Hoi An/Da Nang/Hue - To eat, drink, see & do (please share):
-------------------------------------
Eat:
-----
Madam Khanh the Banh Mi Queen (baguettes), 115 Tran Cao Van
Tam Quang Minh (rice with a variety of different dishes), 33 Ly Thai To, Hoi An
Com ga ba Buoi (rice and crispy fried chicken), 22 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An
Hu Tieu Mr. Toan (rice noodles with pork in onion and garlic stock or served dry with the broth on the side), in the alley opposite the cinema, 47-51 Phan Chau Trinh (opens 6:30pm), Hoi An
Bà Trai (Central specialities - "Nem Lụi" grilled minced pork skewered on lemongrass, "Bò Lá Lốt" - grilled beef mince wrapped in beetle but leaves, "Bún Thịt Nướng" rice noodles with grilled pork marinated in sugar and lemongrass, and lettuce/herbs), 194 Đống Đa, Đa Nẳng
Mi Quang (Central speciality: thick yellow tape worm-like noodle with chicken, fish pork or beef and a sauce and sprinkled with peanuts) many street side food shops along Nguyen Van Cu (just before you start climbing the Hai Van pass after leaving from Da Nang.
Sao biển Bé Đen (tasty and cheap seafood, steamed crab in tamarind sauce), along the main road going through Lang Co bay (search google maps)
Seafood place (unknown name) on stilts overlooking the inland waters of Lang Co Bay and hills in the background, head North on Nguyen Van from the southern most point and it's the first place on the left (you'll see a boardwalk heading out into the water to get to it), Lang Co
Drink:
------
Cabanon cafe AKA Nùa Giỏ (great coffee, chic, open fronted ground floor and balcony overlooking the Jade River - food is overpriced), near where Nguyen du meets cong nu Ngoc Hoa
Soul Kitchen Beach Bar (live music in the evenings), An Bang Beach (just outside Hoi An)
Perdu Bar (expat hangout, pool table, open until midnight), 2nd floor above the cafe (ask the cafe as there's a backdoor entrance), 29 Ngo Gia Tu, Da Nang
See:
-----
Ask for directions to one of several Hoi An tourist offices to buy tickets to its many old houses, music and dance shows, museums, pagodas, ... Search for he places on the maps and walk/cycle from your hotel
Drive the Hai Van mountain pass between Da Nang and Hue on a motorbike. If you can't ride a motorbike then hire a private car or go on a motorbike tour. Stop to have fresh coconut water on one of the bends overlooking Da Nang Bay (several shops just before heading inland over the mountain pass from Da Nang). There's also an old watch tower perched at at the top of the mountain pass. Stop at Sao biển Bé Đen in Lang Co Bay or other seafood place on Nguyen Van for tasty seafood (see food section).
Royal Palace (brought to life during the Hue festival, which happens every year on the last weekend in Apr/May), Hue
Kings tombs tour - several nice and peaceful tombs set outside the city in the forests/mountains. If you were to see only one temple then the must-see tomb is Khai Dinh's tomb (incredibly colourful mosaic interior and perched on the side of a hill overlooking forest)
An Bang beach (just outside Hoi An)
Ba Na Hills (French colonial hillside retreat: take a cable car up to the top (around VND 500k/person), where there's a gothic castle-like village resort with cobbled streets and stone buildings (run by Mercure hotel), gardens with a view of Da Nang, pagoda), 25km south-west of Da Nang. There's also a wax museum (~VND 50k) with 10-15 wax models on show (no way near as good as Madame Tussaud's in London)
See Da Nang by night - lit-up dragon bridge and Ferris wheel
Sunday, 26 June 2016
HCMC - To eat, drink, see & do V2
HCMC - To eat, drink, see & do (please share):
-------------------------------------
***WHEN USING YOUR PHONE IN PUBLIC, KEEP IT CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST, FACE AWAY FROM THE ROAD, AND USE 2 HANDS TO AVOID SNATCHING***
Useful numbers:
- Police 113
- Fire 114
- Medic 115
- International operator 110
Taxi from the airport to home: Tan Son International Airport to Hem 483, Le Van Sy, Quan 3 VNĐ 85k (including car park fee).
Taxi from the airport to the centre of District (Q) 1: Tan Son International Airport to Bùi Viện (8.5km) VNĐ 170 (including car park fee).
Free interpretation services for tourists: Call/Text +84 165 240 0255
Food:
-------
Vietnamese street food:
----------------------------
Banh Mi Que Da Nang (thin and crispy baguette with usual fillings, mobile vendor outside 29 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Lunch Lady street food stalls (Bun Bo Hue, Hu Tieu, Goi Cuon, Che), along Hoang Sa between Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Cau Thi Nghe
Hu tieu mi suon (10pm-6am), next to the tattoo parlour on the side heading South-East on Le Van Sy from the crossing with Trần Quang Dieu towards Cau Le Van Sy, Q3
Hu tieu mi, Hem 172 Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Anh Ba Bo Nhung Dam va Bo La Lot (5-9:30pm, go early), sour hotpot with beef and beetle leaf-wrapped beef meatballs), 460 Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan
Bun Dau Mam Tom (good), 202 Nguyen Trai, Q1
Com ga xoi mo (chicken and rice), 174/8 Nguyen Thien Thuat, P3, Q3 OR Su Su 53 Tu Xuong, Q3
Hem 53 Nguyen Hue food stalls (com ga, che...) (after Duxton hotel when heading towards the river on Nguyen Hue), Q1
Quan ga Anh Tu (ga nuong - not as good as Hanoi), 449 Le Quang Dinh, P5, Go Vap
MOVEDBanh Cuon and cha muc (VND 12k per big calamari piece), 347 Le Van Sy, P1, Q Tan Binh
Banh cuon nong, 6am-1pm and 4:30-10pm, 353 Le Van Sy (near the cho), Q3
Bò Tơ Tây Ninh Năm Sánh (young beef) - Phạm Hùng- C3/21T Phạm Hùng, Bình Chánh
Hog roast places, around 272 Bac Hai, P.15, Q10
Xuan Tu, Bun Cha and nem ran (binh thuong) Ha Noi, Duy Nhat So 2 Pham Van Hai (near the flyover at the end of Le Van Sy, P2, Q Tan Binh
Can Anh 2, (Cha Gio (crispy and tasty spring rolls), cha vuong (big crab spring rolls), and banh tom), 362 Nguyen Trong Tuyen (crosses with ), P1, Q. Tan Binh, 08 6293 5559 or 0916 330 033 (free delivery)
Steamed dumplings with bean sprouts (hoang thanh - pork and prawn OR suoi cao - pork), 143 Nguyen Du, Q1
Muc 280 (muc mot nang and ghe ran muoai), 280 Le Van Sy (opposite cho Nguyen Van Troi, near home), Q3
Banh Canh Cua (VND 50k one big bowl with a whole crab in), corner of Vo Van Kiẹt and Phuong Hung
Mi Keo Kung Fu (Hu Tieu My va Dim Sum, watch them prepare wheat noodles by stretching and twisting in front of you, 7-11:30 & 16:30-22:30), 116 Ha Ton Quyen, P4, Q11
Baoz Dimsum (6:30am-2pm & 4-11pm), 76-78 Nguyen Tri Phuong, P7, Q5
Ngoc Y Sui Cao (delicious Mi Sui Cao, big Sui cao with whole shrimp inside, VND 40k per bowl), 187 Ha Ton Quyen, P4, Q11
Banh canh ghe (eat outside by the canal in the evening), Truong Sa (meets Cau Bong (just South of Dien Bien Phu bridge),
Quan Ba Dang (banh canh cua + Hue food), 59 bis, Nguyen Thong, Q3
Quan Chieu-Nay (BBQ lamb, beef, pork & chicken skewer kebabs, VND 110k per long skewer, dinner (5-9pm) only), 30b Vo Van Tan, P6, Q3 (near KWP)
Thị Quán (Hanoi food), lunch and dinner (closes at 10pm), Hẻm (lane) between 46 and 58 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Pho Binh (Former Viet Cong headquarters in SGN pre-1975), 7D Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Pho Loc (lots of meat but VND 100k, cow penis optional extra), 74 Dien Bien Phu (on the right from McDonalds to Dinh Tien Hoang), P Da Kao, Q1
Pho Bo Hanoi (opposite the overly bright hairdressers, good and cheap but little too mush MSG), 44 Rach Bung Binh, Q3
Pho Bac Ha Ha Noi (average pho & pho xao bo), corner of Truong Son and Tra Khuc, Q. Tan Binh (near TSN airport)
Banh xeo and banh tom (cheap), 35 Dang Dung, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Banh Xeo (over-priced; expats), 46A Đinh Công Tráng, Q1
Ốc Đào (good snails with butter and pig fat sauce), 132 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Q1
Oc Nhu, Hẻm 650/4 Điện Biên Phủ
Đac san cua bien (sea crab place), 94 Dinh Tien Hoang St., Q1
Khai Minh vegan restaurant, 157 Dien Bien Phu Street, P15, Q Binh Thanh
Ben Thanh Market food stalls, Le Loi, Q1
Hoàng Ty sac san banh trang (from Trang Banh, Tay Ninh province - pork and herbs wrapped in rice paper), 74 Truong Quoc Dung, P.10, Q Phu Nhaun
Banh Trang Cuon Da Nang (bun thit heo quay, cheap), 188 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Com Tam Ba Ghien (big pieces of grilled pork), 84 Dang Van Ngu, P10, Phu Nhuan
Green Bamboo Shelter restaurant, 40/P 34 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Q1
Xoi che Bui Thi Xuan (084835178333, http://www.xoichebuiyhixuan.com/), 33 Din Thien Hoang, Q Binh Thanh
Non-street Vietnamese food:
----------------------------------
Com Nieu (cheap Vietnamese food - rice with lots of different options (even gio thu), Hanoi family-run, AC), 48 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Bap Cai Tim (com binh dan buffet for VND 59k, had AC), 18A/5 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (2 alleys up heading North from the Hoa Vien promo shop), P. Da Kao, Q1
Light Up Cafe (cheap VN set lunch VND 40k-45k, AC, busy so get there at 12pm), 227 Tran Hung Dao, Q1
Nha Trang 49 (Bun Ca), 49 Dinh Tien Hoang, P Dakao, Q1
Quan An Ngon (Pasteur st.), Q3
Cham Cham (expensive buffet, belongs to Khai Silk), Q7
Chateau Franco-Viet restaurant (in an old French colonial government residence with 7 villas and gardens; run by ex-KOTO-related family), 1B Ly Thai To, Q1
Cuc Gach Tiec Tung ("Brick Party", pricey but very nice ambience and good Vietnamese food - big menu, book rooftop private 7-seat greenhouse in advance; great for hosting guests), 9 Dang Tat, Tan Dinh, Q1; 0838480144; 01657101010
Buddha Chay (veg restaurant), 31 Dang Tat, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Prem Bistro (International cuisine - veg and vegan food; 4 cheese ngocchi is great but pricey > VND 150 for Western dishes), 129/4 Vo Van Tan (alley on the left after Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), Q3; delivery 086 27 99 920
Dau Homemade (Bun dau man tom & nem chua ran + che + free daily water puppet performances 1:30-2pm and 8-8:30pm), 1 Nguyen Van Trang (corner where it meets Le Lai), Q1
Red Door (VN fusion), 8 Hem 400, Le Van Sy, P14, Q3
Dong Pho, 57 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Monsoon (Vietnamese, Thai, Myanmar), 1 Cao Ba Nha, P. Nguyen Cu Trinh, Q1
Com Nhieu Sai Gon (Vietnamese; waiters smash com chay clay pots and throw the com chay across the room), 59 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Nem nuong Hoang Mao (meats and veg wrapped in rice paper with dips), 74 Truong Quoc Dung, P10, Q Phu Nhuan
Bun ganh (bun va banh Hue in an old French house), 110 Ly Chinh Thang, P8, Q3
Beefsteak Nam Son, 200 Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai & 157 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Magnolia (lost recipes of VN), 190-192 De Tham, P. Cau Ong Lanh, Q1 (Viet Anh, BD Manager - Hanoian)
Bready Banh Mi Tuoi (fresh bread with soup based dish), 99 Vo Van Tan (near KWP) & 491 Le Van Sy (near home), Q3 + 77 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1
