In a bustling city like Ho Chi Minh City that bustles even more at night, places to find food in the wee hours of the morning is never a difficult feat. And Pho Ha, a cosy little pho-focused eatery in District 1 just a short walk from where we stayed, proved to be a solid go-to to satiate our pho cravings from as late (or early) as 1am.

This late-night spot is a bit of an institution in Saigon. Before the arrival of Bitexco tower across the road, the street that Pho Ha sits on used to be packed with late night pho outlets serving Saigon’s later night revellers.

Having been around for the past 20 years, these folks know how to serve up a proper bowl of pho, so skip your McDonald’s and head over to Pho Ha for a delicious late-night bite instead.

Having knocked back a couple of beers, we were hankering for something hot, soupy and comforting, hence, a bowl of beef pho seemed to be the only logical choice.

Meaty and straightforward yet brimming with heady notes of spices—at only 50,000 VND a bowl—there really is no questioning why the locals here can have this every single day.

Delving into unfamiliar territory, we decided to order their Fried Pho with Beef (85,000 VND). The dish resembles that of the crispy noodles we often find in zi char stalls in Singapore with the only exception being that it did not come with much sauce.

Because there wasn’t much sauce to soften the noodles, the noodles did become a hassle to chew through and our jaws ached after a while. The only saving grace to this would be the strips of tender and well-seasoned beef and onions that helped to amplify the dish’s otherwise non-existent flavour.

Pho Ha
19 Hai Trieu, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 91 394 49 43
Daily: 4pm – 2am

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

A popular pit stop among the Vietnamese locals, Nhu Lan Bakery houses several food stalls in one. The establishment functions as a banh mi kiosk, a proper sit-down Vietnamese eatery as well as a delicatessen and meat grocer.

Every morning from as early as 5am, throngs of locals park their scooters right outside the eatery, grabbing themselves a quick bite before going about their day. Curious, and pining for a taste of what locals deem delicious, we decided to pay the humble eatery a visit.

They serve everything under the sun, from tasty, proper bowls of pho bo, to a massive selection of banh mi toppings and even some other local delicacies not commonly found elsewhere.

Outside is where you can get your hands on some freshly-made banh mi. Inside, however, they serve a pretty impressive variety of noodle and rice dishes from the classic pho, dry rice noodles to some pretty interesting, rarely heard of items as well.

Having read so much more about Vietnam’s many varieties of noodle dishes, we decided to wing it with their Rice Noodles with Fried Spring Rolls and Barbecued Pork (40,000 VND).

The dish features a colossal portion of rice noodles along with some pickled vegetables, spring rolls, barbecued pork, ground peanuts and a lime wedge. Like most Vietnamese dishes, it also comes with a platter of fresh herbs.

To get the ultimate combination of flavours and textures, you really have to mix everything together. We went with a dash of fish sauce, lime juice, chillis, garlic, fresh herbs simply torn in and sriracha for ours.

The result? A vibrant and addictive mix of fresh flavours that encompassed sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

Unsure of what else to get, we decided to go with our gut and randomly pointed towards one of the lesser intimidating items on the menu. Thankfully, what was served to us was the Rice with Fried Roast Pork, Braised Pork, Pickled Cabbage & Egg (40,000 VND).

Laced with a tangy, salty kick from the pickled cabbage, coupled with the fresh taste of coriander along with the smoky, meaty taste of the barbecued pork, this was honestly one of the most delightful we had—that isn’t pho.

The flavours reminded us of pig’s organ soup, especially with the heavy emphasis on pickled vegetables to counter the porky taste, just that this was much drier.

Stuffed from edge to edge with thin rice noodles, fresh vegetables and slivers of shrimp, we absolutely couldn’t get enough of their Pork & Shrimp Spring Roll (15,000 VND). The rice paper was a little stiff and tricky to nibble through, but besides that, everything was perfect.

We’re not fully sure what went into the dipping sauce, except that it was a mixture of sweet, tangy, savoury and nutty qualities. Come to think of it, hoisin definitely made up a majority of its flavour.

Nhu Lan Bakery
50 Ham Nghi, Ben Nghé, Quan 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3914 1338
Daily: 4am – 11pm
SGD to VND: S$1 : 16981.22 VND (aprox)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

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Hardly anyone can say no to a good bowl of pho, essentially a simple bowl of bone broth with a swirl of rice noodles topped with beef slices, Thai basil leaves, coriander and raw bean sprouts, this bowl spells total comfort—especially so on a cold, rainy day or after a boozy night out. Despite its unclear origins, it can be considered Vietnam’s treasured national dish.

