyen Trai intersection, although just a small stand, it is crowded by thousands of people daily for its cool, refreshing drinks made at home from herbs that are beneficial to the health. Famous, trustworthy and tasty, why not give it a shot?

Address: #At the corner of Le Hong Phong and Nguyen Trai street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city

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An Đông Market

An Đông Market, built more than 60 years ago in the “Cho Lon” area, is a big market at the heart of Saigon. The market is famous for its clean and wide space, its wholesale prices and a variety of products including but not limited to fabrics, shoes, clothes, etc. There are also food stands, fruit stands and especially arts and crafts stands. Safe and convenient for shoppers, this place is usually crowded and well-recommended by many people. Besides, An Đông Market is also an embodiment of "Chợ Lớn" area with its historic value. Next to the market stands the monumental  An Đông Plaza, which also sells many kinds of goods.

Address: #34-36 An Dương Vương, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city
Tel: (+84) 8 3835 4773
Opening hours:  7:00am - 6:00pm

Nguyễn Trãi Street

A big avenue ranging from district 5 to district 1, Nguyen Trai street is a well-known shopping street in Saigon for its famous fashion shops. Whereas the part of district 1 of the street features more premium brand-name shops, the part in district 5 has more common and inexpensive shops selling nonetheless products with high quality.

Address: #Nguyễn Trãi Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city

Hùng Vương Parkson

As a big commercial center in Saigon generally and Cho Lon area particularly, Hùng Vương Parkson is a favorite spot for the youth. Not only does it sell high-class clothes, caparison and cosmetics but the Parkson also serves visitors with food court, game zone, gym and even cinema (CGV cinema). You can enjoy some great movies at the cinema with your friends, then have a lunch at the food court and get crazy at wasting so many coins in the game zone. You can spend all your day here and I am sure you will not regret it!

Address: #126 Hồng Bàng, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh
Tel:  (+84) 08-22220383
Website: http://www.parkson.com.vn
Opening hours: 9:30 am - 10:00 pm

All photos on this post taken by Trieu Anh.

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Bà Thiên Hậu Pagoda

Bà Thiên Hậu Pagoda, a famous construction in the Cho Lon area, is the oldest Chinese pagoda built by the Chinese who emigrated to Vietnam in 1760. It embodies typical Chinese architecture embellished with flowery, leafy patterns, birds, statues, ceramic items and so on. Many people visit the pagoda on the first and fifteenth day of a lunar month when a full moon is visible. Not only does it symbolize architectural and religious values but a pagoda is also a gathering place of the Chinese-Vietnamese community.

Address: #710 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Miếu Quan Đế (Nghĩa An Hội quán)

Constructed by the Chinese, the pagoda appears as a beautiful ancient pagoda in District 5 featuring interesting Chinese architectural style. Get inside and explore the mystery of Chinese-Buddhist interiors!

Address: #678 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

All photos on this post taken by Trieu Anh

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Com tam

“Cơm tấm”, essential to the daily lives of Saigon people, is one of the must-eat foods while visiting Saigon. Com suon is normally a dish of rice with pork meat, but with many additional material such as “bì”, “chả”, “xíu mại” and especially fish sauce added, it becomes a delicious traditional food in Saigon.

Cali “Com tam”

As a famous “com tam” brand in Vietnam, Cali “Com tam” serves many kinds of “com tam” such as “Com tam suon bi cha”, “Com tam xiu mai”,… and even sticky rice.  The prices are a little high but still worth for its distinctive pork embalmed with spices,  modern decoration, and enthusiastic staffs  .These restaurants are favourite places of white-collar workers in the city to have lunch.

Prices: 25.000-70.000 vnd
Hotline: 3925 2222
Address:
#222 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh, District1, Ho Chi Minh
#48 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
#32 Nguyen Trai, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
#35Bis Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe, District1, Ho Chi Minh
#236 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Website: http://comtamcali.com/vi/

Thuận Kiều “Com Tam”

Thuan Kieu “com tam”, also a long-standing “com tam” brand in Vietnam,  features with its high-quality meal including big pork slices, additional materials, delicious fish sauce and the professional service.

Prices: 40.000-60.000 vnd
Tel : (+84) 8 39553031
Address: #26 Ton That Tung, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
#114 Yersin, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Website: http://comtamthuankieu.com.vn/

Bùi Thị Xuân “Xôi chè”

Bùi Thị Xuân “Xôi chè” is very famous for its delicious sticky rice as well as sweet gruel. The restaurant is not only spacious and airy but it also contains a diverse menu of different foods. A sticky rice dish features with not only the rice but also additional ingredients such as saltish rousong (chà bông), Chinese sausage and especially fatty pate. Therefore, this place is usually crowded with lots of people, especially on the weekends.

Address:#111 Bui Thi Xuan,  Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
Prices: 10.000-30.000vnd
Website: http://www.xoichebuithixuan.com/index/

Noodles delicacy

Although Ho Chi Minh City is in the South of Vietnam, the food here is the combination from all over the country. There is “Bún Chả” from Hanoi, “Bún Bò” from Hue, “Bún Mắm”  and so on.

Hoa Đông “Bún Chả” of Hà Nội

Do you want to enjoy a traditional food of Hanoi at the heart of Saigon? Hoa Dong “Bun cha”, opened from more than 50 years ago, is the best option. The restaurant has a reputation for its tasty meats, grilled chopped crab, shrimp rice cake and many other tasty things in every bowl of “bún chả”. It has another branch on Nguyen Trai Street.

Prices: 45.000-65.000vnd
Address: #121 Lý Tự Trọng, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

Bùi Thị Xuân “Bún Bò Huế”

“Bún Bò Huế” is a traditional food of Huế province but very popular in Ho Chi Minh City with several restaurants serving it. But if you want to taste the true Huế’s soul in this food, why don’t try Bùi Thị Xuân “Bún Bò Huế”?  With the professional service, Bùi Thị Xuân “Bún Bò Huế” will surprise you with its bowl of “bún bò” containing a lot of meat and tasty bouillon, so you can enjoy the most famous Hue’s food.

# At the corner of Cong Quynh – Bui Thi Xuan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Prices: 45.000-60.000vnd

Ngọc “Phở” of Hồ Hảo Hớn

Phở is a traditional food of Vietnam and there are many kinds of pho depend on the weather, tradition and people of a particular region. At Hồ Hảo Hớn phở, although it is just a small food stand set up in an alley, you can enjoy the very South in every bowl of Phở, with the typical culantro (ngò gai), delicious bouillon, and especially the friendly and generous atmosphere of the South.

Address: #Alley 30 of Ho Hao Lon Street, Co Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Prices: 50.000-60.000vnd

“Bún Mắm” 61

“Mắm” is a hard-to-eat food for many people, but it is a traditional food of the South. If you want to try, “Bun Mam” 61 is a good choice. As a famous “bún mắm” restaurant in Saigon, “Bún Mắm”61 features with its high-quality food, fresh cuttle-fish, tasty consomme and appropriate prices.

Address: #63 Co Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Prices: 30.000-60.000vnd

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