Ngoc Bich Chao cua quay (rice porridge with different meats and breadstick-like things, chao ga quay la VND 78k), 113 Pasteur (just after the Nguyen Minh Khai crossing and near KWP), P6, Q3
CLOSED Kim Food Court (rice with lots of different meats and verge tables, place is owned by an actress Kim Thu (billionaire couple (married to Phuoc Sang) that went bust and now started again; Kim Thu works in the restaurant), 149D Duong Pasteur (just before the crossing with Vo Van Tan), P6, Q3, 090 241 99 99/0838 226 226
Huong Ngu Quan (Hue food), 83 Thach Thi Thanh, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Món Huế, 134 Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Giay Bac (aka "Foil", Central Highlands food, cheap, soft shell crab), 96/1 Le Thi Rieng, Q1
Qua Ha Noi (good Hanoi food at reasonable prices - bun dau mam tom, xoi xeo, cha ca la vong, bun ca...), 7-22h, 21/1 Vo Van Tan (down the alley opposite where Tran Quoc Thao meets Vo Van Tan), P6, Q3
Nha Hang 12h (Western food for Vietnamese - steaks), 49 Tran Nhat Duat, P Tan Dinh, Q1
Duck Deli, 153 Nguyen Thai Binh, Thai Binh Ward, Q1
Gao Restaurant, 33 Le Quy Don, Q3
Food Street: Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan
Indian food:
--------------
Tandoor, 39 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, Q1
Ganesh, 40 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Bến Nghé, Q1
Ganges (not tried yet), 74a2 Quận1, Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Q1
Saigon Indian Restaurant (quite authentic and reasonably priced - staff are a bit cold, decor is garish but the food is good), 1st floor, 73 Mac Thi Buoi St (almost corner with Dong Khoi), Q1
Indian street food (VND 50k for a chicken curry), 191 Dien Bien Phu, Q3
Chinese food:
-------------------
Ocean Palace (nice place, mid-range price, Peking duck, go early for lunch 11am to ensure availability), 2 Le Duan, P Ban Nghe, Q1
Mì 7 Tô (lots of small, different noodle-based dishes), Nguyen Duy Duong, Q5
http://oivietnam.com/2013/05/happiness-is-eating-chinese-food/
Dim Tu Tac Restaurant (Dim Tu Tac Cang Sai Gon) (off the menu but ask for Peking duck with pancakes for VND 620, feeds 4), 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, P12, Q4,
Yu Chu (Peking Duck), Intercontinental, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan
Li Bai (Peking Duck), Sheraton
Ly Hoa Tran Lap Vi Gia, 200B Phung Hung, Cho Lon
Nha Hang Saigon (Dim Sum), 877-279 Tran Hung Dao, P1, Q5
European food:
------------------
Con Bo Map, (burgers, Full English Breakfast VND 150k), 178/4b Pasteur St OR S13-1 Huong Vuong 2, Phu My Hung, Q7
Cafe-Restaurant (smart bar and restaurant - expensive but recommended Chicken Roast - Platinum ale + ciders), 1st floor above ground, 171 Calmette, Q1
Le Padam Cheese Bar, 230 Nguyen Can Huong, Thao Dien, Q2
Beanie's Crepes & Waffles (Savoury and sweet but nothing amazing), 358B Le Van Sy, P14, Q3 or 15N Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1
Hoa Vien (fresh dark beer and good food), 16 Pho Quang (near our flat), Q. Tan Binh
Chateau Franco-Viet restaurant in a ex-gov villa and garden compound (al fresco dining in a lit up garden, family-run), 123b Tổ 19 Khu phố 2, phường 1, Quận 10
Bonjour Resto' French Restaurant (very affordable, USD 5.50 for a steak, salad, bread, and fries), 195B Hai Ba Trung (near Novotel), P6, Q3
The Hungry Pig (bacon sandwiches with cheese chorizo, ham and rocket, British owner, free beer with every sandwich over VND 70k from 4-10pm), 144 Cống Quỳnh, P. Pham Ngu Lao, Q1
Tapas Saigon, 53/26b Tran Khanh Du, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Zeus (Greek souvlaki, dolmades, gyros..., average prices), 164 Cong Quynh, Q1
4P pizza place (stone oven), Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Buzza Pizza (Gorgonzola pizza & 4 cheeses pizza, carbonara, 50% with members card), 5-7-9 Nguyen Trung Truc, P Ben Thanh, Q1
Le Crespo Pizza (overpriced 12" 4 cheeses pizza on thin stone-baked base with honey and chilli oil on the side for VND 200k, friendly host chi Ophely, grew up in Geneva), near the Starbucks on the New World hotel roundabout, Q1
Au Parc (French), 23-25 Han Thuyen, Q1
Mediterranean:
------------------
Warda (food and sheesha), Hem 71 Mac Thi Buoi (near crossing of Dong Khoi), Q1
Korean Food:
--------------
Gogi chains or King BBQ chains
Ga com nuong Han Quoc (sticky rice and BBQ-flavoured rotisserie grilled chicken served on a hot skillet + cheese toboki, r3 85 3 Hưng Phước 4 (road running parallel between Duong So 6 and Le Van Thiem), Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh
Pop Fries (chips with all sorts of toppings), 273 Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan OR 14M Quoc Huong, Thao Dien, Q2
Choi Go Jip (authentic and good location but expensive), 11 Công trường Mê Linh, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Japanese food:
------------------
SORAE Sushi & Sake Lounge (11:30-14h set lunch, VND 150k), 24th floor AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Q1, 0838272372 for reservations
4Ps Japanese pizza, 168 Võ Văn Kiệt, Quan 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Blanchy St. (Japanese fusion in a former opium factory courtyard), 74 Hai Ba Trung, Q1
Tokyo Deli, 240 Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Sushi Bar, 2 Le Thanh Ton, Q1 OR 2F Saigon Court, 149 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Q3
Uraetei BBQ, 2A Ngo Van Nam, Ben Nghe, Q1
CLOSED DOWN Tokyo Town (bright lantern decorations), 188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Q3
American Junk:
-------------------
Quan Ut Ut (BBQ ribs, sausage & pork belly place with Platinum beer), Vi Van Kiẹt (near where it crosses with Nguyen Thai Binh, park under the bridge then head left on Vo Van Kiẹt.
ESPY Pizza (giant pizzas), 154 Cong Quynh, Dist 1, HCMC, 0838377555, 0966543352
Chucks Burgers, 73 Pasteur St. OR 196 Le Lai, Q1
Soul Burger (gourmet burgers around VND 300k per persons), 4 Phan Boi Chau (first floor above the nail salon), East of Ben Thanh market, Q1
Other burger places mentioned in reviews: Snap Cafe, Elbow Room
Hard Rock Cafe, Kumho Asiana Plaza, 39 Le Duan Street, Q1
Something different:
-------------------------
Noir Dining in the Dark (served by blind waiters and waitresses in pitch black), 180D, Hem 178 Hai Ba Trung (almost opposite Saigon Square), Q1
Shanty West Indian Curry (VND 88k) & Jerk (VND 100k) Chicken (run by Japanese guys, lunch Fri-Sat 11:30-14:00, dinner Tues-Sun 19:00-23:30), 36 Chu Manh Trinh (behind Sofitel), 01289890184
La Fiesta Mexican, 13 Dang Thi Nhu, Q1
Khoi Thom Mexican place, 29 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, P6, Q3
Tippy's Mexican, 99 Duong so 99, P6, Q4
Diegos Taco Shop (has a book exchange club where we get to 'take a book and/or leave a book'), 41/9 Co Giang, Q1
#tacos #ceviche #eastsidefries
Catch and cook your own fish, Thap Nga, Binh Xuyen2, At Nguyen Huu Tho, Phuoc Kien, Nha Be
Harry Potter-like experience (eat, drink, make cakes, make handicrafts), Thi Tran Ba Cay Choi, 61 Ho Xuan Huong, P6, Q3 (9am-10pm)
Top-end eating:
-------------------
Restaurant Bobby Chin, The Link, Kumho Asiana Plaza Saigon, 39 Le Duan, Q1
La Villa (French), 14 Ngo Quang Huy, P. Thao Dien, Q2
The Deck Saigon (on the river, call to arrive at your table by boat!), 38 Nguyen U Di, P. Thai Dien, Q2, 0837446632
Cafés:
--------
Caphe An Nam (Live VN music everyday starts around 7pm, basement, VND 200k per drink), 52 Truong Đình, P7, Q3
Piano cafe (classical triplet everyday around 7:30pm), 17 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Order individual cup paper filter coffee contraptions, Emotional Sublimation co., esocoffee.com, Vincom Centre, 72 Le Thanh Ton, 0937222386
Indika cafe (Matt Ryan, owner, Salesian), 43 Nguyen Van Giai (near Jade Emperor Pagoda), P Da Kao, Q1
Cong Caphe (Cot dua cafe/ coconut milk coffee is a gem), Catinat apartment (old USAID office and CIA Boss Lodging), 22 Ly Tu Trong OR Bui Vien
Villa Royale Antiques & Tearoom (tea and scones), 3 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, Q2
L'Usine cafe and shop, Le Loi OR 2nd floor above the art gallery and souvenir shop on Dong Khoi (next to LV store), Q1
Lots of tea and coffee places in the building next to LV store on Dong Khoi (ground floor has souvenir shops, enter through the art arcade), Q1
M2C (Modern Meets Culture - good place to work), 44B Le Quy Don (crossing with Vo Van Tan), Q3
C15 cafe (24/7), 243 Le Van Sy (opposite Adam and Violet and Edena shops), P13, Q3
The Vintage Emporium (swanky), 95b Nguyen Van Thu, P. Da Kao, Q1
Heritage Cafe (24/7, play with British bulldogs), 10 Pasteur Street, Q1
Nomad cafe (chic kids cafe but no AC, has a architects place and shop selling movement trackers attached to it), middle of Hem 5, Nguyen Dinh Chieu (which connects with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai)
Cheesecake ngon (mission, run by Aussie, Nathan Milner, ex-HIF) cafe, 44 Truong Quyen, P6, Q3
I Love Kem (mix and match icecream from good selection of flavours and toppings, VND 27k per 100g), 355 Le Van Sy (opposite Sumi BBQ), P1, Q. Tan Binh
Moon & Sun Fresh Ice Cream, Hẻm 145 Hai Bà Trưng, alley next to Canalis
Osterberg Ice Cream, 212 Lè Lai, Ben Thanh, Q1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District 1
iKem (ice cream made with liquid nitrogen in front of you, VND 60k-100k), 53B Nguyen Du(near crossing with Hai Ba Trung), Q1
Caphe Mien Dong Thao (along the train track heading north east to Hanoi), 221 Nguyen Trong Tuyen (Just South of the train track), P8, Q. Phu Nhuan
ATC rooftop cafe (part of a furniture store and has comfy hanging chairs), nice in evenings as looks over 268b Nguyen Van Troi and there's a nice breeze created by the low rise building next door, Nguyen Van Troi, Q3
http://www.nomadicnotes.com/travel-blog/ho-chi-minh-city-cafes/
Cakes & Ale (Chic cafe) is at 6B Cong Truong Quoc Te, Q3, HCMC — down the Papa’s Café alleyway, up one flight of the stairs to the left of Papa’s. Check facebook.com/cakesandale23 for more info
Container Cafe (everything's recycled), 1 Hoa Lan, P2, Q Phu Nhuan
Kujuz cafe (building made of windows and doors), 50k/glass or 100k unlimited drink within a day), 5 Tran Quy Khoach, Tan Dinh, Q1, 8am-8pm
House Coffee (Beach Cafe sand, waves, deck chairs...), HAVE TO MAKE BOOKINGS SOME HOURS BEOTE VISITING BECAUSE ONLY 12 SEATS, 408 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, P5, Q3
Toilet Cafe (sit on toilets, tables are washing basins, 29/2A Road 2D, Q Binh Thanh
Du Mien Tree House and Garden Cafe, 7 Phan Van Tri, P10, Go Vap
Cafe Ghe Dau (smart little street cafe under tree, good in evening), Đường Hoa Phượng (cross with Duong Hoa Mai), Phu Nhuan
10 Incredible HCM Cafés (2012) http://www.nomadicnotes.com/travel-blog/ho-chi-minh-city-cafes/
Nha ga 3A (creative space), 9am-9pm, 3A Ton Duc Thang, P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Minus 180 degrees tra sua (flavoured milk with jelly and tapioca balls), 2 for 1 Thursdays, 74 Vo Van Tan, P8, Q3.