Since the days of the Vietnam War, Pho has spread far and wide across the globe to be enjoyed by many, but there’s definitely something about having it in its home country that makes it so much better than at anywhere else.

CHEAP

Regardless of what kind of dish it is, it is always the cheapest in its land of origin. Being located right at the source means getting fresh ingredients as soon as possible and as cheaply as possible. For as little as 20,000 VND (approx. S$1.20) you can get the cheapest, freshest and tastiest bowl of pho you’ll ever have.

EMOTIONALLY GROUNDING

For most locals, not only is pho breakfast food, but it is also comfort food. There’s something about how the noodles and broth combine in a bowl of pho that grounds you in the moment. It’s the way the locals start every day proper, and it’s the way that it gets you into the groove of this vibrant morning country.

POT MASTERS

It goes without saying that the Vietnamese really know how to make the perfect soup stock. Every chef has their own carefully formulated spice mix using ingredients such as cardamom, fennel, anise, cinnamon, cloves, roasted onions and sliced gingers. They really do take the time to meticulously clean the bones to impart that full body flavour without being overwhelming.

Every bowl of soup is a labour of love — clean, refreshing, savoury and satisfying.

RUSTIC CHARM

There’s something undeniably homey about huddling over a bowl of soup by the roadside at 7am before the sun fully rises and watching the quiet streets come alive. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Cast aside your worries about unclean food and sit in front of a squat table or milk crates with the rest of the locals and immerse yourself in the experience.

STORY IN A BOWL

As the nation’s unofficial national dish, it’s no surprise that Vietnam’s rich history is reflected in this simple bowl of noodles. The two distinctive pho variations came about as a result of Vietnam’s turbulent history — in Hanoi’s variation, pho retains its original traditional rustic purity, while in Saigon’s variation, it is much more colourful and much more polished, very much like the cities themselves.

ZERO WASTE

These street vendors are also proficient in nose-to-tail dining, meaning little to no food waste is generated. All the parts of the animal (usually cow or chicken) are utilised, be it in the broth or as a topping itself. Certain vendors also allow you to pick the particular cut of meat you’d like, making it perfect for the adventurous eaters who’d like to try more unusual cuts of meat.

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City guides to discover the best places to visit.

To only have a single bowl of pho during a vacation to Vietnam is a downright atrocity. The popular street food is the core staple of Vietnamese cuisine and is literally what going to Vietnam’s all about—for us anyway.

Stumbling upon a rather unassuming eatery by the street going by the name Pho Hai Trieu, we were lured in by the bold aromas of simmering meat broth and freshly stir-fried delights, as well as a team of friendly wait staff who were eager to sit us down.

Specialising in an assortment of chicken dishes, pho and hearty soups, this humble eatery may not seem like much at first, but it really does impress with its wide array of menu offerings—especially their chicken dishes.

While pho was the main item on our agenda, we were intrigued by the sheer number of dishes available in this small eatery. From an assortment of chicken dishes, comforting soups that include anything and everything, to a wide array of noodle dishes, they have it all.

Seeing as to how literally every table was having chicken, we decided to give their chicken a go too. Ordering a bowl of their Pho Ga (55,000 VND) did not disappoint as it came with a generous portion of tender shredded chicken meat, sliced onions and an insanely huge serving of rice noodles.

The broth was heavenly, to say the least, with every mouthful delivering so much more than just a deep, comforting chicken flavour. There was a subtle sweetness in the broth that complemented the overall savouriness of the dish as well as a thin yet crucial layer of chicken fat that provided an additional layer of hearty chicken flavour.

The Pho Tai (55,000 VND), essentially a bowl of beef pho featuring rare steak, was a tad underwhelming—only because of the fact that we already had our minds blown from the beef pho at Pho Phuong.

Nonetheless, the broth and everything else in it was pretty solid. Our only gripe was that the beef could have been slightly rarer so as to give it a better texture.

Great if you’re in a hurry—because service here is lightning quick—, Pho Hai Trieu may not be the best place for pho if that’s your main goal, but it sure does pack a substantial arsenal of yummy delights with their chicken dishes standing out the most.

Pho Hai Trieu
Ben Nghe, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 98 984 62 18

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

While pho, spring rolls and banh mi are great, they aren’t all that Vietnam is good for. In fact, there is way more depth and complexity to their cuisine than just rice noodles and French baguettes.

