Travel Tips Ho Chi Minh City

Bui Vien Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Restaurants

VIETNAMESE RESTAURANTS

Bánh Mì Bà Huynh (Madam Win)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/awvkswyP2j47aba78?g_st=iw
Highly recommend trying the Bánh Mì (Vietnamese sandwich) at this place, but sometimes be prepared for long lines during peak times. Not far from Pham Ngu Lao Street and Bui Vien Street.

Bánh Mì Chim Chạy
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BKZXgXkSD4ArCgR38?g_st=iw
Bánh Mì is not big, only two options: pork or chicken. Near Tao Đàn park.

Quán chay Sala
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hewvzBF6Ajqj9sUR8?g_st=iw
Vegetarian Vietnamese food. Near Tao Đàn park.

Vị Quê Kitchen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NBYxKyVQbtc6iGUt7
Vegan restaurant

Pho Vietnam
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KhbYE2E5Y2BtPJJbA
Fresh pho noodles are cooked at this restaurant and served in rock bowls to keep the pho hot longer. It was selected by Michelin in 2023 and is located near Ben Thanh Market.

Cơm Tấm Mộc
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S6WsQeKBDJhotYMQA
Here you can try broken rice, a special midnight street food of Saigon.

Ben Nghe Street Food
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3XJRjWa2pMTZEtmk6
At this food court near the Independence Palace, you can choose from a range of dishes from Vietnam and other countries.

Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2VHUu2YxD6LxQB737
The menu, with its already famous spring rolls, noodle salads and crunchy rice bowls features simple, wholesome, yet incredibly flavourful food prepared with the best and freshest of ingredients. Think 100% local, envision “redesigned” home cooking, all with Vietnamese ingredients only.

Ngon Restaurant
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uLawX7fXn5HwGayp6
A restaurant near the Independence Palace where you can try cuisine from three regions of Vietnam.

Mặn Mòi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WzrxK5wqZDAZ4euXA
Stylish restaurant with unique architecture for Vietnamese food.

Anan Saigon
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E5WXhcKhcRtDox4v9
It is one of the restaurants selected by Michelin in 2023, it’s a 10-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market

The Gangs
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4QD6Rk5am1DZHQav7
BBQ dishes & Vietnamese classics served in a rollicking, open-air beer garden with music.

Vietnam House Restaurant
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4rBZsN3BGymFnZg9
Vietnam House, owned by the celebrated Chef Luke Nguyen. Head to the silk stores on the same street for some shopping after your meal.

Quan Bui – Original
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ruAgVE3oDCxr23JV8
Quan Bui restaurant group serves fresh, healthy, and authentic dishes of Vietnam. Their restaurants aim to satisfy the needs of not only Vietnamese who want to enjoy daily authentic home cooked food, but also foreigners who want to explore Vietnamese culture

Bánh khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E8X9aqkBw3VZvSuo9?g_st=iw
This restaurant features classic Southern Vietnamese dishes such as Bánh Xèo (pancake) and Bánh khọt, a famous dish from Vung Tau city. Many other restaurants in this area.

Bánh Xèo 46A
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7x78bK4Tktv2RtdP6
Bánh Xèo is cooked in a wood oven in the traditional way. 46A Dinh Cong Trang’s Bánh Xèo is one of the oldest and most famous in Saigon. The place is very popular with international tourists. When you visit here, you can combine it with visiting the Pink Church and Tan Dinh Market.

Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền (Ba Ghiền Broken Rice)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TsFGBeeaWjC186uy8?g_st=iw
Ba Ghiền Broken Rice has been selling for almost 30 years and is known as the place with the biggest pork chop in Saigon.

Bep Vo Kitchen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/B1CdJoCJdxFxrpAM8
In District 2’s quiet area, you’ll find a great place to try Vietnamese food among many Western restaurants.