Miền Đồng Thảo, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Cafe Trầm, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Cafe Nến, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Du Miên, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Co-working space:
-------------------
Citihub co-working space, 93 Bis. Nguyen Van Thu, P Dakao, Q1
WorkSaigon co-working space, 267/2 Dien Bien Phu (just South of crossing with Tran Quoc Thao), Q3
Dreamplex co-working space, 21 Nguyen Trung Ngan, P Ben Nghe, Q1
Drinks (bars and clubs):
----------------------------
Saigon Cigar Club (all Cuban, min USD 25, 20% off all cigars every Sunday 14:30-17:30h), 24th Flr AB Tower (in SORAE lounge), 76A Le Lai, Q1, REQUIRES RESERVATION 0902426976
SORAE Sushi & Sake Lounge (17:30-20h happy hour, 50% on cocktails), 24th floor AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Q1, 0838272372 for reservations
BiaCraft (ales), 90 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, Q2
Pasteur Street Brewing Co. (IPA is best but pricey), Hem 144 Pasteur, Q1
Hops Beer Garden, 43 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (just before hitting Hai Ba Trung), Q3
Liquid Sky Bar (roof of the Renaissance Hotel), 8-15 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Q.1
Social Club Saigon (rooftop bar with pool and live music every night, 50% off drinks and small plates 17-20h everyday), 23rd Floor, Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery (USD 150/night, great views of the Notre Dame, parks, and Independence Palace), 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
Glow Sky Bar (one club room and big outdoor table space and dance floor), 13th Floor, President Palace building (Starbucks on ground floor), 93 Nguyen Du, Q1
Cobalt rooftop bar, Pullman Saigon Centre, 31st Floor, 148 Tran Hung Dao, Q1
Chill Sky Bar, 26-27th Floors (happy hour between 17:30 and 20:30), AB Tower, 76 Le Lai St., Q1, +84838272372
Shri Rooftop Bar, 23rd Floor, Centec Tower, 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Q3, +8438279631
Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar, Caravelle Hotel, Lam Son Square, Q1
OMG Rooftop Bar (David and Antoine know the French owner), 8th Floor, Tan Hai Long Hotel, 15-19 Nguyen An Ninh, Q1, +84937200222
The View rooftop bar (cheap drinks), 195 Bui Vien, P. Pham Ngu Lao, Q1
Cube Bar DJ venue (D&B nights - Hugh G, Will H, & Dan K), 31B Ly Tu Trong, Q1
Observatory DJ venue by the river (in the building opposite the big wooden ship in the same premises as Cargo), Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
OLD LOCATION The Observatory, Corner of Le Lai and Ton That Tung, Q1
Cargo DJ venue, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
Caramen Flamenco Bar, 8 Ly Tu Truong, Q1
Blanchy's Tash Bar (DJs), 95 Hai Ba Trung, Q1
CLOSED Uprising Bar (Acoustic Saturdays start at 8pm; Platinum pale ale (40k/glass; 265k/2.5L; owner is Leki, a Sri Lankan that's lived in HCM for 13 years and married to a Vietnamese. Used to manage a resort in Phan Thiet then opened a graphic design company an likes music so opened the bar in Sep '15) & Stowford cider), 420/6 Le Van Sy (alley opposite KFC), P12, Q3
Saigon Ranger (Bar/Indoor event space), 5/7 Nguyen Sieu, Q1
Yoko Cafe (Pasteur St. IPA VND 90-100 per 330ml, owner is Mr. Anh, Opening Hours: 08:00 – 24:00 (Live music from 21:00 Tues-Sun), 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, Q3
Piano Cafe (pianist, guitarist and celloist playing Vietnamese and other songs good atmosphere), 27 Ho Xuan Huong, P6, Q3
Sax n Art jazz club (18-00h), 28 Le Loi, Q1
Snuffbox (Jazz & cocktail bar), 14 Ton That Dam, Q1
Saigon Soul Pool Parties (Sat afternoons, VND 200k except during monsoon), The New Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai, Ben Thanh Ward, Q1
La Fenetre Soleil, 44 Ly Tu Truong, Q1
Woodstock Live Music (every night, gets busy on Fri and Sat at around 8-9pm), 39 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, P6, Q3
Acoustic Live Music Bar, 7pm-midnight, 6E1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, Q1
Cargo (DJs), 3pm-midnight Weds to Sun, 7a Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
Sights:
---------
Night flower market (& Cambodian food due to a big diaspora living there), Ho Thi Ky street & Tran Binh Trong street (but market falls within the triangle made by Le Hong Phong, Hung Vuong, and Ly Thai To streets), Q10
Leisure:
----------
Long graffiti wall along 15B Le Thanh Ton, Japanese area, Q1
Vietnam House Craft Emporium (9am-6pm everyday), 187 Nguyen Van Huong, P. Thao Dien, Q2
Khu Du Lich Suoi Mo (park with a waterfall), duong so 11, Long Bình, 9
Église Huyện Sỹ (beautiful exterior and interior, constructed in 1902-1905, corner of Nguyễn Trãi and Tôn Thất Tùng, Q1
Dong Dao live music venue (book tickets, 164 Pasteur, P. Ben Nghe, Q1, phongtradongdao.vn, 0918488585
Ticketbox.vn - event ticketing site
San khau ca ngac Trong Dong (Outdoor Theatre), 12b Cach Mang Thang 8 (crosses with Nguyen Du), Q1 (0883291292/0838277940/0883291292)
Galaxy Cinema (VND 75k per ticket late show weekday), Nguyen Du (one-way street after Dang Tran Con, Q1.
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6. --> Thien Hau Temple (old Chinese temple), 710 Nguyễn Trãi, phường 11, Quận 5; food http://m.kenh14.vn/doi-song/7-mon-an-nhat-dinh-phai-thu-khi-den-cho-lon-sai-gon-2014101501173875.chn
Van Thanh Resort (Restaurants, cafés, tennis courts and a swimming pool with sun loungers - pool open until 7:45pm and is VND 60k/day) 48/10 Dien Bien Phu, P22, Q. Binh Thanh
List of swimming pools in HCMC - http://vietnamcoracle.com/top-5-public-swimming-pools-saigon/
Ramana (4 star) small (shallow end is very shallow and difficult to swim) rooftop swimming pool and small gym (VND 100k per day), near where Le Van Sy crosses Tran Huy Lieu, Q3
Dam Sen Park & Water Park, No. 3 Hoa Binh Street, Ward 3, Q11
Tao Dan (10ha, replica NHA Trang Cham temple), Q1
23/9 Park (popular with students learning English during the early evening), Le Lai Street & Pham Ngu Lao Street, Q1
Gia Dinh park (running track, sand and water playground for kids), Hoang Minh Giam, Q. Phu Nhuan
Museum of Fine Arts, 97A Pho Duc Chinh, Q1
War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Reunification Palace, 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Q1
Museum of Vietnamese History, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Q1
The Ho Chi Minh Museum (Nha Rong Harbor), 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
F'Miss spa (clean & professional, Linh receptionist, +84 8 38447296, buy bundle that works out as VND 100k for 90min body massage), Địa chỉ : 155 Trần Huy Liệu, Phường 8, Quận Phú Nhuận OR 31/1 Ung Văn Khiêm, P25,Q Bình Thạnh, Tp, HCM
Blind massage (em Chieu, sinh nam '94, nha o Tien Giang, em hoc va lam o dai 14 nam roi), VND 60k per hour (tip VND 40k), VN Institute of the Blind, 185 Cống Quỳnh, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Q1
Mach's Gym (modern with AC, VND 680k/month, 06:00-21:30 mon-sat and 10:00-18:00 sun), 1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua (near KWP), Q 1
Push Climbing Wall (VND 100k for 1 hour with a group of 5 OR VND 200k per day including all hire), in Saigon Outcast, 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, Q2, 0126 47 22 134
Bollywood dance classes on Tues, Thurs & Sat (19:35-20:35) for VND 500k/month @ Dang Ngoc Spa, 1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Q 1
Food Shopping:
-------------------
Golden Gerbera Mart (Small and cheap western shop that often discounts edible out-of-date stuff by 50%), 71 Tran Huy Lieu (crossing with Huynh Van Banh), P12, Q3
Phuong Ha 1 (Well-priced Western food and drink + Indian spices), 58 Ham Nghi, P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Binh Dien wholesale fruit and veg market, Q7
Indian spices from Cari anh Hai in block 867-875-919 (North-East corner). In Ben Thanh market. If you cannot find the shop you can ask around, they will show you. The shop is quite famous.
Esocoffee (paper filters for individual cups, VND 100k per pack of 10), Mr. Ha is he owner, office in Vincom, 0937222386
Vinmart supermarkets now sell Fullers London Pride for around VND 60k per 330ml bottle
Regional Beer/international soft drink wholesalers, Hẻm 666 Đường 3 Tháng 2, P14, Q10
Annam Gourmet Foods (good selection of British beers, world cheeses and cold-cuts but pricey), 16-18 Hai Ba Trung (crosses wih Dong Du), P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Nam An Market (hot cross buns), Thao Dien, Q2
Crumbs (hot cross buns), Q7
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6.
Non-food Shopping/Services:
-----------------------------------
iService (Official Apple maintenance, English speaking, VND 400k for MacBook service, Mon-Fri 9-12 13:30-17:30, Sat 9-12), D House building, 39 Nguyen Thi Dieu, P10, Q3, 0866832592, 0839305837
IKNOW Mac hardware and software shop, Thao Dien St, Q2
VN trainers and flip flop shops, Southern end of Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Zakka clothing and accessories shop, patterns designed by Japanese designer. Good quality cotton and silk products, 73 Pasteur St., Q1
Thuy's Tailor shop (Ben Thanh market stall no. 385-387-431; custom-made suits for VND 1.5mln, blazer VND 1mln, shirts VND 500k), shop: 0835201706, home: 0838253052, mobile: 0903676402, phucvx2000@yahoo.com
3D print shop, 130 Bis, Tran Huy Lieu, P15, Q. Phu Nhuan, HCM, cafein3D.com
Stainless steel home furnishing (drying rails, tables, stools, chairs), 640 Xo Viet, P25, Q. Binh Thanh
Big cardboard boxes, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4. OR crossing of Nguyen Du and Hai BA Trung, Q1
Wood pieces & carpenters (doors, windows, banisters), northern end of Ba Hat (where meets Go Gia Tu), P9, Q10
Viet My Luxury/sports car bodywork shop, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh (next to Cargo), Q4
2Day Sale Student Bazzar (in a 4-floor house), 16 Nguyen Thai Binh, Q1
Board Games Saigon, 796/2a Su Van Hanh, Q10
Board game shop, near Snap Cafe, 32 Tran Ngoc Dien, P. Thao Dien, Q2
Cobblers, Tran Quang Dieu (North-side of Le Van Sy), Q3
Dung Locksmiths, mobile shop but usually outside 29 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh in the mornings, 0909903147
Nice embroided shirts and dresses for elder ladies, Anh Vy Fashion, 402B Hai Ba Trung, Q1
Wadonka Outdoor Sports Shop, 6 Nguyen Phi Khanh, P. Tan Đình, Q1
Mattresses st, Bach Dang, Q Binh Thanh
Toc Yeu Hair Korea (affordable women's haircuts), 137 Nguyen Van Dau, P7, Q. Binh Thanh
Ti Ly Hair &Nails Salon, 60/66 Ly Chinh Thang, P8, Q3, 0902 35 09 90
Average design and quality Ao Dai fabrics, 57 Thu Khoa Huan, Q1
Ao Dai tailor, Pasteur St. (Near where it meets Trần Quoc Toan), Q3
Bacchus Corner Wine & Spirits (Laphroaig 10yrs VND 1,815,000), 9am-9pm, 158D Pasteur, Q1, +84838293306, info@bacchuscorner.com
Dong Ho Sai Thanh (watch and watch strap change shop), 246 Huyen Van Banh, P11, Q Phu Nhuan
Wedding planning - www.marry.vn
Wedding photos/video - www.muacuoi.vn
Wedding dress shops, Ho Van Hue, Q. Phu Nhuan
Print shop, banners, and signs street - Hoa Hong Print Shop (colour laser, wedding invitations), 156 Ly Thai To, P1, Q3
Glass bottle/jar seller, 189 Vo Thi Sao (before the crossing with Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), P7, Q3
Non-electrical home appliance shop, Thanh Uyen, 198 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, P6, Q3
Music equipment & DJ Gear, Southern end of Dien Bien Phu, Q1
Musictool (DJ and sound production equip), 4th floor, BlueSea building, 205B Hoang Hoa Tham, P6, Q. Binh Thanh
Audio Technicians (cables, speakers...), 97 Truong Dinh, P6, Q3
2nd hand hifi systems, Ly Nam De, Q11
Speakers, Nguyen Kim, P6, Q10
Canon Service Centre, corner of Trần Hung Dao and Bui Vien
Reliable camera fixing shop, Khanh Long Camera shop, 39-41 Huynh Thuc Khanh, Q1
Tissot + Lammy + Cohiba Showroom, 115 Nguyen Hue, Q1
DOJI diamond and jewellery shop, 161 Hàm Nghi, Q1
Sports shops, Le Van Sy (near T junction with Hoang Van Thu), Q3 OR 1-12 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Q 1
Bike Cafe (road and XC bike sales and repairs), 133 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen (near Ga Saigon/train station), P.10, Q.3
2nd hand road bike (French, Italian, Japanese) and components sales (a. Dang, +84 91 8842228), 46 Ly Nam De OR 52 Ly Nam De, Q11
2nd hand road and XC bikes (Chu Dinh & Co Cuc), 116 Pham Huu Chi, P15, Q5
2nd hand USA road and XC bikes (a. Phat), Hem 529 Dien Bien Phu, P3, Q3
Big motorbikes 600cc+, 151 Dien Bien Phu (before the bridge on the side heading from Q2 towards P. Da Kao, Q1), Q Tan Binh
Motorbike parts, around Pham Huu Chi, P15, Q5
Helmet fixer, corner of Đường Châu Văn Liêm and the roundabout, Q6
Standard Chartered Bank (2nd floor) VN, 37 Ton Duc Thang Street, Q1
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6.