Tucked away along a quiet street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, lies 33 De Tham Restaurant—a 3-storey seafood restaurant that simply wowed us. Specialising in zi char-style cooking, their menu boasts a wide range of delights ranging from the usual to the exotic, of which you can choose to have fried, steamed, barbecued and even as part of a hot pot.

Their range of seafood is phenomenal and not only is the quality topnotch, the price is unbelievably affordable as well—we ordered up a pretty wicked array of items and barely felt a pinch. A popular haunt among expatriates and tourists, here is why you need to dine at 33 De Tham Restaurant when in Ho Chi Minh City.

For a margin of the price that you would get in Singapore, you can enjoy a wide range of seafood offerings. Hankering for a shellfish of sorts, we kickstarted our dinner with their Grilled Scallops with Onion (60,000 VND).

Each beautiful scallop was topped with a generous amount of cooked green onion and roasted peanuts for added texture. Simply executed, we were allowed to appreciate the genuine freshness and flavour of the scallop.

Hands down, one of the best dishes we had that night was the Grilled Octopus (100,000 VND). Grilled hard and fast over charcoal, a nice smoky flavour developed around the octopus tentacles, providing a nice subtly charred and bitter element that complemented the sweet flesh really well.

Don’t be afraid to squeeze over some fresh lime and dab on a little salt and pepper to taste—this is what dreams are made of. Period.

In dire need of a carb option, the Fried Rice With Ten Items (35,000 VND) seemed the most appealing. Of course, we were sceptical at first about whether they really did prepare this rice dish with exactly ten items, but it tasted too good for us to bother anyway.

Tasting as good as those in any good Chinese restaurant and brimming with substantial wok hei, this simple dish of rice, eggs, meat and vegetables is truly worth it.

Costing literally less than S$6 for an entire fish, we could not resist ordering ourselves their Fried Red Tilapia (100,000 VND). Crispy from edge to edge while still maintaining a flaky, delicate centre, this satisfying fish dish was a joy to have.

The fish does not come seasoned or pre-marinated, but it is topped with green onions and peanuts as well and is served with a sweet chilli sauce on the side. Albeit impossible for us to finish, despite how delicious it was, we did our best.

33 De Tham Restaurant
Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City 700000
Tel: +84 98 821 35 36
Daily: 11am – 1.30am

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places in the city.

Walking down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, one might find it a challenge to identify exactly which pho stall is truly the best especially with the sheer amount of street-side stalls, food stands and restaurants selling it.

But perhaps one of the best and most highly recommended pho places in Ho Chi Minh City to visit is Pho Phuong 25 in District 1. Having heard so much praise being sung by both locals and tourists, we did not hesitate to pay this humble corner stall a visit—we were far from disappointed.

For a truly authentic and out-of-this-world beef pho experience when in Ho Chi Minh City, you really have to drop by Pho Phuong 25.

Based on the only menu that was given to us, it seemed that the eatery only had one item on the menu but served with different varieties of beef cuts and offal.

Feeling a mad hankering for all things beef, we opted for the Large Bowl (75,000 VND), a monster-sized bowl that comprised all sorts of beef types from the tender brisket, to semi-rare beef slices and even cartilage and soft tendon as well.

The first thing that hits you—besides how enormous the entire bowl is—is the fragrant scent of beef broth that you just know packs unbeatable flavour. Served alongside it is an entire tray of fresh basil, lime wedges and chilli.

Brimming with an insanely concentrated beef flavour along with a heady back note of warm spices and fresh herb, the broth was pretty clean tasting yet super flavourful. Every component from the rice noodles to the individual beef slices was cooked perfectly and each mouthful was just literal comfort at its best.

Crucial to a bowl of pho bo (otherwise known as beef pho) is the addition of raw garnishes and truly, the experience was elevated tenfold when we tore bits of basil leaves into the mixture along with some lime juice and chilli.

We may not have gotten the real deal when it came down to ordering up a glass of their Vietnamese coffee but the one thing that we can admit to is that it tasted really good. Like drinking a liquified version of Kopiko.

Besides offering tasty bowls of pho, we really liked the overall atmosphere of the eatery. Featuring both indoor and open-air seating, you could easily bask in the aroma of simmering beef broth and freshly plucked herbs surrounding the entire eatery.

And another interesting thing to note if you’re a foodie is that just around the corner nestles one of the most popular street food restaurants in the whole of Ho Chi Minh City—the widely praised Lunch Lady.