Ho Thi Ky Food Street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EYoUjmnx6E2XbyC49
The food here ranges from fried octopus tentacles on a stick to banana pancakes and everything in between. Spring rolls, squid jerky, octopus balls and just about anything you can imagine that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer. Most vendors have their own specialty, and the variety comes from the seemingly endless number of different vendors.

OTHER ASIAN CUISINES

Saigon Japan Town
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcLRZAyMjDGuX2on7
Saigon Japan Town, located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, is a miniature slice of Japan. Spanning less than 2 kilometers, it lies at the bustling crossroads of Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung streets. Here you can find many Japanese restaurants and other cuisines in the nearby streets.

Danbo Ramen (Thái Văn Lung branch)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgEQ75w3srN4ry5V6
This restaurant serves ramen and Japanese rice dishes in the Japan Town of Saigon. Many Japanese office workers stop by here after work.

Spice Temple Saigon Centre
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yFbbpKDSMcSAGBci8
Authentic Thai restaurant at the Saigon Centre shopping mall.

Lesung Authentic Malaysian Cuisine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ctmo2dadpfyEk7Bh8

Mkitchen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wVqGzMiKg9sQiVpX9
Malay and Singaporean cuisine

Cow Mee Inn – Taiwan Beef Noodles
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mnjFAEGpmmSgxXEx7
Here you can taste the famous Taiwanese Beef Noodles (no MSG).

WESTERN RESTAURANTS

Cocotte
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HyMwjSArLthLpGTh8
Affordable home-style French food and wine.

The Melbourne Café
https://maps.app.goo.gl/upXkx4tmJtpbYqNo9
Great for brunch.

Godmother Bake & Brunch
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XLJS6CzRoZQLJSMs7
A good place for brunch in central Ho Chi Minh City.

Pizza 4P’s (Hai Ba Trung branch)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kxCdD1jc4dyRnkYE7
With several branches in Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to reserve a table in advance at this very popular pizzeria. This branch of the restaurant is only a 5-minute walk from Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Ola Hale – Restaurant & Bar
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ydYFzB5F7hzvXaKh9

C’est La Vie Restaurant
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cfffcp5esvN7hGn18
C’est la Vie Restaurant is an all-day-dining restaurant elaborating rustic provincial French cuisine with traditional Vietnamese touches – pure, exquisite, and flavorsome. Its inspiration drawn from the love-filled kitchen of devoted grandmas in folk stories brings refined yet hearty meals to diners. The restaurant features menus changing regularly to highlight the best seasonal ingredients, an extensive wine list, and generous plates – enough to be an ideal gathering place for family and friends on your dining list.

Gringo Tacos y Cantina
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VT73DXVN8zQzGJmU8
Mexican food is available in a small restaurant not too far from District 1, near pubs in Binh Thanh District.

Pendolasco
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MVHENTtYTJxJz8So7
Authentic Italian restaurant in quiet district 2 where most expats live.

WKND
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XSM9HaQT2ERuWNNU9
Brunch restaurant in the laid-back district 2.

L’Herbanyste
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uSur9RVfr4etujKH8
Located in the quiet alley of District 2, you can enjoy vegetarian and vegan food in a villa next to the pool.

Gluten-free Gourmet/Silvi Coffee Roasters
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mvQmSmsxjuNvRSoi6
Located in an alley in District 2, this restaurant exclusively serves gluten-free meals such as bagels and pizzas. If you lile quiet, less crowded places with no tourists, this is a recommended spot.

BAIETA Restaurant Saigon Thao Dien
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4R139sWgaUdQN6oE8
A spot by the Saigon River where you can enjoy Western cuisine and watch the sunset, with a view of Landmark81 illuminated at night.

CLAY – Cocktails & Cuisine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Pg3hm2Kj4JqLMEc7
Upmarket restaurant and bar at the Saigon River. A place where celebrating and dining all seamlessly merge into one unique experience.

The Deck Saigon
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MFvarJzmoozsSphZ9
Sophisticated Asian fusion cuisine in a modern restaurant & cocktail bar on the riverfront.

