Hustling in Ho Chi Minh City.
Otherwise known as Saigon, the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam is a traveling experience like no other.
Unknown street food, raging nightlife and a close death call every time you try to cross a road can make the place rather intimidating for a first time visit. Fortunately, I'm about to share the personal travel advice I’d wish I’d known prior to my two visits to the city.
Let me know which of my top five listed hidden gems in and around Ho Chi Minh you enjoyed discovering for yourself.
1. Vietnamese eats at Bep Mein: Trust that the few extra minutes it may take you to find this spot tucked down a small alleyway will be well worth it. Located near popular Ben Thanh markets, the rustic eatery consists of only a few benches and tables, being a great option if you’re wanting to experience true authentic Vietnamese flavours and take a courageous step to overcome your fear of eating on the streets. Whilst portions aren’t huge, the food is fresh and cooked well. I’d recommend ordering the fragrant coconut rice and slow cooked pork.
Expect to pay around $5-6 per dish.
Bep Mein: 136/9 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
11am - 11pm, Monday - Sunday
http://www.bepmein.com
2. Hủ tíu Nam Vang Thành Đạt Restaurant: Expect a true street-food experience when you visit what looks like a less than hygienic little restaurant. OH&S don’t let places like this exist in Australia. There’s no foreigners, there’s no English and there’s definitely no menu.
Upon inviting yourself in and nabbing a table amongst the local regulars, you’ll be asked in broken English if you want it dry or wet. Understandably I had to try both and recommend going for the wet option.
We’re talking about soup of course so please get your immature mind back on task please.
What was in the dish exactly I can’t be sure. I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best. However I am certain that there were juicy prawns, tender meat and fresh noodle. Don’t be fearful about what the place looks like, I ate there four times and didn’t die.
Hủ tíu Nam Vang Thành Đạt: 25 Cô Bắc, Phường Cầu Ông Lãnh, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
$2.50 for a dish.
Open 24 hours, Monday - Sunday
2. Cu Chi Tunnels: There are two parts of the tunnel system currently open to the public, Ben Dinh (closer to the city at around 50km) or Ben Duoc (around 70km from the city). Take my advice and choose the less touristy Ben Duoc rural experience.
The cramped conditions during my first hotel arranged tour several years ago were almost as torturous as the booby traps created during the war. Frustratingly common for tourists, you’ll often not be made aware of the three hour long, non-airconditioned journey which sees you lured into spending half your day picking up other tour members from their hotels, squished onto a bus with some fifty others and forced to stop and walk through two tourist gift shops. All in the hope that you’ll be the ‘chosen one’ lucky enough to be selected to scurry through a single 10 metre tunnel.
A half day disappointment to say the least.
Determined this time round to not to fall victim again, I opted away from the mass tourist groups and booked a private tour. I already knew the slight additional cost for the day was worth it when I walked out of my hotel at 7:30am in the morning and was ushered into an air conditioned, private modern car. Better yet, my only stop during the 1.5 hours was at a local breakfast stall in the countryside where my driver showed me his favourite hidden pho soup hotspot. I even provided amusement for the locals, mistaking the toothpick holder for the salt shaker….
I was quickly met at the tunnels with a guide whose grandfather had been tragically killed during the war and soon became captivated with stories of what life was like underground. The greatest part of the day was being able to privately explore over twelve tunnels, crawling on all fours and stepping foot inside the unbelievable hospital rooms, bunkers and kitchens used during those ten years of hiding.
Despite sketchy email communication, I’d highly recommend using Jason Super Star Services. Payment for the Ben Duoc half day tour (7:30am to 1:30pm) was $80 US for two persons. This included return private car transfer, an english speaking guide, private tunnel tour for those travelling with you and a traditional snack with tea at the tunnels.
Jason Super Star Services:
Email: jasontripadvisor@yahoo.com
http:/jasonsuperstarservices.com
Additional Notes:
You will be required to pay an extra ~$6 AUD entrance fee upon arrival to the tunnels.
You can also choose to use the shooting range if you want to fire a real gun. A round of ten bullets is close to $30 AUD but personally it was overpriced.
No dress code is required although I’d suggest wearing runners and clothes you are happy to get down and dirty in.
3. Rico Taco: I feel slightly embarrassed to be recommending a visit to a Mexican restaurant in a Vietnam but that should say something about how amazing the food is at Rico Taco. I chose to visit this eatery twice during my four night stay in Saigon, finding myself seduced at the thought of their hand-made tortillas and soft shelled tacos. Stop by and enjoy happy hour cocktails between 3—7pm before facing the challenging task of selecting burrito fillings. Continue the nights celebrations and walk across to one of the many hip bars which brings the neighbourhood to life at night.
For western food, you can expect to pay western prices with the average dish at Ricos costing around $9-12. The complimentary sombrero they offer you to wear quickly amends any harsh feelings however. I recommend ordering the sizzling chicken fajitas, the beef and black bean burrito and the chicken and sausage quesadilla. Oh and don’t forget the entree of corn chips with fresh guacamole.
Rico Taco: 29 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3
11am - 11pm, Monday - Sunday
http://www.ricotacosaigon.com
4. Your best studio apartment: Located a short four minutes drive from Ho Chi Minh’s domestic and international airport, the air-conditioned apartment is perfect to stay at if you’re arriving late at night or have an early departure flight. The booking host allowed for a seamless check-in, so much so that I didn’t ever meet her. Communication occurred completely through booking.com, with directions and an electronic code granting entry immediately upon arrival.
The quiet apartment block hosts an outdoor infinity pool, modern gym, wifi and also has a mini mart and spa downstairs. Vast local dining and food options are also several minutes walking distance.
Your Best Studio Apartment: 128 Hồng Hà, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Price: $65 per night.
http://yourbeststudioapartment.com