Pen refills + Duck tape, Ngoc Tuyen, 151 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, P13, Q 5
Viet Uc Translation Company (anh Thanh), 8am-5:30pm, 95A Pasteur, P. Ben Nghe, Q1, +84862565777
Goodwill safe shop, 81 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Fan fixer, fan and padlock stall in Cho Nguyen Van Troi (small street side), opposite the Vinamilk shop (approximately 276), Ly Van Sy, Q3
Gardening shops, Nguyen Huu Tho (just south of Cau Kenh Te
Pet shops, Southern end of Le Hong Phong, Q10
Hotels:
---------
Budget:
Madame Cuc Hotel (VND 250-300/night twin/double/triple; most staff speak good English; 8 floors and no lift), 64 Bùi Viện (next to the police station), Q1, m: +84903906250, t: +84838365073, @: madamcuc@hcm.vnn.vn
Hong Kong Hotel (separate sex sleeping pod dorms (1 person per pod) with lockers, USD 8-9 per night), 22 Bui Vien, Q1
Mid-level:
CLOSED BUT REOPENED UNDER NEW NAME Golden Rose Hotel (3 Star, nice decor, good English service, clean, quiet, gym, USD 25 (long-term rate > 1 month)-30 per night, wifi pw: 38233378), 3A Vo Van Tan St. (Close to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, and Cathedral), Ward 6, Q3, +84382 333 79
Top-end:
Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery (USD 150/night, great views of the Notre Dame, parks, and Independence Palace, live music bar at the top), 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
Rex Hotel (Historic hotel where Yanky journalists used to write during the US invasion), Corner of Nguyen Hue and Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Caravelle Hotel (one of the oldest 5-star hotels in VN, opening Christmas Eve 1959), 19 Công trường Lam Sơn, Q1
Hospitals/Dentists:
----------------------
Ashish Kanchan's recommended dentist (Dr. Khoa speaks VN only but staff can interpret), 199 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (crosses Nguyen Cu Trinh), Q3
Van Hanh General Hospital (4th Floor, Blue Cross), Hẻm 781 Lê Hồng Phong 781/B1, P14, Q10
Bệnh Viện Từ Dũ (HOSPITAL), 106 Cống Quỳnh, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Q1, Hồ Chí Minh
Benh Vien Tam Than (Mental hospital), 766 Đường Võ Văn Kiệt, Q5
Immigration Office:
------------------------
For foreigners (Mon-Sat 8-11:30am; 1:30-4pm; AM on Sat only), Ministry of Public Security & Immigration, 254 Nguyen Trai)
For Vietnamese 191 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
People's Committee of District 1 AKA Uy Ban Nhan Dan Quan 1 (certified copies, certified translations), 47 Le Duan (next to the cathedral), Q1
Ho Chi Minh Justice Department (7:30am-11am and 1pm-5pm, certified translation, criminal record check), 141 Pasteur (between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Dien Bien Phu), Q3
Tax Department:
-----------------
63 Vũ Tông Phan St., An Phú Ward, Dist. 2, Hồ Chí Minh City, Tel: (08) 37 702288.
Churches:
------------
International Christian Fellowship (Methodist foundation but interdenominational led by Pastor Leslie Lim & Pastor Albert Low, pragmatic messages for business people congregation), Sunday Service in English at 10:30AM, smart casual dress code, 4th Floor, Hoa Hung Nha Tho Tin Lanh, 625D Cach Mang Thang Tam Str, P15, Q10
Agape Evangelical Church (Sundays in VN: 9-10:30am; EN: 5:30-7pm), 15 Tu Xuong, P7, Q3
The Well English service at 11am on Sundays, led by Tom Castor), Khanh Hoi Church, 98 Le Quoc Hung St., Q4, HCMC
Kỳ Đồng church (Mass is held at 5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:00 pm), 38 Ky Dong, Q3
Notre Dame Cathedral (Nha Tho Duc Ba), English service at 9:30am, Ben Nghe Ward, Q1
New Life City Church, 9am Sundays, 112 Mi Kim 2, Q7
Permanent Living:
----------------------
Free haircuts every other Saturday by Truong Day Nghe Minh Dang (Q12) students (Teachers name is Hung), corner of Truong Sa and Ngo Thoi Nghiem, Q. Phu Nhuan
Chi Yen (Antoine's state agent) - +84937532678
Many people live far away from their office. The easiest thing is that you live right in the District 3. Otherwise, you can live in district 4, district 10, district 7, district 2. However, the district is also large itself, some areas are crowded, some areas are not.
Standard Chartered multi-currency account (passport and visa), Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30, Saigon Trade Center, 1st Floor, 37 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, HCMC, 0839110000, Swift code: SCBLVNVX.
Resources:
--------------
Any Arena - Events
Ticketbox.vn
TNH - All
Day/weekend trips:
-----------------------
Online bus bookings, Phuong Trang Bus Company Futa Buses, Futabus.vn/en-us/, 327C Le Hong Phong, Q10 (multiple offices), 019006067
Thanh Buoi Bus Co, 266 Le Hong Phong, Q10, 0838306306
Nui Sam (holy Sam mountain, annual festival in the lunar month of April), near Chau Doc (250km (6 hours) from HCMC on the border of Cambodia where the Mekong River splits), trek up the mountain and stay in Victoria Hotel, infamous for it's infinity pool with views of the paddy fields below. Canh chua ca is the specialty. Also visit Tra Su mangrove forest (Rừng Trà Sư), which is home to many rare birds and has boat tours from around VND 150k for 2 people. Nice lakes: Hồ Tà Pạ or Hồ Soài So (largest man-made lake on An Giang for irrigation) at Núi Cô Tô (has cave complexes that were used to fight the Americans)
Bull running festival (Lễ Hội đua bò Bảy Núi, coincides with the Dolta festival to pray for ancestors' happiness, end of Aug each year), Bảy Núi (7 mountains) area, An Giang province
Bo Tu (young beef) Cu chi, Bo Tu Truong Lac, To 1, Ap Phu Hoa, Xa Phu My Hung Đường Trung Lập (Near Cu Chi tunnels), Cu Chi
Kê Gà cove and lighthouse, travel on national highway 1A from HCMC to Thuan Nam, turn right, and go straight for 20km
Vuon Xoai Activity Resort (Paintballing, ostrich racing, small water park), Bien Hoa, Đồng Nai
Bo Cap Vang Activity Resort (watersport inflatables, swimming, quad bikes, ...), AP3, Phuoc Khanh, Nhon Trac, Dong Nai
Bao Loc Southern edge of Central Highlands
Dalat (hills, waterfalls, canyoning)
Phan Rang former Champa capital (Coastal) city (architecture and people), overnight train ideally over 3-day weekend
Can Gio: beach (not very clean and large but still ok), mangrove forest, monkey island and cheap fresh seafood (60km from Dist 1 - can go by motorbike, it would be fun)
Viet Cong's Cu Chi tunnels: historical site (35km from Q1)
Giang Dien Park: http://giangdien.com.vn/gioi-thieu/gioi-thieu-chung/gioi-thieu-ve-thac-giang-dien/ (60km from Saigon), 104/4 ấp Hoà Bình, X. Giang Điền - H. Trảng Bom, T. Đồng Nai.
Ba Ra Mountain (720m high; start trek at Thac Mo village; 1,767 steps on the trail up), Phuoc Long Province, 180km from HCMC
Vung Tau beach: 2 hours by bus or 3-4 hours by motorbike (bikes aren't allowed on the highway) Zenna Pool Camp is an upmarket beachside camp site with pool, lounge areas, outdoor BBQ spots... (https://m.facebook.com/ZennaPoolCamp/)
Suoi Tien Park - Amusement park for kids
Dai Nam amusement park (Binh Duong province)
Cat Tien National Park - trekking, cycling, kayaking, crocodile lake, stay in a park rangers' stilt house, elephants, bears, gibbons, gaur - Tai Lai Longhouse (hire traditional houses 30 people), Tan Phu, Dong Nai, +84974160827, info@talai-adventure.vn, www.talai-adventure.vn
Other provinces (easily reach by bus): Mekong Delta like Can Tho, Vinh Long, My Tho, Ben Tre..., Da Lat, Mui Ne beach, Dong Nai...
Phu Quoc island - Sao beach and Long beach for swimming and snorkelling, Dinh Cau beach for sunsets, and Khem or "kem" beach (narrow and only reachable be motorbike or foot) for a more local and chilled out beach, and Ong Lang jungle beach
High wire (tree-level) and forest zip wire at Alba Thanh Tan Hue hot spring, Hue
Son Dong USD 3k/person and only 500 permits per year (largest cave in the world (5km long) with underground river and 70m long stalagmites) and Va Cave (cave with conical formations in blue-green water), Phong Nha National Park, Ke Bang (between Vinh and Hue), Quang Binh, Dong Hoi city has the nearest airport
Ghenh Da Dia tubular rock formations near Tuy Hoa city in Phu Yen, 1-hour motorbike ride
-------------------------------------
***WHEN USING YOUR PHONE IN PUBLIC, KEEP IT CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST, FACE AWAY FROM THE ROAD, AND USE 2 HANDS TO AVOID SNATCHING***
Useful numbers:
- Police 113
- Fire 114
- Medic 115
- International operator 110
Taxi from the airport to home: Tan Son International Airport to Hem 483, Le Van Sy, Quan 3 VNĐ 85k (including car park fee).
Taxi from the airport to the centre of District (Q) 1: Tan Son International Airport to Bùi Viện (8.5km) VNĐ 170 (including car park fee).
