Con Dao is two islands occupying the same stretch of sea. One is a small archipelago of forested peaks and empty beaches an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, with coral reefs, nesting sea turtles and a road along the coast that most visitors describe as the most beautiful drive in Vietnam. The other…
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…
In this guide: How Far Is Saigon Airport from the City Center? How to Get from Saigon Airport to Saigon City Center Is There a Metro or Train to Saigon Airport? 5 Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go Unwind at La Siesta Premium Saigon Central Frequently Asked Questions Ready to Arrive Like a…
At ten o’clock on a Saturday night, Bui Vien Street is four hundred metres of competing sound systems, plastic stools spreading halfway across the road, neon on every facade, and several thousand people who have decided that this is the correct way to spend an evening. It is the loudest place in Vietnam, and visitors…
Saigon does not really sleep, it just changes shifts. When the offices empty and the day markets close, a second city wakes up: plastic stools spill onto the pavement, charcoal grills glow and pots of broth bubble for a crowd that has no plans to go home. For night owls, shift workers and anyone craving…
Every Vietnamese table has something on it that is fried, something that is grilled, something in a broth, and then one plate that is none of those: a row of translucent white cylinders with green herbs and pink shrimp showing through the wrapper. That is goi cuon, and it is the lightest thing in Vietnamese…
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…
Saigon bakery scene has quietly become one of the most exciting corners of the city’s food culture. Tucked behind unassuming shopfronts and up narrow staircases, a new generation of pastry chefs, many trained in Melbourne, Paris, or Tokyo, are turning out entremets, laminated pastries, and inventive cakes that rival anything found in a major international…
If there is one snack that captures the spirit of Saigon street food in a single bite, it is com chay Saigon, Vietnam’s beloved crispy rice. Golden, crackling, and piled with savory toppings, this dish has quietly become one of the most photographed and most eaten treats in Ho Chi Minh City. For anyone building…
