“Vietnam is a place where you can find the most incredible food on a plastic stool, surrounded by the chaos of a thousand motorbikes.” —Anthony Bourdain
The best phrase to learn when visiting Vietnam is Cảm ơn — Thank you. From the moment you land in Ho Chi Minh City, you feel welcome. After checking into your hotel and sampling your first, but certainly not last, cup of Vietnamese coffee, you are surrounded by friendly staff who are always glad to feed you, drive you, and greet you with a big Xin chào! You also better be prepared to thank the culinary geniuses all over the city preparing unforgettable meals like hefty bowls of Pho and other delish street food.
Author Viet Thanh Nguyen sums up the friendly feeling that his native country offers travelers, “Nothing is ever so expensive as what is offered for free — and in Vietnam, that generosity is in the eyes, the gestures, and the willingness to share your world.” And sharing their world is the key to making a visit to Vietnam so memorable. There is much to see, taste, and experience. To get a sampling — an appetizer if you will — let’s check out one of her major cities — Ho Chi Minh City.
In the City
Once known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is home to more than 14 million people — the largest city in the country. And it’s going to feel like you are dodging at least that many motorbikes and taxis whizzing around the city day and night. New Jersey Lifestyle’s own Nick Valinote survived the organized chaos on a recent visit — loving every minute. “First thing you notice is the traffic — motorbikes everywhere you turn! Cars, people, and bikes weaving in and out. After a bit of maneuvering, we were all able to cross through a sea of cars together — there’s safety in numbers.”
Once you get your feel for the city, start exploring the different types of architecture that define the city’s history. Whether on a walking tour or motorbike (if you dare), visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, and the Reunification Palace to see French Colonial influence. Vietnam War history buffs will no doubt want to take in the military equipment displayed at the War Remnants Museum. In addition, the 124 miles of Cu Chi Tunnels offer a unique experience, as in actually crawling through tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the war. For a more modern feel, head up to the 49th floor of the Bitexco Tower for spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline, its rivers, and landmarks.
Ready for shopping? The Ben Thanh Market offers 1,500 booths selling just about anything you can think of — and then some. From local foods and crafts to traditional conical hats and souvenirs — all under one roof. For more high-end shopping, continue on to Dong Khoi Street for some chic cafes and opportunities to purchase designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Rolex — at full price!
Outside the City
After the hustle and bustle of the city, a river boat ride on the Mekong Delta River offers a serene and different experience. On the two-hour scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho, you drive by endless rice paddy fields that give you a true feel of the Vietnamese countryside and its people. Once in My Tho, your river journey begins. The motorboat cruise winds along the river as you pass by small islands full of rich and colorful flora, plantations, bee farms, and orchards.
Another way to experience the Mekong Delta is by Sampan — a flat-bottomed boat with an open wooden hull and covered with a bamboo roof. It’s quite an experience to cruise the river in hand-rowed sampans navigating narrow tributaries where motorboats cannot reach. For an overnight luxury cruise, Song Xanh Sampan offers multi-day private cabin trips visiting rural towns and floating markets.
City Food
Although you can find many types of food in Ho Chi Minh City, from Italian to Indian, you may want to concentrate on local cuisine. And, in many cases, street food is the way to go. Based on his recent trip to Vietnam, Gary Gilbert, a seeker of out-of-the-ordinary travel, sums up the delicious food vibe he experienced: “My favorites were the street food vendors and the inexpensive restaurants. We ordered family style, and it was a total feeding frenzy. Dishes, with plenty of dips and sauces, kept coming to the table to be eaten as quickly as they arrived. And the prices were crazy-crazy low.”
Some familiar and must-sample options include Cơm tấm — broken rice usually served with grilled pork, fried egg, and pickled vegetables topped with a sweet fish sauce. Bánh mì, another popular street food, is Vietnam’s version of a baguette sandwich. The bread is light but crispy on the outside and layered with pork or chicken, radish, and carrots. To really bring out the flavor, go bold and drizzle with hot chili sauce! Last, but certainly not least, a steaming bowl of Phở — noodle soup — is probably one of Vietnam’s most popular meals.
Note: See Pho-Nominally Yummy under "Dining" for local Pho options in the area.
Fun Tip: Definitely sign up for a Cyclo tour of the city. Basically, it’s a tricycle with a seat in the front, and the “driver” pedals behind - Vietnam’s version of a rickshaw. Yes, it’s a touristy thing to do, but that’s the beauty of being a tourist!