Free interpretation services for tourists: Call/Text +84 165 240 0255
Food:
-------
Vietnamese street food:
----------------------------
Banh Mi Que Da Nang (thin and crispy baguette with usual fillings, mobile vendor outside 29 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Lunch Lady street food stalls (Bun Bo Hue, Hu Tieu, Goi Cuon, Che), along Hoang Sa between Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Cau Thi Nghe
Hu tieu mi suon (10pm-6am), next to the tattoo parlour on the side heading South-East on Le Van Sy from the crossing with Trần Quang Dieu towards Cau Le Van Sy, Q3
Hu tieu mi, Hem 172 Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Anh Ba Bo Nhung Dam va Bo La Lot (5-9:30pm, go early), sour hotpot with beef and beetle leaf-wrapped beef meatballs), 460 Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan
Bun Dau Mam Tom (good), 202 Nguyen Trai, Q1
Com ga xoi mo (chicken and rice), 174/8 Nguyen Thien Thuat, P3, Q3 OR Su Su 53 Tu Xuong, Q3
Hem 53 Nguyen Hue food stalls (com ga, che...) (after Duxton hotel when heading towards the river on Nguyen Hue), Q1
Quan ga Anh Tu (ga nuong - not as good as Hanoi), 449 Le Quang Dinh, P5, Go Vap
MOVEDBanh Cuon and cha muc (VND 12k per big calamari piece), 347 Le Van Sy, P1, Q Tan Binh
Banh cuon nong, 6am-1pm and 4:30-10pm, 353 Le Van Sy (near the cho), Q3
Bò Tơ Tây Ninh Năm Sánh (young beef) - Phạm Hùng- C3/21T Phạm Hùng, Bình Chánh
Hog roast places, around 272 Bac Hai, P.15, Q10
Xuan Tu, Bun Cha and nem ran (binh thuong) Ha Noi, Duy Nhat So 2 Pham Van Hai (near the flyover at the end of Le Van Sy, P2, Q Tan Binh
Can Anh 2, (Cha Gio (crispy and tasty spring rolls), cha vuong (big crab spring rolls), and banh tom), 362 Nguyen Trong Tuyen (crosses with ), P1, Q. Tan Binh, 08 6293 5559 or 0916 330 033 (free delivery)
Steamed dumplings with bean sprouts (hoang thanh - pork and prawn OR suoi cao - pork), 143 Nguyen Du, Q1
Muc 280 (muc mot nang and ghe ran muoai), 280 Le Van Sy (opposite cho Nguyen Van Troi, near home), Q3
Banh Canh Cua (VND 50k one big bowl with a whole crab in), corner of Vo Van Kiẹt and Phuong Hung
Mi Keo Kung Fu (Hu Tieu My va Dim Sum, watch them prepare wheat noodles by stretching and twisting in front of you, 7-11:30 & 16:30-22:30), 116 Ha Ton Quyen, P4, Q11
Baoz Dimsum (6:30am-2pm & 4-11pm), 76-78 Nguyen Tri Phuong, P7, Q5
Ngoc Y Sui Cao (delicious Mi Sui Cao, big Sui cao with whole shrimp inside, VND 40k per bowl), 187 Ha Ton Quyen, P4, Q11
Banh canh ghe (eat outside by the canal in the evening), Truong Sa (meets Cau Bong (just South of Dien Bien Phu bridge),
Quan Ba Dang (banh canh cua + Hue food), 59 bis, Nguyen Thong, Q3
Quan Chieu-Nay (BBQ lamb, beef, pork & chicken skewer kebabs, VND 110k per long skewer, dinner (5-9pm) only), 30b Vo Van Tan, P6, Q3 (near KWP)
Thị Quán (Hanoi food), lunch and dinner (closes at 10pm), Hẻm (lane) between 46 and 58 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Pho Binh (Former Viet Cong headquarters in SGN pre-1975), 7D Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Pho Loc (lots of meat but VND 100k, cow penis optional extra), 74 Dien Bien Phu (on the right from McDonalds to Dinh Tien Hoang), P Da Kao, Q1
Pho Bo Hanoi (opposite the overly bright hairdressers, good and cheap but little too mush MSG), 44 Rach Bung Binh, Q3
Pho Bac Ha Ha Noi (average pho & pho xao bo), corner of Truong Son and Tra Khuc, Q. Tan Binh (near TSN airport)
Banh xeo and banh tom (cheap), 35 Dang Dung, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Banh Xeo (over-priced; expats), 46A Đinh Công Tráng, Q1
Ốc Đào (good snails with butter and pig fat sauce), 132 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Q1
Oc Nhu, Hẻm 650/4 Điện Biên Phủ
Đac san cua bien (sea crab place), 94 Dinh Tien Hoang St., Q1
Khai Minh vegan restaurant, 157 Dien Bien Phu Street, P15, Q Binh Thanh
Ben Thanh Market food stalls, Le Loi, Q1
Hoàng Ty sac san banh trang (from Trang Banh, Tay Ninh province - pork and herbs wrapped in rice paper), 74 Truong Quoc Dung, P.10, Q Phu Nhaun
Banh Trang Cuon Da Nang (bun thit heo quay, cheap), 188 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Com Tam Ba Ghien (big pieces of grilled pork), 84 Dang Van Ngu, P10, Phu Nhuan
Green Bamboo Shelter restaurant, 40/P 34 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Q1
Xoi che Bui Thi Xuan (084835178333, http://www.xoichebuiyhixuan.com/), 33 Din Thien Hoang, Q Binh Thanh
Non-street Vietnamese food:
----------------------------------
Com Nieu (cheap Vietnamese food - rice with lots of different options (even gio thu), Hanoi family-run, AC), 48 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh
Bap Cai Tim (com binh dan buffet for VND 59k, had AC), 18A/5 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (2 alleys up heading North from the Hoa Vien promo shop), P. Da Kao, Q1
Light Up Cafe (cheap VN set lunch VND 40k-45k, AC, busy so get there at 12pm), 227 Tran Hung Dao, Q1
Nha Trang 49 (Bun Ca), 49 Dinh Tien Hoang, P Dakao, Q1
Quan An Ngon (Pasteur st.), Q3
Cham Cham (expensive buffet, belongs to Khai Silk), Q7
Chateau Franco-Viet restaurant (in an old French colonial government residence with 7 villas and gardens; run by ex-KOTO-related family), 1B Ly Thai To, Q1
Cuc Gach Tiec Tung ("Brick Party", pricey but very nice ambience and good Vietnamese food - big menu, book rooftop private 7-seat greenhouse in advance; great for hosting guests), 9 Dang Tat, Tan Dinh, Q1; 0838480144; 01657101010
Buddha Chay (veg restaurant), 31 Dang Tat, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Prem Bistro (International cuisine - veg and vegan food; 4 cheese ngocchi is great but pricey > VND 150 for Western dishes), 129/4 Vo Van Tan (alley on the left after Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), Q3; delivery 086 27 99 920
Dau Homemade (Bun dau man tom & nem chua ran + che + free daily water puppet performances 1:30-2pm and 8-8:30pm), 1 Nguyen Van Trang (corner where it meets Le Lai), Q1
Red Door (VN fusion), 8 Hem 400, Le Van Sy, P14, Q3
Dong Pho, 57 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Monsoon (Vietnamese, Thai, Myanmar), 1 Cao Ba Nha, P. Nguyen Cu Trinh, Q1
Com Nhieu Sai Gon (Vietnamese; waiters smash com chay clay pots and throw the com chay across the room), 59 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Nem nuong Hoang Mao (meats and veg wrapped in rice paper with dips), 74 Truong Quoc Dung, P10, Q Phu Nhuan
Bun ganh (bun va banh Hue in an old French house), 110 Ly Chinh Thang, P8, Q3
Beefsteak Nam Son, 200 Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai & 157 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Magnolia (lost recipes of VN), 190-192 De Tham, P. Cau Ong Lanh, Q1 (Viet Anh, BD Manager - Hanoian)
Bready Banh Mi Tuoi (fresh bread with soup based dish), 99 Vo Van Tan (near KWP) & 491 Le Van Sy (near home), Q3 + 77 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1
Ngoc Bich Chao cua quay (rice porridge with different meats and breadstick-like things, chao ga quay la VND 78k), 113 Pasteur (just after the Nguyen Minh Khai crossing and near KWP), P6, Q3
CLOSED Kim Food Court (rice with lots of different meats and verge tables, place is owned by an actress Kim Thu (billionaire couple (married to Phuoc Sang) that went bust and now started again; Kim Thu works in the restaurant), 149D Duong Pasteur (just before the crossing with Vo Van Tan), P6, Q3, 090 241 99 99/0838 226 226
Huong Ngu Quan (Hue food), 83 Thach Thi Thanh, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Món Huế, 134 Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Giay Bac (aka "Foil", Central Highlands food, cheap, soft shell crab), 96/1 Le Thi Rieng, Q1
Qua Ha Noi (good Hanoi food at reasonable prices - bun dau mam tom, xoi xeo, cha ca la vong, bun ca...), 7-22h, 21/1 Vo Van Tan (down the alley opposite where Tran Quoc Thao meets Vo Van Tan), P6, Q3
Nha Hang 12h (Western food for Vietnamese - steaks), 49 Tran Nhat Duat, P Tan Dinh, Q1
Duck Deli, 153 Nguyen Thai Binh, Thai Binh Ward, Q1
Gao Restaurant, 33 Le Quy Don, Q3
Food Street: Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan
Indian food:
--------------
Tandoor, 39 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, Q1
Ganesh, 40 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Bến Nghé, Q1
Ganges (not tried yet), 74a2 Quận1, Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Q1
Saigon Indian Restaurant (quite authentic and reasonably priced - staff are a bit cold, decor is garish but the food is good), 1st floor, 73 Mac Thi Buoi St (almost corner with Dong Khoi), Q1
Indian street food (VND 50k for a chicken curry), 191 Dien Bien Phu, Q3
Chinese food:
-------------------
Ocean Palace (nice place, mid-range price, Peking duck, go early for lunch 11am to ensure availability), 2 Le Duan, P Ban Nghe, Q1
Mì 7 Tô (lots of small, different noodle-based dishes), Nguyen Duy Duong, Q5
http://oivietnam.com/2013/05/happiness-is-eating-chinese-food/
Dim Tu Tac Restaurant (Dim Tu Tac Cang Sai Gon) (off the menu but ask for Peking duck with pancakes for VND 620, feeds 4), 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, P12, Q4,
Yu Chu (Peking Duck), Intercontinental, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan
Li Bai (Peking Duck), Sheraton
Ly Hoa Tran Lap Vi Gia, 200B Phung Hung, Cho Lon
Nha Hang Saigon (Dim Sum), 877-279 Tran Hung Dao, P1, Q5
European food:
------------------
Con Bo Map, (burgers, Full English Breakfast VND 150k), 178/4b Pasteur St OR S13-1 Huong Vuong 2, Phu My Hung, Q7
Cafe-Restaurant (smart bar and restaurant - expensive but recommended Chicken Roast - Platinum ale + ciders), 1st floor above ground, 171 Calmette, Q1
Le Padam Cheese Bar, 230 Nguyen Can Huong, Thao Dien, Q2
Beanie's Crepes & Waffles (Savoury and sweet but nothing amazing), 358B Le Van Sy, P14, Q3 or 15N Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1
Hoa Vien (fresh dark beer and good food), 16 Pho Quang (near our flat), Q. Tan Binh
Chateau Franco-Viet restaurant in a ex-gov villa and garden compound (al fresco dining in a lit up garden, family-run), 123b Tổ 19 Khu phố 2, phường 1, Quận 10
Bonjour Resto' French Restaurant (very affordable, USD 5.50 for a steak, salad, bread, and fries), 195B Hai Ba Trung (near Novotel), P6, Q3
The Hungry Pig (bacon sandwiches with cheese chorizo, ham and rocket, British owner, free beer with every sandwich over VND 70k from 4-10pm), 144 Cống Quỳnh, P. Pham Ngu Lao, Q1
Tapas Saigon, 53/26b Tran Khanh Du, P. Tan Dinh, Q1
Zeus (Greek souvlaki, dolmades, gyros..., average prices), 164 Cong Quynh, Q1
4P pizza place (stone oven), Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Buzza Pizza (Gorgonzola pizza & 4 cheeses pizza, carbonara, 50% with members card), 5-7-9 Nguyen Trung Truc, P Ben Thanh, Q1
Le Crespo Pizza (overpriced 12" 4 cheeses pizza on thin stone-baked base with honey and chilli oil on the side for VND 200k, friendly host chi Ophely, grew up in Geneva), near the Starbucks on the New World hotel roundabout, Q1
Au Parc (French), 23-25 Han Thuyen, Q1
Mediterranean:
------------------
Warda (food and sheesha), Hem 71 Mac Thi Buoi (near crossing of Dong Khoi), Q1
Korean Food:
--------------
Gogi chains or King BBQ chains
Ga com nuong Han Quoc (sticky rice and BBQ-flavoured rotisserie grilled chicken served on a hot skillet + cheese toboki, r3 85 3 Hưng Phước 4 (road running parallel between Duong So 6 and Le Van Thiem), Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh
Pop Fries (chips with all sorts of toppings), 273 Phan Xich Long, Q. Phu Nhuan OR 14M Quoc Huong, Thao Dien, Q2
Choi Go Jip (authentic and good location but expensive), 11 Công trường Mê Linh, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Japanese food:
------------------
SORAE Sushi & Sake Lounge (11:30-14h set lunch, VND 150k), 24th floor AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Q1, 0838272372 for reservations
4Ps Japanese pizza, 168 Võ Văn Kiệt, Quan 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Blanchy St. (Japanese fusion in a former opium factory courtyard), 74 Hai Ba Trung, Q1
Tokyo Deli, 240 Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Sushi Bar, 2 Le Thanh Ton, Q1 OR 2F Saigon Court, 149 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Q3
Uraetei BBQ, 2A Ngo Van Nam, Ben Nghe, Q1
CLOSED DOWN Tokyo Town (bright lantern decorations), 188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Q3
American Junk:
-------------------
Quan Ut Ut (BBQ ribs, sausage & pork belly place with Platinum beer), Vi Van Kiẹt (near where it crosses with Nguyen Thai Binh, park under the bridge then head left on Vo Van Kiẹt.
