Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, serves as Vietnam’s economic hub, blending vibrant French colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. District 1, encompassing Ben Thanh and the Backpacker area, remains the primary base for travelers due to its proximity to major attractions and transport links. District 3 offers a quieter, upscale alternative for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. The city’s fast-paced energy and rich coffee culture make it an ideal gateway for exploring Southern Vietnam.
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District 1 is the top choice, offering walkable access to the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Independence Palace. District 3 is ideal for travelers preferring a quieter, upscale hotel experience, located just a short drive from the city center.
Local transport relies heavily on motorbikes and taxis. It is recommended to arrange rides through your hotel or use reputable ride-hailing apps to avoid unregulated street cabs. The metro system is currently under construction.
The dry season (December to April) features cool, dry weather, making it ideal for outdoor exploration. The rainy season (May to November) brings afternoon showers but fewer tourists and potentially better hotel rates.
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This chic establishment, part of CoCo Saigon, boasts a whisky bar, a private party villa, and a stylish dining room with a kitchen counter and black granite tables. Chef Thanh Vuong Vo presents contemporary cuisine that blends Vietnamese recipes with creative flair. A seasonal tasting menu is built around a unique theme, offering a culinary journey through thoughtfully crafted dishes. Each course follows a storyline that unfolds gradually, with flavours designed to complement one another in perfect balance. While the set menu provides a comprehensive dining experience, the à la carte menu is a
WebsiteHoused in one of the city’s luxury hotels, Long Trieu’s lavish dining room boasts jade stonework, traditional gold-leaf painted Chinese scenes and ornate seating. The menu offers a wide selection of à la carte and set dishes that pay tribute to Cantonese culinary heritage, while cleverly incorporating local Vietnamese ingredients into traditional Cantonese techniques. Highlights include the fried prawns with XO sauce and the hot and sour wonton soup.
WebsiteIn tune with the restaurant’s name, meaning “flowing water” in the Australian Aboriginal language, the 1,200 light rods hung around the open kitchen evoke a shimmering stream at sunset. Just like flowing water, Chef Aisbett weaves and bends the rules as he casts unexpected light on familiar produce, both local and imported. In the tasting menu, creative European dishes with Vietnamese influences never fail to wow. Aussie and international wine pairing available.
WebsiteAfter working abroad in Hong Kong, Chicago and Bangkok, chef-owner Peter Cuong Franklin returned to Vietnam to open this restaurant in a lively market. He applies modern cooking techniques to authentic street food recipes to create enticing flavours. Whether it’s the foie gras spring roll, Ha Noi turmeric fish or Wagyu beef mini bánh mì, every dish is a masterclass in well-balanced flavours and textures.
WebsiteIt may be tucked away down a narrow alley, but Phở Minh has been attracting hungry Saigonese with its traditional beef noodle soup since 1945. Choose between beef tenderloin, brisket and a variety of different cuts available on the day. With its flaky puff pastry and piping-hot meat filling, their freshly baked pâté chaud is a must. They close at 10am, so come early before the food runs out.
With its bold burnt-orange façade and playful interior of tiled floors and velvet chairs, this vibrant spot delivers Mediterranean charm with a youthful twist. Chef Julio Gomez puts a local twist on classic flavours, in dishes such as gambas al ajillo – plump Vietnamese prawns in aromatic chilli-garlic oil – and a tender and well-seared Ibérico pork steak to rival any beef. Portions suit sharing, and the easy-going setting invites you to linger with a drink.
A relaxed vibe provides the perfect foil to Latin-American recipes crafted by Adrian Chong Yen, a Malaysian chef who worked in Singapore for 12 years. His à la carte menu is eclectic and appetising, featuring empanadas from Mexico, scallop ceviche from Peru and burrata salad from Italy. Sol is also famous for its red meat, including marinated steak served with chimichurri sauce, BBQ ribs glazed with fish sauce, and whole roasted chicken served with mojo sauce.
WebsiteEat like a local at this hidden gem near Ben Thanh Market! Inside, the vivid yellow walls are decorated to echo the exterior of village houses, complete with blue shutters. With its pleasant buzz, the restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere. Perch on one of the wooden stools, as the regulars do, and sample the signature Vietnamese pancake with shrimp and pork, served in a shallow bamboo basket. The fried rice with shrimp and egg, served in a coconut shell, is also worth trying. The service is friendly, portions are perfect for sharing.
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