If there is one dish that captures the everyday food culture of Saigon, it is com tam, or Vietnamese broken rice. Smoky grilled pork, fragrant rice, pickled vegetables and sweet fish sauce come together on one simple plate, creating a meal that is filling, affordable and deeply connected to local life. Originally associated with Southern…

Beyond the modern skyscrapers and busy streets of central Saigon lies a neighbourhood with a very different character. District 5 Ho Chi Minh city, historically associated with Cholon, is where generations of Chinese Vietnamese communities have shaped the culture, architecture and food of the city. For travellers looking for authentic Chinese food in Ho Chi…

When the heat settles over Ho Chi Minh City, few things feel more refreshing than Saigon beer. But drinking beer in Saigon is about much more than finding something cold. It is a social ritual, a reason to gather with friends and colleagues, and an essential part of the city’s lively food culture. From plastic…