Pho Phuoung
25 Hoàng Sa, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 6am – 9pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, no one ever leaves without paying the acclaimed Lunch Lady a visit. This internationally-renowned street food stall—located just a few steps away from popular pho joint, Pho Phuong 25—is famous for their down-to-Earth, rustic charm and menu that rotates daily.

The stall made its mark less than a decade ago after the late, great Anthony Bourdain visited them as part of his food programme, No Reservations. Until today, Lunch Lady is still highly patronised by locals, tourists, as well as food bloggers from around the world—like us.

The humble stall is owned and run by Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh, also known as the Lunch Lady. An international street food icon, her modest stall in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is packed daily and for good reason–her food is truly out of this world. Period.

The moment you get yourself seated down, you are welcomed with an abundance of side dishes from deep-fried prawn fritters to an assortment of traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. Feeling rather stuffed, and with our stomach’s set on trying Ms Nguyen’s ever-popular Thursday Noodles, we decided to give the sides a miss.

For those of you pining for a taste of legit Vietnamese spring rolls, you’ll be happy to know that the snack is available here too. Having it alone won’t leave much of an impression, but accompanying it is a special dip that you simply must try.

A beautiful harmony of sweet, savoury and umami notes with an assertive characteristic of dried shrimp and roasted peanuts, the sauce really does elevate the taste of the spring roll, allowing the fresh herbaceous qualities from the basil to really shine through.

Lunch Lady specialises in serving noodle dishes with a different variant on the menu every day. We got ourselves what she calls, the Thursday Noodles (50,000 VND), and what it is is basically noodle soup dish with generous amounts of roasted pork belly, sliced pork, large prawns, fish cake, morning glory (kang kong) as well as cuttlefish.

The ingredients were fresh and for what the dish was worth, we were utterly shocked by how generous she was with her ingredients, but more so by how incredibly tasty the entire dish was from the rich broth to its individual components.

The broth was a hearty mix of deep, meaty flavours with a hint of savoury seafood, perfectly melded together to form a concentrated yet deeply satisfying combination of flavours. Despite it being so simple, the manipulation of skill and passion really showed, and every spoonful of the flavourful broth propelled our tastebuds into gastronomic nirvana.

Lunch Lady
23 Hoang Sa Street
Phuong Da Kao, District 1 (Quan 1)
Tel: +84 93 388 79 22
Daily: 9am – 3pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Vietnamese food is one of the best things in Asia. From fresh spring rolls to a comforting bowl of pho, Vietnamese dishes are distinct and highly addictive.

Due to Ho Chi Minh City’s sizeable Muslim population, halal Vietnamese food is not too difficult to chance upon. In fact, in the touristy district of bustling Ben Thanh, you can expect to see a string of eateries that are either owned by Muslims or are halal certified.

Embrace the authentic Vietnamese streetside experience and dig into tantalising Vietnamese food as you saunter around the bike-congested lanes. If you are having trouble trying to decide where is a good pit-stop to indulge in some Vietnamese grub, turn to this list of restaurants that will whet your appetite pho sure.

Here Are 6 Halal Restaurants In Ho Chi Minh City To Satisfy Your Vietnamese Food Cravings.

Photo Credit: D’Nyonya Saigon Restaurant

#1 D’NYONYA SAIGON RESTAURANT

A one-minute walk from Saigon Central Mosque will lead you to this humble restaurant that serves not only Vietnamese cuisine but also Malaysian fare.

From Assam Laksa, crispy Pie-Tee, Nyonya Otah-Otah, Signature Beef Pho, Vietnamese Spring Rolls to Tom Yum Vermicelli soup, you can enjoy both cuisines under one roof.

56 Dong Du St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh 70100, Vietnam
Tel: +84 838 223 902
Daily: 7am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Halal@Saigon

#2 HALAL@SAIGON

This unassuming eatery can be found just across the street from Saigon Central Mosque. Its location is strategic, food is always good, and that’s why regulars and tourists flock to the stall for delicious Vietnamese grub.

Delight in a variety of Vietnamese classics as well as dishes imbued with Malaysian influences. For starters, go for the Young Coconut Salad With Shrimp and the Rice Pancake With Chicken.