ESPY Pizza (giant pizzas), 154 Cong Quynh, Dist 1, HCMC, 0838377555, 0966543352
Chucks Burgers, 73 Pasteur St. OR 196 Le Lai, Q1
Soul Burger (gourmet burgers around VND 300k per persons), 4 Phan Boi Chau (first floor above the nail salon), East of Ben Thanh market, Q1
Other burger places mentioned in reviews: Snap Cafe, Elbow Room
Hard Rock Cafe, Kumho Asiana Plaza, 39 Le Duan Street, Q1
Something different:
-------------------------
Noir Dining in the Dark (served by blind waiters and waitresses in pitch black), 180D, Hem 178 Hai Ba Trung (almost opposite Saigon Square), Q1
Shanty West Indian Curry (VND 88k) & Jerk (VND 100k) Chicken (run by Japanese guys, lunch Fri-Sat 11:30-14:00, dinner Tues-Sun 19:00-23:30), 36 Chu Manh Trinh (behind Sofitel), 01289890184
La Fiesta Mexican, 13 Dang Thi Nhu, Q1
Khoi Thom Mexican place, 29 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, P6, Q3
Tippy's Mexican, 99 Duong so 99, P6, Q4
Diegos Taco Shop (has a book exchange club where we get to 'take a book and/or leave a book'), 41/9 Co Giang, Q1
#tacos #ceviche #eastsidefries
Catch and cook your own fish, Thap Nga, Binh Xuyen2, At Nguyen Huu Tho, Phuoc Kien, Nha Be
Harry Potter-like experience (eat, drink, make cakes, make handicrafts), Thi Tran Ba Cay Choi, 61 Ho Xuan Huong, P6, Q3 (9am-10pm)
Top-end eating:
-------------------
Restaurant Bobby Chin, The Link, Kumho Asiana Plaza Saigon, 39 Le Duan, Q1
La Villa (French), 14 Ngo Quang Huy, P. Thao Dien, Q2
The Deck Saigon (on the river, call to arrive at your table by boat!), 38 Nguyen U Di, P. Thai Dien, Q2, 0837446632
Cafés:
--------
Caphe An Nam (Live VN music everyday starts around 7pm, basement, VND 200k per drink), 52 Truong Đình, P7, Q3
Piano cafe (classical triplet everyday around 7:30pm), 17 Ho Xuan Huong, Q3
Order individual cup paper filter coffee contraptions, Emotional Sublimation co., esocoffee.com, Vincom Centre, 72 Le Thanh Ton, 0937222386
Indika cafe (Matt Ryan, owner, Salesian), 43 Nguyen Van Giai (near Jade Emperor Pagoda), P Da Kao, Q1
Cong Caphe (Cot dua cafe/ coconut milk coffee is a gem), Catinat apartment (old USAID office and CIA Boss Lodging), 22 Ly Tu Trong OR Bui Vien
Villa Royale Antiques & Tearoom (tea and scones), 3 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, Q2
L'Usine cafe and shop, Le Loi OR 2nd floor above the art gallery and souvenir shop on Dong Khoi (next to LV store), Q1
Lots of tea and coffee places in the building next to LV store on Dong Khoi (ground floor has souvenir shops, enter through the art arcade), Q1
M2C (Modern Meets Culture - good place to work), 44B Le Quy Don (crossing with Vo Van Tan), Q3
C15 cafe (24/7), 243 Le Van Sy (opposite Adam and Violet and Edena shops), P13, Q3
The Vintage Emporium (swanky), 95b Nguyen Van Thu, P. Da Kao, Q1
Heritage Cafe (24/7, play with British bulldogs), 10 Pasteur Street, Q1
Nomad cafe (chic kids cafe but no AC, has a architects place and shop selling movement trackers attached to it), middle of Hem 5, Nguyen Dinh Chieu (which connects with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai)
Cheesecake ngon (mission, run by Aussie, Nathan Milner, ex-HIF) cafe, 44 Truong Quyen, P6, Q3
I Love Kem (mix and match icecream from good selection of flavours and toppings, VND 27k per 100g), 355 Le Van Sy (opposite Sumi BBQ), P1, Q. Tan Binh
Moon & Sun Fresh Ice Cream, Hẻm 145 Hai Bà Trưng, alley next to Canalis
Osterberg Ice Cream, 212 Lè Lai, Ben Thanh, Q1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District 1
iKem (ice cream made with liquid nitrogen in front of you, VND 60k-100k), 53B Nguyen Du(near crossing with Hai Ba Trung), Q1
Caphe Mien Dong Thao (along the train track heading north east to Hanoi), 221 Nguyen Trong Tuyen (Just South of the train track), P8, Q. Phu Nhuan
ATC rooftop cafe (part of a furniture store and has comfy hanging chairs), nice in evenings as looks over 268b Nguyen Van Troi and there's a nice breeze created by the low rise building next door, Nguyen Van Troi, Q3
http://www.nomadicnotes.com/travel-blog/ho-chi-minh-city-cafes/
Cakes & Ale (Chic cafe) is at 6B Cong Truong Quoc Te, Q3, HCMC — down the Papa’s Café alleyway, up one flight of the stairs to the left of Papa’s. Check facebook.com/cakesandale23 for more info
Container Cafe (everything's recycled), 1 Hoa Lan, P2, Q Phu Nhuan
Kujuz cafe (building made of windows and doors), 50k/glass or 100k unlimited drink within a day), 5 Tran Quy Khoach, Tan Dinh, Q1, 8am-8pm
House Coffee (Beach Cafe sand, waves, deck chairs...), HAVE TO MAKE BOOKINGS SOME HOURS BEOTE VISITING BECAUSE ONLY 12 SEATS, 408 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, P5, Q3
Toilet Cafe (sit on toilets, tables are washing basins, 29/2A Road 2D, Q Binh Thanh
Du Mien Tree House and Garden Cafe, 7 Phan Van Tri, P10, Go Vap
Cafe Ghe Dau (smart little street cafe under tree, good in evening), Đường Hoa Phượng (cross with Duong Hoa Mai), Phu Nhuan
10 Incredible HCM Cafés (2012) http://www.nomadicnotes.com/travel-blog/ho-chi-minh-city-cafes/
Nha ga 3A (creative space), 9am-9pm, 3A Ton Duc Thang, P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Minus 180 degrees tra sua (flavoured milk with jelly and tapioca balls), 2 for 1 Thursdays, 74 Vo Van Tan, P8, Q3.
Miền Đồng Thảo, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Cafe Trầm, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Cafe Nến, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Du Miên, , Q1 (near the cathedral)
Co-working space:
-------------------
Citihub co-working space, 93 Bis. Nguyen Van Thu, P Dakao, Q1
WorkSaigon co-working space, 267/2 Dien Bien Phu (just South of crossing with Tran Quoc Thao), Q3
Dreamplex co-working space, 21 Nguyen Trung Ngan, P Ben Nghe, Q1
Drinks (bars and clubs):
----------------------------
Saigon Cigar Club (all Cuban, min USD 25, 20% off all cigars every Sunday 14:30-17:30h), 24th Flr AB Tower (in SORAE lounge), 76A Le Lai, Q1, REQUIRES RESERVATION 0902426976
SORAE Sushi & Sake Lounge (17:30-20h happy hour, 50% on cocktails), 24th floor AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, Q1, 0838272372 for reservations
BiaCraft (ales), 90 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, Q2
Pasteur Street Brewing Co. (IPA is best but pricey), Hem 144 Pasteur, Q1
Hops Beer Garden, 43 Nguyen Dinh Chieu (just before hitting Hai Ba Trung), Q3
Liquid Sky Bar (roof of the Renaissance Hotel), 8-15 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Q.1
Social Club Saigon (rooftop bar with pool and live music every night, 50% off drinks and small plates 17-20h everyday), 23rd Floor, Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery (USD 150/night, great views of the Notre Dame, parks, and Independence Palace), 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
Glow Sky Bar (one club room and big outdoor table space and dance floor), 13th Floor, President Palace building (Starbucks on ground floor), 93 Nguyen Du, Q1
Cobalt rooftop bar, Pullman Saigon Centre, 31st Floor, 148 Tran Hung Dao, Q1
Chill Sky Bar, 26-27th Floors (happy hour between 17:30 and 20:30), AB Tower, 76 Le Lai St., Q1, +84838272372
Shri Rooftop Bar, 23rd Floor, Centec Tower, 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Q3, +8438279631
Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar, Caravelle Hotel, Lam Son Square, Q1
OMG Rooftop Bar (David and Antoine know the French owner), 8th Floor, Tan Hai Long Hotel, 15-19 Nguyen An Ninh, Q1, +84937200222
The View rooftop bar (cheap drinks), 195 Bui Vien, P. Pham Ngu Lao, Q1
Cube Bar DJ venue (D&B nights - Hugh G, Will H, & Dan K), 31B Ly Tu Trong, Q1
Observatory DJ venue by the river (in the building opposite the big wooden ship in the same premises as Cargo), Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
OLD LOCATION The Observatory, Corner of Le Lai and Ton That Tung, Q1
Cargo DJ venue, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
Caramen Flamenco Bar, 8 Ly Tu Truong, Q1
Blanchy's Tash Bar (DJs), 95 Hai Ba Trung, Q1
CLOSED Uprising Bar (Acoustic Saturdays start at 8pm; Platinum pale ale (40k/glass; 265k/2.5L; owner is Leki, a Sri Lankan that's lived in HCM for 13 years and married to a Vietnamese. Used to manage a resort in Phan Thiet then opened a graphic design company an likes music so opened the bar in Sep '15) & Stowford cider), 420/6 Le Van Sy (alley opposite KFC), P12, Q3
Saigon Ranger (Bar/Indoor event space), 5/7 Nguyen Sieu, Q1
Yoko Cafe (Pasteur St. IPA VND 90-100 per 330ml, owner is Mr. Anh, Opening Hours: 08:00 – 24:00 (Live music from 21:00 Tues-Sun), 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, Q3
Piano Cafe (pianist, guitarist and celloist playing Vietnamese and other songs good atmosphere), 27 Ho Xuan Huong, P6, Q3
Sax n Art jazz club (18-00h), 28 Le Loi, Q1
Snuffbox (Jazz & cocktail bar), 14 Ton That Dam, Q1
Saigon Soul Pool Parties (Sat afternoons, VND 200k except during monsoon), The New Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai, Ben Thanh Ward, Q1
La Fenetre Soleil, 44 Ly Tu Truong, Q1
Woodstock Live Music (every night, gets busy on Fri and Sat at around 8-9pm), 39 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, P6, Q3
Acoustic Live Music Bar, 7pm-midnight, 6E1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, Q1
Cargo (DJs), 3pm-midnight Weds to Sun, 7a Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
Sights:
---------
Night flower market (& Cambodian food due to a big diaspora living there), Ho Thi Ky street & Tran Binh Trong street (but market falls within the triangle made by Le Hong Phong, Hung Vuong, and Ly Thai To streets), Q10
Leisure:
----------
Long graffiti wall along 15B Le Thanh Ton, Japanese area, Q1
Vietnam House Craft Emporium (9am-6pm everyday), 187 Nguyen Van Huong, P. Thao Dien, Q2
Khu Du Lich Suoi Mo (park with a waterfall), duong so 11, Long Bình, 9
Église Huyện Sỹ (beautiful exterior and interior, constructed in 1902-1905, corner of Nguyễn Trãi and Tôn Thất Tùng, Q1
Dong Dao live music venue (book tickets, 164 Pasteur, P. Ben Nghe, Q1, phongtradongdao.vn, 0918488585
Ticketbox.vn - event ticketing site
San khau ca ngac Trong Dong (Outdoor Theatre), 12b Cach Mang Thang 8 (crosses with Nguyen Du), Q1 (0883291292/0838277940/0883291292)
Galaxy Cinema (VND 75k per ticket late show weekday), Nguyen Du (one-way street after Dang Tran Con, Q1.
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6. --> Thien Hau Temple (old Chinese temple), 710 Nguyễn Trãi, phường 11, Quận 5; food http://m.kenh14.vn/doi-song/7-mon-an-nhat-dinh-phai-thu-khi-den-cho-lon-sai-gon-2014101501173875.chn
Van Thanh Resort (Restaurants, cafés, tennis courts and a swimming pool with sun loungers - pool open until 7:45pm and is VND 60k/day) 48/10 Dien Bien Phu, P22, Q. Binh Thanh
List of swimming pools in HCMC - http://vietnamcoracle.com/top-5-public-swimming-pools-saigon/
Ramana (4 star) small (shallow end is very shallow and difficult to swim) rooftop swimming pool and small gym (VND 100k per day), near where Le Van Sy crosses Tran Huy Lieu, Q3
Dam Sen Park & Water Park, No. 3 Hoa Binh Street, Ward 3, Q11
Tao Dan (10ha, replica NHA Trang Cham temple), Q1
23/9 Park (popular with students learning English during the early evening), Le Lai Street & Pham Ngu Lao Street, Q1
Gia Dinh park (running track, sand and water playground for kids), Hoang Minh Giam, Q. Phu Nhuan
Museum of Fine Arts, 97A Pho Duc Chinh, Q1
War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Reunification Palace, 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Q1
Museum of Vietnamese History, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Q1
The Ho Chi Minh Museum (Nha Rong Harbor), 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4
F'Miss spa (clean & professional, Linh receptionist, +84 8 38447296, buy bundle that works out as VND 100k for 90min body massage), Địa chỉ : 155 Trần Huy Liệu, Phường 8, Quận Phú Nhuận OR 31/1 Ung Văn Khiêm, P25,Q Bình Thạnh, Tp, HCM
Blind massage (em Chieu, sinh nam '94, nha o Tien Giang, em hoc va lam o dai 14 nam roi), VND 60k per hour (tip VND 40k), VN Institute of the Blind, 185 Cống Quỳnh, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Q1
Mach's Gym (modern with AC, VND 680k/month, 06:00-21:30 mon-sat and 10:00-18:00 sun), 1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua (near KWP), Q 1
Push Climbing Wall (VND 100k for 1 hour with a group of 5 OR VND 200k per day including all hire), in Saigon Outcast, 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, Q2, 0126 47 22 134
Bollywood dance classes on Tues, Thurs & Sat (19:35-20:35) for VND 500k/month @ Dang Ngoc Spa, 1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Q 1
Food Shopping:
-------------------
Golden Gerbera Mart (Small and cheap western shop that often discounts edible out-of-date stuff by 50%), 71 Tran Huy Lieu (crossing with Huynh Van Banh), P12, Q3
Phuong Ha 1 (Well-priced Western food and drink + Indian spices), 58 Ham Nghi, P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Binh Dien wholesale fruit and veg market, Q7
Indian spices from Cari anh Hai in block 867-875-919 (North-East corner). In Ben Thanh market. If you cannot find the shop you can ask around, they will show you. The shop is quite famous.