Coastal Saigon
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NZg27v5UxWz5KFbA7
Coastal is a contemporary coastal cuisine focused restaurant on the Saigon River that prioritizes quality, atmosphere, and community. Gardens, flowers, the wind, the views, the water, and natural materials—make Coastal a refreshing destination—and one for the senses. The Coastal menu highlights the sea and the land leveraging exceptional products with a menu that aims to inspire, time and time again.

Terraviva Pizza & Italian Cuisine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yZWEAT99GFr7xqoN6
Authentic Italian restaurant in quiet district 2 where most expats live.

Red&Round
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YXkEZkiVLGWxF4rKA
In Phu My Hung, also known as Korean Town in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find an Italian restaurant surrounded by lots of Korean dining spots.

Ho Chi Minh City Bars

Bui Vien street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGC5Ai7BEyQeMbHo9
In District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, there’s a bustling backpacker hub dubbed the “Western Street” because it attracts visitors from various nationalities. Just a short walk from Ben Thanh Market, it’s renowned for its diverse nightlife.

Banana Mama Rooftop Bar & Kitchen Saigon
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4MBcME5mCWeXpPxJ6
Banana Mama Rooftop Bar is somewhat of a hidden gem, located on the 10th floor of the WMC Tower in District 1. This tropical and beach-style rooftop oasis is well worth a visit.

Above bar
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aLNrrdvX8F4c6TDY9
Located on the 19th floor of the modern Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint, Above is a chic and modern rooftop bar with a fabulous 360-degree view of the Saigon skyline.

Summer Experiment
https://maps.app.goo.gl/izApneQSopAeRYVd6
Cocktail bar in an old apartment building in District 1, right behind Ben Thanh market.

Social Club Rooftop Bar
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BM2fimQ8GSYA6XNq9
Rooftop bar in downtown Saigon, perched atop a luxurious 5-star hotel.

Rex Hotel Garden Bar
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bRaJsiPULgq2gRXPA
Rooftop bar of the historic Rex Hotel overlooking Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.

The Myst Dong Khoi (Rooty Bar)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7PH5g4PaUwrLAUxQ8
Located on the 15th floor of The Myst Dong Khoi hotel with a 24m long infinity pool, Rooty Bar owns a mysterious and unique space, giving you a sense of privacy and isolation when drinking your favorite cocktail and see the city in front of your eyes.

Khoai (Nông Trại Khoai)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/updKwqcZREdnrrPb8
Cozy bar surrounded by many small pubs, all set up like terrace bars.

Le Café des Stagiaires – Saigon
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y4eJusygwcgeG7HcA
A rooftop bar by the Saigon River where you can enjoy drinks and watch the sunset, with a view of Landmark 81 illuminated at night.

Ho Chi Minh City Coffee Shops

Cà phê Sài Gòn Ơi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X66CNjPWyZpXSH9g8
Located at the Cafe Apartments, a building on 42 Nguyen Hue Street it is arguably the most well-known of these hidden apartment block cafes. It is collectively called The Cafe Apartments and houses eight or nine floors of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and cafes. The building stands out not just because of all the colorful signs on its facade, but it seems to be the only non-modern building along Nguyen Hue walking street. It looks even cooler at night with each of those apartment blocks lit up in different colored lights.

The Hummingbird Café & Roastery
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3KJSJwa6HQHqgNux6
Hummingbird opened its doors in 2019, and after a brief change of locations, it has settled into its current spot. Hummingbird is led by Tran Hoa, a seasoned roaster, CQI Q Grader, and a distinguished judge at the Vietnam National Barista Competition for several years. Tran Hoa is extremely serious about coffee quality, and that attitude extends to the design of his cafe. With the new space, the design is intentionally minimal to direct all attention to the star of the show—the coffee.