31 Dong Du Street, District 1
Ho Chi Minh 70100, Vietnam
Tel: +84 838 246 823
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Kampung Pandan Restaurant

#3 KAMPUNG PANDAN RESTAURANT

This Muslim-friendly food joint is just a stone’s throw away from the famous Ben Thanh Market, posing as an apt pit-stop to refuel after some intense shopping. The Vietnamese dishes here will satisfy your cravings in no time with the fresh spring rolls, chicken or beef pho and the Vietnamese-style fried noodles.

The restaurant also offers Malaysian and Indian fare if you wish to switch things up a bit.

53 Thu Khoa Huan Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh 70100, Vietnam
Tel: +84 909 376 388
Daily: 9am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Anggun

#4 PHO MUSLIM

Living up to its namesake, this halal-certified hidden gem serves beef pho in the mornings and bun bo hue (Vietnamese Spicy Lemongrass Soup with Beef Slices) in the evening.

Kick start your morning with this hearty bowl of flavoursome beef broth paired with tender slices of beef—it is extremely addictive. The pocket-friendly prices at Pho Muslim will have you coming back for more.

505 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5
Ho Chi Minh 70000, Vietnam
Daily: 6am – 1pm, 4pm – 12am

Photo Credit: Saigon Green House

#5 SAIGON GREEN HOUSE

Escape the sweltering heat and dine at this air-conditioned restaurant situated just opposite Mariamman Hindu Temple, near Ben Thanh Market. The interiors are bright and spacious and the menu features an orderly line-up of both Malaysian and Vietnamese dishes.

Pair your scrumptious meals with their signature Vietnamese Tea—just like how the locals would—and feel absolutely invigorated thereafter.

52 Truong Dinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh 70100, Vietnam
Tel: +84 838 250 457
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Anggun

#6 THE DAUN RESTAURANT

The Daun Restaurant is just a three-minute walk away from Ben Thanh Market and their signature fresh spring rolls are a must-try when you are there!

Aside from its yummy Vietnamese dishes, this Singaporean-owned restaurant offers complimentary WiFi to all its diners so you can snap and instantly share that glorious bowl of pho on social media.

194, Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh 70100, Vietnam
Tel: +84 126 424 3229
Daily: 7am – 10.30pm

While I still have a few more posts from my other trips (Lyon, Paris, and Hong Kong), I thought I’d blog about my recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – commonly known as Saigon – the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

This post is a simple guide to Saigon based on my trip there. Since I only had a few days to try some places, this is by no means a complete eating guide to restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). I’d love to go back again and eat at more places, but we’ll have to see how that goes.

So for now, here’s my Travel Guide on where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Vietnam has that old-world charm where everything is untouched by civilisation. I don’t think I will ever love Saigon as much as I love Bangkok, but I was very happy to walk around the city, look at the locals at work, and eat all day long.

Like any other cities, it is quite difficult to explore if you do not know any locals. Especially so in Saigon as most of the people do not speak English. I am quite lucky as I managed to eat at a few nice places. Before leaving for the trip, I did some research on the must-go restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, but I have to say that there are limited information online. So I hope that through this guide, you will be able to enjoy Saigon in a different way.

Note: 1 Singapore dollar = 16 559.3542 Vietnamese dong

Places to eat in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):

Com Nieu Sai Gon (6 Tu Xuong Street ward 7 District 3, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 3932 6388) is probably the most famous restaurant in Vietnam because of Anthony Bourdain’s recommendation. We had the Vietnamese Pancakes, Springroll, and their famous Clay Pot Rice. The food while good, was not amazing. Prices range between VND80k to VND130k for a main dish.

One interesting thing that I noticed in Vietnam was the absence of McDonald’s. So if you are craving for a burger, check out Black Cat Restaurant (13 Phan Vat Dat, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). They have a wide variety of burgers on the menu ranging from VND115k to VND185k. Besides burgers, they also have all day breakfast and sandwiches that are reasonably-priced.

Just down the road from Black Cat, is Todam Korean Restaurant (Phan Vat Dat, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), a place frequented by Koreans – certainly a good sign.

I was told to go to Al Fresco (27 Dong Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, +84 8 3823 8424) for the Best Baby Back Ribs in Ho Chi Minh City. And I’m happy to say that it’s really quite good.

The medium portion of the famous ribs comes with 5-6 pieces and it costs VND335k. The other main courses are much cheaper: you can get a Chicken Corden Bleu for VND185k, and a Spaghetti Seafood is only VND150k.

One of the best hidden finds in Saigon, Le Jardin (31 Thai Van Lung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 3825 8465) is a lovely French restaurant that serves good food at affordable prices. We almost missed it as we were walking along Thai Van Lung – a street lined with restaurants.

