Saigon secrets

It takes years to discover a city’s secrets but sadly most visitors to Ho Chi Minh City only have a few days to soak up the sights, sounds and smells. Let us help you experience some of the best the city has to offer with our handy tips on Saigon secrets.

Where to shop and what to buy
Ben Than Market will give you a feel for the pulse of the city and Ho Chi Minh shopping, and the best time to experience it is early in the morning. This is a great place to pick up Vietnamese coffee, and the stall owners will happily let you sample their produce served with a healthy dose of condensed milk. Ladies will likely hyperventilate at the endless offerings of handbags and shoes—men you’ve been warned.

Where and what to eat
For value for money, you can’t beat the street food in Saigon. Don’t miss trying a bowl of pho, a noodle dish that can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere, at any hour. If you’re missing the taste of home, a number of French-inspired bakeries serving pastries dot the city, but better recommended is the city’s seafood, especially its crab and shrimp. For those who struggle to get their behinds on those tiny plastic chairs, a range of top-notch yet affordable Ho Chi Minh restaurants are on hand, with Com Nieu Sai Gon being one of our favourites.

Where to splurge
The Rex Hotel has a swanky rooftop bar that’s worth a shot or you could check in to the Majestic or the more down-to-earth Continental. If you’d rather spend your Uncle Ho’s on partying, get yourself to Q Bar Saigon for a delicious—albeit expensive—cocktail. But the great thing about most Saigon bars is that they don’t require you to splurge.