Esocoffee (paper filters for individual cups, VND 100k per pack of 10), Mr. Ha is he owner, office in Vincom, 0937222386
Vinmart supermarkets now sell Fullers London Pride for around VND 60k per 330ml bottle
Regional Beer/international soft drink wholesalers, Hẻm 666 Đường 3 Tháng 2, P14, Q10
Annam Gourmet Foods (good selection of British beers, world cheeses and cold-cuts but pricey), 16-18 Hai Ba Trung (crosses wih Dong Du), P. Ben Nghe, Q1
Nam An Market (hot cross buns), Thao Dien, Q2
Crumbs (hot cross buns), Q7
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6.
Non-food Shopping/Services:
-----------------------------------
iService (Official Apple maintenance, English speaking, VND 400k for MacBook service, Mon-Fri 9-12 13:30-17:30, Sat 9-12), D House building, 39 Nguyen Thi Dieu, P10, Q3, 0866832592, 0839305837
IKNOW Mac hardware and software shop, Thao Dien St, Q2
VN trainers and flip flop shops, Southern end of Ly Chinh Thanh, Q3
Zakka clothing and accessories shop, patterns designed by Japanese designer. Good quality cotton and silk products, 73 Pasteur St., Q1
Thuy's Tailor shop (Ben Thanh market stall no. 385-387-431; custom-made suits for VND 1.5mln, blazer VND 1mln, shirts VND 500k), shop: 0835201706, home: 0838253052, mobile: 0903676402, phucvx2000@yahoo.com
3D print shop, 130 Bis, Tran Huy Lieu, P15, Q. Phu Nhuan, HCM, cafein3D.com
Stainless steel home furnishing (drying rails, tables, stools, chairs), 640 Xo Viet, P25, Q. Binh Thanh
Big cardboard boxes, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Q4. OR crossing of Nguyen Du and Hai BA Trung, Q1
Wood pieces & carpenters (doors, windows, banisters), northern end of Ba Hat (where meets Go Gia Tu), P9, Q10
Viet My Luxury/sports car bodywork shop, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh (next to Cargo), Q4
2Day Sale Student Bazzar (in a 4-floor house), 16 Nguyen Thai Binh, Q1
Board Games Saigon, 796/2a Su Van Hanh, Q10
Board game shop, near Snap Cafe, 32 Tran Ngoc Dien, P. Thao Dien, Q2
Cobblers, Tran Quang Dieu (North-side of Le Van Sy), Q3
Dung Locksmiths, mobile shop but usually outside 29 D2, P25, Q Binh Thanh in the mornings, 0909903147
Nice embroided shirts and dresses for elder ladies, Anh Vy Fashion, 402B Hai Ba Trung, Q1
Wadonka Outdoor Sports Shop, 6 Nguyen Phi Khanh, P. Tan Đình, Q1
Mattresses st, Bach Dang, Q Binh Thanh
Toc Yeu Hair Korea (affordable women's haircuts), 137 Nguyen Van Dau, P7, Q. Binh Thanh
Ti Ly Hair &Nails Salon, 60/66 Ly Chinh Thang, P8, Q3, 0902 35 09 90
Average design and quality Ao Dai fabrics, 57 Thu Khoa Huan, Q1
Ao Dai tailor, Pasteur St. (Near where it meets Trần Quoc Toan), Q3
Bacchus Corner Wine & Spirits (Laphroaig 10yrs VND 1,815,000), 9am-9pm, 158D Pasteur, Q1, +84838293306, info@bacchuscorner.com
Dong Ho Sai Thanh (watch and watch strap change shop), 246 Huyen Van Banh, P11, Q Phu Nhuan
Wedding planning - www.marry.vn
Wedding photos/video - www.muacuoi.vn
Wedding dress shops, Ho Van Hue, Q. Phu Nhuan
Print shop, banners, and signs street - Hoa Hong Print Shop (colour laser, wedding invitations), 156 Ly Thai To, P1, Q3
Glass bottle/jar seller, 189 Vo Thi Sao (before the crossing with Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), P7, Q3
Non-electrical home appliance shop, Thanh Uyen, 198 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, P6, Q3
Music equipment & DJ Gear, Southern end of Dien Bien Phu, Q1
Musictool (DJ and sound production equip), 4th floor, BlueSea building, 205B Hoang Hoa Tham, P6, Q. Binh Thanh
Audio Technicians (cables, speakers...), 97 Truong Dinh, P6, Q3
2nd hand hifi systems, Ly Nam De, Q11
Speakers, Nguyen Kim, P6, Q10
Canon Service Centre, corner of Trần Hung Dao and Bui Vien
Reliable camera fixing shop, Khanh Long Camera shop, 39-41 Huynh Thuc Khanh, Q1
Tissot + Lammy + Cohiba Showroom, 115 Nguyen Hue, Q1
DOJI diamond and jewellery shop, 161 Hàm Nghi, Q1
Sports shops, Le Van Sy (near T junction with Hoang Van Thu), Q3 OR 1-12 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Q 1
Bike Cafe (road and XC bike sales and repairs), 133 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen (near Ga Saigon/train station), P.10, Q.3
2nd hand road bike (French, Italian, Japanese) and components sales (a. Dang, +84 91 8842228), 46 Ly Nam De OR 52 Ly Nam De, Q11
2nd hand road and XC bikes (Chu Dinh & Co Cuc), 116 Pham Huu Chi, P15, Q5
2nd hand USA road and XC bikes (a. Phat), Hem 529 Dien Bien Phu, P3, Q3
Big motorbikes 600cc+, 151 Dien Bien Phu (before the bridge on the side heading from Q2 towards P. Da Kao, Q1), Q Tan Binh
Motorbike parts, around Pham Huu Chi, P15, Q5
Helmet fixer, corner of Đường Châu Văn Liêm and the roundabout, Q6
Standard Chartered Bank (2nd floor) VN, 37 Ton Duc Thang Street, Q1
Chợ Lớn (China Town), It lies on the west bank of the Saigon River, having Bình Tây Market as its central market. Cholon consists of the western half of District 5 as well as several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6.
Pen refills + Duck tape, Ngoc Tuyen, 151 Hai Thuong Lan Ong, P13, Q 5
Viet Uc Translation Company (anh Thanh), 8am-5:30pm, 95A Pasteur, P. Ben Nghe, Q1, +84862565777
Goodwill safe shop, 81 Vo Van Tan, Q3
Fan fixer, fan and padlock stall in Cho Nguyen Van Troi (small street side), opposite the Vinamilk shop (approximately 276), Ly Van Sy, Q3
Gardening shops, Nguyen Huu Tho (just south of Cau Kenh Te
Pet shops, Southern end of Le Hong Phong, Q10
Hotels:
---------
Budget:
Madame Cuc Hotel (VND 250-300/night twin/double/triple; most staff speak good English; 8 floors and no lift), 64 Bùi Viện (next to the police station), Q1, m: +84903906250, t: +84838365073, @: madamcuc@hcm.vnn.vn
Hong Kong Hotel (separate sex sleeping pod dorms (1 person per pod) with lockers, USD 8-9 per night), 22 Bui Vien, Q1
Mid-level:
CLOSED BUT REOPENED UNDER NEW NAME Golden Rose Hotel (3 Star, nice decor, good English service, clean, quiet, gym, USD 25 (long-term rate > 1 month)-30 per night, wifi pw: 38233378), 3A Vo Van Tan St. (Close to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, and Cathedral), Ward 6, Q3, +84382 333 79
Top-end:
Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery (USD 150/night, great views of the Notre Dame, parks, and Independence Palace, live music bar at the top), 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
Rex Hotel (Historic hotel where Yanky journalists used to write during the US invasion), Corner of Nguyen Hue and Le Thanh Ton, Q1
Caravelle Hotel (one of the oldest 5-star hotels in VN, opening Christmas Eve 1959), 19 Công trường Lam Sơn, Q1
Hospitals/Dentists:
----------------------
Ashish Kanchan's recommended dentist (Dr. Khoa speaks VN only but staff can interpret), 199 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (crosses Nguyen Cu Trinh), Q3
Van Hanh General Hospital (4th Floor, Blue Cross), Hẻm 781 Lê Hồng Phong 781/B1, P14, Q10
Bệnh Viện Từ Dũ (HOSPITAL), 106 Cống Quỳnh, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Q1, Hồ Chí Minh
Benh Vien Tam Than (Mental hospital), 766 Đường Võ Văn Kiệt, Q5
Immigration Office:
------------------------
For foreigners (Mon-Sat 8-11:30am; 1:30-4pm; AM on Sat only), Ministry of Public Security & Immigration, 254 Nguyen Trai)
For Vietnamese 191 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3
People's Committee of District 1 AKA Uy Ban Nhan Dan Quan 1 (certified copies, certified translations), 47 Le Duan (next to the cathedral), Q1
Ho Chi Minh Justice Department (7:30am-11am and 1pm-5pm, certified translation, criminal record check), 141 Pasteur (between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Dien Bien Phu), Q3
Tax Department:
-----------------
63 Vũ Tông Phan St., An Phú Ward, Dist. 2, Hồ Chí Minh City, Tel: (08) 37 702288.
Churches:
------------
International Christian Fellowship (Methodist foundation but interdenominational led by Pastor Leslie Lim & Pastor Albert Low, pragmatic messages for business people congregation), Sunday Service in English at 10:30AM, smart casual dress code, 4th Floor, Hoa Hung Nha Tho Tin Lanh, 625D Cach Mang Thang Tam Str, P15, Q10
Agape Evangelical Church (Sundays in VN: 9-10:30am; EN: 5:30-7pm), 15 Tu Xuong, P7, Q3
The Well English service at 11am on Sundays, led by Tom Castor), Khanh Hoi Church, 98 Le Quoc Hung St., Q4, HCMC
Kỳ Đồng church (Mass is held at 5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:00 pm), 38 Ky Dong, Q3
Notre Dame Cathedral (Nha Tho Duc Ba), English service at 9:30am, Ben Nghe Ward, Q1
New Life City Church, 9am Sundays, 112 Mi Kim 2, Q7
Permanent Living:
----------------------
Free haircuts every other Saturday by Truong Day Nghe Minh Dang (Q12) students (Teachers name is Hung), corner of Truong Sa and Ngo Thoi Nghiem, Q. Phu Nhuan
Chi Yen (Antoine's state agent) - +84937532678
Many people live far away from their office. The easiest thing is that you live right in the District 3. Otherwise, you can live in district 4, district 10, district 7, district 2. However, the district is also large itself, some areas are crowded, some areas are not.
Standard Chartered multi-currency account (passport and visa), Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30, Saigon Trade Center, 1st Floor, 37 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, HCMC, 0839110000, Swift code: SCBLVNVX.
Resources:
--------------
Any Arena - Events
Ticketbox.vn
TNH - All
Day/weekend trips:
-----------------------
Online bus bookings, Phuong Trang Bus Company Futa Buses, Futabus.vn/en-us/, 327C Le Hong Phong, Q10 (multiple offices), 019006067
Thanh Buoi Bus Co, 266 Le Hong Phong, Q10, 0838306306
Nui Sam (holy Sam mountain, annual festival in the lunar month of April), near Chau Doc (250km (6 hours) from HCMC on the border of Cambodia where the Mekong River splits), trek up the mountain and stay in Victoria Hotel, infamous for it's infinity pool with views of the paddy fields below. Canh chua ca is the specialty. Also visit Tra Su mangrove forest (Rừng Trà Sư), which is home to many rare birds and has boat tours from around VND 150k for 2 people. Nice lakes: Hồ Tà Pạ or Hồ Soài So (largest man-made lake on An Giang for irrigation) at Núi Cô Tô (has cave complexes that were used to fight the Americans)
Bull running festival (Lễ Hội đua bò Bảy Núi, coincides with the Dolta festival to pray for ancestors' happiness, end of Aug each year), Bảy Núi (7 mountains) area, An Giang province
Bo Tu (young beef) Cu chi, Bo Tu Truong Lac, To 1, Ap Phu Hoa, Xa Phu My Hung Đường Trung Lập (Near Cu Chi tunnels), Cu Chi
Kê Gà cove and lighthouse, travel on national highway 1A from HCMC to Thuan Nam, turn right, and go straight for 20km
Vuon Xoai Activity Resort (Paintballing, ostrich racing, small water park), Bien Hoa, Đồng Nai
Bo Cap Vang Activity Resort (watersport inflatables, swimming, quad bikes, ...), AP3, Phuoc Khanh, Nhon Trac, Dong Nai
Bao Loc Southern edge of Central Highlands
Dalat (hills, waterfalls, canyoning)
Phan Rang former Champa capital (Coastal) city (architecture and people), overnight train ideally over 3-day weekend
Can Gio: beach (not very clean and large but still ok), mangrove forest, monkey island and cheap fresh seafood (60km from Dist 1 - can go by motorbike, it would be fun)
Viet Cong's Cu Chi tunnels: historical site (35km from Q1)
Giang Dien Park: http://giangdien.com.vn/gioi-thieu/gioi-thieu-chung/gioi-thieu-ve-thac-giang-dien/ (60km from Saigon), 104/4 ấp Hoà Bình, X. Giang Điền - H. Trảng Bom, T. Đồng Nai.