The al fresco garden terrace is a lovely place to enjoy your meal, while sipping a glass of wine. Main courses like steak are available for VND140-160k, and there are also fish like Tuna Steak VND120k and Sole & Salmon VND140k on the menu.

I’d highly recommend that you go there for a meal. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

Just directly opposite Le Jardin, Le Bouchon De Saigon (40 Thai Van Lung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) is a French Brasserie that is worth checking out if you want more French Food.

Since we are talking about French Food, another restaurant that you can try is L’entete (139 Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 3821 2049) near the Art Museum. Like Le Buchon De Saigon, prices are slightly steeper. Starters like French onion soup is VND120k, while you can get a Foie Gras Terrine at VND360k. They serve main courses like Duck a l’orange at VND300k, and beef tartare at VND280k.

If you find yourself venturing to District 3, do check out Stix Restaurant (15 Le Qui Don Street District 3, Ho Chi Minh City +84 2224 1781) – a gorgeous seafood restaurant.

And of course, you can’t go to Vietnam without having Pho.

Pho 24 (various locations) probably doesn’t have the best pho in Vietnam, but it provides you with a nice and clean environment to slurp up a bowl of delicious pho. Moreover, there’s no culture shock as there is a simple menu which makes it very easy for overseas visitors.

There’s also Pho 2000, which became famous after former U.S President Bill Clinton patronised it.

While on our way to Le Jardin, we stumbled upon Pacey Cupcakes (53G Nguyen Du, Ben Nhge Ward District 1 Tel: 08 38 233 223) – a cutesy cupcake cafe. The good thing is they provide free wifi, so if you are tired after a day of walking, go there hang out and use the free wifi to check your twitter and facebook accounts.

Near to the famous Ban Thamh Market is Line Journee (234 Le Thanh Ton D1 Tel: 08 382 777 23), a French patisserie where you can get macarons, lemon tart and creme brulee. The desserts are not fantastic, but good enough to satisfy your sugar craving.

Besides Line Journee, you can also try La Doree (216 Ly Tu Trong and 65 Pasteur District 1, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 3822 1718). Their cakes were pretty decent and you can get sweets like Pain Au Chocolat, Macarons, Eclairs and other French desserts.

We also dropped by Sushi restaurant Tokyo Deli (24 Le Thanh Ton Street D1 5404 2244) for dinner. The food was average, but for the price, I’m not complaining. You can get a Salmon Sushi for VND90k, and Maki roll for VND42k.

Cafe de L’uisine (151 Dong Khoi District 1, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 6674 3565) is a charming space that reminds me of PS Cafe. So if you are in Ho Chi Minh, do go there for a break.

One of the hippest restaurants in Saigon, Windows Cafe (12 Alexandre De Rhodes, District 1, Vietnam +84 8 3823 8408) is located opposite the entry to reunification palace. While the uber-chic restaurant/bar has a wide menu serving food like Pizza and Pastas from VND 75-85k and mains from VND 100-120k, it strikes me more as a cool watering hole. Definitely the place to go if you want to chill out and have some drinks.

Just across the road from Reunification Palace is Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), a pretty restaurant housed within an old French villa. It has nice ambience, but the food is average, and slightly more expensive.

Another cool restaurant in the area is Nha Hang Ngon (160 Pastel Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 3827 7136). Prices range from VND50k for a simple Vermicilli in soup to VND200k for the more elaborated main courses.

Places to go in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):

Ben Thanh market is probably one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. You can find almost everything there, but be warned, bargaining is required. My suggestion is to go there and have a look, if you have lots of food products that you want to buy, head to Binh Tay Market – the local distribution centre – and you can easily get the same product for 30-40% cheaper.

Do note that the journey from city to Binh Tay Market is around 20 minutes, and it can be a little overwhelming as there are many locals getting their goods from the sellers there.

Saigon Square is another popular place in Ho Chi Minh City. It is an air-conditioned market that sells clothes, again, bargaining is required.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Opera House

Places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):

There are quite a few good 5 Star Hotels in Saigon (for about USD$120-170/night) like Park Hyatt, Rex Hotel, and Caravelle Hotel, while you can also get a decent 4 star hotel like Palace Hotel or Oscar Saigon is around USD$80-100/night.

I hope that this Travel Guide to Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) will be useful when you visit the city, I have another post on 10 Things to eat in Saigon coming up next, so look out for it!