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters- The Opera House
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SFGtCgnr8JbpBMm36
This fancy cafe boasts an aesthetic that truly fits its name. It was designed around the concept of an opera house, featuring a central bar that mimics a grand stage, where baristas perform under illuminated spotlights, lending an air of theatricality to the whole experience. Minimalism runs deep in the brand’s design, maintaining the signature Bosgaurus touch—transparent frameless glass walls and a flybar housing a Synesso MVP Hydra and Mahlkönig grinders. It’s a cafe that truly sparkles.

SOKO Cake Bake & Brunch
https://maps.app.goo.gl/siqNoAcJv24LV4kv6
This café located near Ben Thanh market has many kinds of croissants to serve pastry lovers.

In’Joy Café & Bake
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TdNqaykfuCTvkLmd9
Coffee and cakes made from rice flour (gluten-free). Near Tao Dan Park and the War Museum.

Aramour Coffee Roasters Thao Dien
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5YKzt6FdeQBuVdwU6
This café in District 2 has a small, beautiful garden area.

Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing

Bui Vien Walking Street (Phố đi bộ Bùi Viện)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QqSLjGYcQmtdG4p7A
Bui Vien Street is known as the “Western Street” (Pho Tay) because of its Western culture-oriented features. This street is always crowded with backpackers who come here to have fun, try local cuisines, and explore new places during their trip to Saigon. Recommended to visit at night.

Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6UyCj1PJAwjQ9ovK6
Well-known standby for handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing & other goods along with local eats.

Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GyRLxXC1X4uwa6bHA
Located in Central District 1, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the cultural hub of Ho Chi Minh city. Home to unique culinary delights, lively bars and exciting entertainment venues, it’s the perfect destination for nightlife lovers.

Saigon Waterbus
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3H3fj76DjqpNo8j77
The Saigon Waterbus should be near the top of every visitor’s (and, for that matter, expat’s) itinerary for Ho Chi Minh City. As a way of seeing the city’s increasingly impressive skyline, of experiencing its many different neighbourhoods, and for sheer value for money, the Saigon Waterbus is pretty much unbeatable. And yet, the Saigon Waterbus doesn’t receive nearly as much attention in the travel media as it deserves. Jumping on and off the Saigon Waterbus should be right up there with the most popular attractions in the city.

Saigon Central Post Office (Bưu điện trung tâm Sài Gòn)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uFsAEuMEgyxhbzEk9
Monumental central post office, completed in 1891, with a vaulted main hall & period finishes.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon (Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JL5NDxyMzsh7yrxu6
1880s Catholic cathedral built with French bricks & featuring 58m-tall Romanesque bell towers.

Saigon Japan Town (Phố Nhật Sài Gòn)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcLRZAyMjDGuX2on7
Saigon Japan Town, located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, is a miniature slice of Japan. Spanning less than 2 kilometers, it lies at the bustling crossroads of Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung streets. The neighborhood is often called “Little Japan” because it beautifully showcases Japanese architecture, authentic cuisine, and various entertainment options. It is also home to over 300 Japanese residents, which helps preserve its cultural charm. Coming here, you will notice the area’s distinctive features right away, from its clean and peaceful streets to the Japanese-inspired signboards, lighting, and music. These touches create the feeling of stepping into a Japanese district, reminiscent of Tokyo or Kyoto. With its rapid growth, Saigon Japan Town has become a favorite destination for young people and anyone who loves Japanese culture.

Thảo Điền (District 2)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gKEN6PzYs1q2bG4TA
Located not too far from the city center, Thao Dien does not exhibit the hurl-burly pace of Saigonese life, but a distinctively chilled-out vibe of Western countryside. Boasting various restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and other entertaining spots, the neighborhood has become most-wanted for any expat families who choose to settle down in the southern metropolitan. You will find the highest density of restaurants and bars around Xuân Thủy street.

Landmark 81
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Jr6ije5SB7cg7LBA
Landmark 81 holds the position of the tallest building in Vietnam, the second tallest building in Southeast Asia, as well as the seventeenth tallest building in the world overall. You can enjoy the views over the city from the sky deck on floors 79-81.