Off the beaten track Saigon
Saigon always astonishes its locals with hidden gems that stands the test of time. It's fun to explore the city a little bit off the beaten track to find these diamonds in the rough.
Though growing up in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the city never fails to amaze me by how fast it grows and changes. Though the global food chains started to leave some of commercial foot prints, the city always astonishes its locals with hidden gems that stands the test of time. It's fun to explore the city a little bit off the beaten track to find these diamonds in the rough. And if you don't have much time, here a few to get you started
Secret Garden
This Vietnamese restaurant is a personal favorite of mine and is the epitome of authentic Vietnamese dining. As implied by the name, this isn't the easiest restaurant to reach. Hidden in the deep alley way of a run down complex on 158 Pasteur Street, you have to walk up 5 floors to reach this cosy restaurant. However, Secret garden in definitely lives up to its name and when you see the view from the dining area it makes it worth the effort. Its traditional Vietnamese decoration takes you on a journey to rural Vietnam, and makes you forget you are in the biggest city in Vietnam for a while.
The popular traditional foods on offer give you a taste of genuine Vietnamese cuisine, and although I have been to the Secret Garden many times, I can’t leave it without trying the irresistible “Dot bi Xao Bo” (Stir fried beef and spinach). Another special thing about restaurant is the from the dining area you can see the spot where the last American helicopter fled Saigon during Vietnam war. The photo of this event shows one of the most iconic moments of the Vietnamese war.
How to get there:
Take the taxi to 158 Pasteur Street (next to Pho 24 food store). Try and find the alleyway which should have a sign for the Secret Garden in the entrance. Walk all the way past the bike parking slots and look to the left where a second sign will direct you to the restaurant.
Pho Hoa Pasteur
Pho is arguably the most popular Vietnamese dish around, and if you are looking for a place to enjoy this traditional dish, then look no further. This restaurant specialises in pho and has served 3 generations of my family from my grandad to me. Standing at the same place for at least 50 years, Pho Hoa Pasteur street is well known by the locals as one of the best in town. Locals come to this restaurant often as it is renowned for its generous pho portion sizes, tender beef and soup sweetness. I normally order a large coconut to eat with the soup, to counteract the effects of the 'Saigon scovilles'.
How to get there
Take a taxi to 158 Pasteur Street or simply ask the driver to take you to Pho Hoa Pasteur and they know exactly where to go.
The Cafe Apartment
You can't mention Saigon without mentioning its coffee culture. Drinking coffee and spending hours hanging out at coffees shops is in the blood of Saigonese. As there are many coffee shops opening everyday, coffee shops in Saigon compete with each other on the uniqueness of their concept and their drinks menu. However, none of them can compete the uniqueness of the cafe apartment on Ly Tu Trong Street. This run down five story building is not so much of the beaten tracks due to its central location, but has lots to offer in terms of hidden gems. This apartment block boasts a number of art gallery, coffee shops and small fashion boutiques all with a unique theme. Each small shop trying to prove its individuality has resulted in some very quirky and fun shops that allow for a great time if you are browsing the 'chocolate box' of independent coffee shops. Two coffee shops that really caught my attention were the Loft Coffee with its gothic style and Cong Cafe (Viet Cong style coffee) with the staff dressed up in guerilla outfits, both of thesse can be found on the 2nd floor.
How to get there
The building is on 26 Ly Tu Trong, overlooking down to Dong Khoi and Ly Tu Trong Street.
ID coffee
ID Coffee is inconspicuously found in an apartment building behind Ben Thanh market, a very tranquil and peaceful place for a nice drink and conversation. Although it is found right at the heart of Saigon's tourist hub the majority of the crowd here is made up of locals. You would not know you were so close to the hustle and bustle of Ben Thanh Market unless someone told you.
The display in this coffee shop is made up of artistic and vintage decor with Gramophone records, typewriters which were around in Saigon during the Vietnam war. There is a balcony facing the backstreets of the Ben Thanh district where you can watch how the local people below go about their lives. The delicious menu caters to both Vietnamese and Western tastes, with my personal favourite meal being the “Bun Thit Nuong” Grill pork vermicelli and iD Yogurt.
How to get there
34 Thu Khoa Huan (a few minutes walk from the back of Ben Thanh market)
Acoustics bars
I love live music. I discovered the Acoustic Bar through word of mouth and decided to check it out, as I heard it hosted the best live music in town. Hidden in an alley way in 6E Ngo Thoi Nhiem, this is the locals favourite open mic bar. All the local talents and guest singers looking to make a name for themselves are sent on a small stage to perform in a small but cosy atmosphere. From the blind rock stars to Americans singing in fluent Vietnamese, Acoustics Bar is the place where everyone comes together and enjoy music, no matter where you come from. It opens at 7.30 and although the live music doesn't start until 9.30, if you come here on the weekends it may be a good idea to make sure you come early, as they tend to run of of seats and you might end up standing.
How to get there
Take a taxi to 6E Ngo Thoi Nhiem and walk all the way down the alley. The bar is at the end of the alley on the right hand side.
Broma
You can’t leave Saigon without experiencing one of its rooftop bars. There are many great rooftops, but from experience the most welcoming of them is Broma, with a great vibe and easy going ambiance, everyone is there to just relax and look over the incredible Saigon skyline. It's a little place tucked in a corner building on Nguyen Hue Street, and doesn't require the smart dress code of other rooftop bars in Saigon. The open rooftop overlooks a busy street below, where a lot of people turn up every night, so its a great spot if you enjoy a bit of people watching. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and the lights around Saigon come alive one by one. If you are looking for a nice place for a date that wont burn through your wallet then this is the place for you.
How to get there
The bar is on the top floor 41 Nguyen Hue.