Ba Ra Mountain (720m high; start trek at Thac Mo village; 1,767 steps on the trail up), Phuoc Long Province, 180km from HCMC
Vung Tau beach: 2 hours by bus or 3-4 hours by motorbike (bikes aren't allowed on the highway) Zenna Pool Camp is an upmarket beachside camp site with pool, lounge areas, outdoor BBQ spots... (https://m.facebook.com/ZennaPoolCamp/)
Suoi Tien Park - Amusement park for kids
Dai Nam amusement park (Binh Duong province)
Cat Tien National Park - trekking, cycling, kayaking, crocodile lake, stay in a park rangers' stilt house, elephants, bears, gibbons, gaur - Tai Lai Longhouse (hire traditional houses 30 people), Tan Phu, Dong Nai, +84974160827, info@talai-adventure.vn, www.talai-adventure.vn
Other provinces (easily reach by bus): Mekong Delta like Can Tho, Vinh Long, My Tho, Ben Tre..., Da Lat, Mui Ne beach, Dong Nai...
Phu Quoc island - Sao beach and Long beach for swimming and snorkelling, Dinh Cau beach for sunsets, and Khem or "kem" beach (narrow and only reachable be motorbike or foot) for a more local and chilled out beach, and Ong Lang jungle beach
High wire (tree-level) and forest zip wire at Alba Thanh Tan Hue hot spring, Hue
Son Dong USD 3k/person and only 500 permits per year (largest cave in the world (5km long) with underground river and 70m long stalagmites) and Va Cave (cave with conical formations in blue-green water), Phong Nha National Park, Ke Bang (between Vinh and Hue), Quang Binh, Dong Hoi city has the nearest airport
Ghenh Da Dia tubular rock formations near Tuy Hoa city in Phu Yen, 1-hour motorbike ride
Thursday, 24 March 2016
Hanoi, Vietnam - Eat, Drink, See, Do, Shop (Last updated July '15)
Hanoi, Vietnam - Eat, Drink, See, Do, Shop (Last updated July '15):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USD 1 = 21,000 (Informal money changer)
Noi Bai Airport to centre of Hanoi = VND 350,000-400,000 (USD 17-20)
Centre of Hanoi to Noi Bai Airport = VND 200,000-300,000 (USD 10-15)
VND 80k-90k to change the inner tube.
VND 15k to fix a puncture
Language:
-------------
O ô ơ = o oe uh
U ư = oo euh
A â ă = a érr á/er
Hòa đơn = receipt
Food:
------
Thùc đơn - menu
Hoá đơn - receipt
Mâng về - take away
Ngô chiên - deepfried corn
Com binh dan (zan) - rice with lots of other foods
Mam tom - Tofu, pork-rice nuggets, rice noodles and cucumber with shrimp dip (very smelly)
Banh mi pate - baguette with egg and pork mince
Bun mien moc - glass/vermmeccelli noodles with pork balls
Ban xuan - pork in steamed rice rolls
Banh chung - steamed rice cake with meat inside (breakfast).
Bun chan gio (zoh) - boiled pork soup
Nem ran (pronounced nem zan) - deepfried spring roll.
Pho cuon - summer rolls (have around the almost island on the eastern side of Truc Bach lake)
Banh cuon - pork wrapped in steamed rice paper with slightly sweet garlicy dip (breakfast) at Thanh Van (with ca cuong aka insect juice for the dip), 14 Phố Hàng Gà), 14 Hang Ga
Banh ram (zam) it - cracker with sticky rice ball and Nem lui - rice paper wraps (Net Hue, 204b Hang Bong)
Thit chung mam tep - Pork and shrimp accompaniment to rice
Nhà hàng cơm gà Cơm Viên (rice and Xa xiu, rice and curry, roast pork, and noodles, average price VND 58k), 11 Đình Ngang (off Nguyen Thai Hoc) & B1 Family Foodcourt, Keangnam
Nem chua ran (20 x VND 5k) and ca bo (strange sweet fish fry for 1 x VND 10k, 38 Ngo Tam Thuong (off Hang Gai st)
Cơm gà rán (1 suất VNĐ 55k), 29 Ba Triệu (near Delio cafe and close to Tran Hung Dao)
Miến ngan (vermicelli with goose) place, 56 Lý Thường Kiệt
Chinese Dumpling Place (and chilli beef), Sui cao de nhat dong bac, Phố Huỳnh Thúc Kháng 102 (opposite Pho24)
Softwater Restaurant (Traditional architecture and beautiful garden by the river), 49, Road 9, F361, An Duong, Yen Phu, Tay Ho
The KAfe (funky dining, medium-high priced, 7am-11pm), 18 Đien Biến Phu
Egg pizza and rice pizza like snacks (aka bánh tráng nướng), 3 Hàng vải, old quarter
Pizza Cone or Pizza oc quay (VND 29k for 1 + VND 6k for extra cheese), 148b Bui Thi Xuan (near Vincom Towers)
Nộm (sweet-ish salad with Chinese pork and dry beef) and bánh bột lọc (clear shrimp, pork and mushroom dumpling), 23 Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, old quarter
Chen Beo (VN beef steak place), (riverside of) 192 Nghi Tam.
Meli Pizza (2 for 1 takeaway/delivery pizzas on Tuesdays & Fridays, large = VND 160k), Ngách 72-82 phố Quan Nhân, off La Thanh (on the left after the most southern flyover), 0439992942 or 0473029669 or 0903251917
4 cheeses pizza @ Capricciosa (VND 189k large), 5th Floor ofVincom Towers, 191 Ba Trieu.
Hoa Vien Brauhaus (Czech dark beer (1L), snacks (smoked stringy cheese), and food), 1A Tang Bat Ho (at the end of Tran Hung Dao)
Da Paulos Italian Restaurant, (average spend USD 50 for 2) Quảng Khánh, Quảng An, Tây Hồ
El Gaucho Argentine Restaurant (steak with blue cheese, average spend USD100 for 2), at the Morthern end of Xuan Dieu.
Cơm chay Hà Thành (VN vegan place with false meat) @ Ngo 166, (Doi Can/North side) Kim Ma then first left and it's the first building on the right with an open-air driveway that has a star fruit tree.
Bun cha place @ 102 Thụy Khuê, Tây Hồ.
Hu tiu kho (with nice crispy batter with meat inside) for 35k/bowl @ the tree on the corner of Hang Bo and Hang Can streets, just north of Hoan Kiem lake.
Bít Tết (grill plate with beef, egg and bread) street, Hoè Nhai (ride between old quarter and Monaco, Ba Dinh.
Cutisun (cheap steaks and chips, 65k-75k VND), 3, Ngo 120, Hoang Hoa Tham (Near Doi Can).
Com chay @ Nguyen Khang, Cau Giay
Sen Tay Ho, 614 Lac Long Quan (300k buffet but lots of variety)
Golden Spring, 87 Nguyen Truong To (Mid-range VN food)
New Day, 72 Ma May (Cheap VN food - good ribs), top floor balcony table is best
Swing Restaurant (nicely decorated and cost effective), 21 Tràng Tiên
Bánh giò (bì steamed bánh cuốn for VND 10k), 15 Doãn Kế Thiền, near Cau Giay.
Banh xeo and nem lui, 172 Doi Can (opposite the airforce museum).
Nha Hang An Nhan Viet Trung (VN-CHN place with good 20k VND dumplings aka sui cao nhan thit cau thao), 102 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Đong Đa.
Namaste Indian Food, 47 Lo Su
Ky Y Japanese restaurant, 166 Trieu Viet Vuong, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi
Ngao (shells in broth) và ốc (snails), 61 Xuan La
Bun Bo Nam Bo, 67 Hang Dieu (Street food)
My sao bo and che/caramel for lunch (chi Thuy's friend's mum's place), 34 Phan Bội Châu
Pho bo cua quẳy, 13 Lo Đuc
Spaghetti Box, 90a ngõ núi trúc, Ba Đinh
Cam Chan (Singaporean & Malay food), 108 K1 Giang Vo, Dong Da.
H3Q Pizza Mikki (random bakery, food, art, and clothes shop), 69 Ding Nai.
CLOSED Lean and Green (veg restaurant), 15B Trang Thi St., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi.
Good pho cuon, pho xao, chips and fried corn, 25 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach.
Bun thit nuong (tasty beef, sweeter than bun bo nam bo), 3A To Hien Thanh, just of Ba Trieu.
Good com binh (common man's lunch) place, 5 Dinh Ngang, off cua nam, Hanoi, VN.
Xoi yen (great place for xoi with all sorts of diff toppings), 35b, Nguyen Huu Huan, hoan kiem.
Snail and noodles (bun cua oc chuoi dau), 202f Doi Can.
Chicken St. (Fried chicken and fried pho noodles with beef aka pho xao bo), Ly Van Phuc, off Nguyen Thai Hoc.
Bun Bo Nam Bo (southern beef and noodles), 116/27 Lun dinh qua, dong da.
Hu Thiu - spiced pork with noodles and won ton soup on side (97 Tran Hung Dao, next to Quan 17 Cowboy Saloon, 30,000vnd).
Huong Lan Hai San Bien (seafood place), 45 Duong Nghi Tam. Good mien and grilled baby squid.
Caphe CCCP (Russian restaurant with perogis + Russian vodka and beer), So 103, Ngo 84, Phố Ngọc Khánh
Golden Malt Beer and Food (authentic Czech beef Gulash and 1L fresh dark or light beer), 34G Phố Trần Phú
Hang Thung (North of hoan kiem lake).
Quan an ngon (the market), 18 phan boi chau.
Chuon Chuon Quaa aka Dragonfly (old crumbling house), 5 Hoi Vu St., off Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, VN (+84439382555).
Quan Kien, good mixed fried rice and grilled squid with garlic, onion and mint leaves.
Eel rice porridge and depletable spring rolls place, near Dragonfly.
Highway 4 (locusts with fried lemon grass and pepper), tay ho but the chain started along the CHN-VN border.
Cha Ca La Vong (fried fish) restaurant, 107 Nguyen Truong To, truc bach, hanoi, vn.
Koto social enterprise restaurant (good fried prawn samosa-like rolls), off nguyen thai hoc and next to the Temple of Literature.
Saint Honore French restaurant (good baguettes, cheese and meat cold cuts with wine), Xuan Dieu
7 Miles (Western tourist place with a good carbonara), 25 Ngo Huyen (near Nha Tho Lon), Hoan Kiem.
Bulgarian Restaurant (rice and meat stuffed in vines leaves, rakia aka Bulgarian grape brandy), 125 Nghi Tam.
Sweets:
---------
Chè in an old VN house, 2 Cat Linh
Quà vặt Online (Order Chè online on website/Facebook, free delivery), 0936 27 27 69 or 0936 27 27 96 or 0462 93 07 15
Tofu (deserts with tofu, not too sweet), 318 Phố Huế OR 105 3C Nghĩa Tân OR 12 Hàng Luọc
Xu kem - sweet vanilla filled donut/ dumplings.
Creme caramel (caramel in VN), VietMac, 80 ly thuong kiet, Dong Da
OR 29 hang than, Hoan Kiem.
Sua Chua (Mit) aka Yoghurt with jelly and ice (and jack fruit), hoa qua, 24A Ba Trieu.
Icecream in a coconut (70,000) and good views at Baooanh cafe, on the nghi tam side of the truch bach-Tay Ho road.
Cafes:
--------
M2C (Modern Meets Culture), 4B Le Quy Don, Q3
Commune (co-working cafe), 201 Trich Sai.
Hanoi Social Club (English Breakfast Tea, ales, cider), 6 Hoi Vu, off Hang Bong
Chi Ngoc's Teashop (Yoghurt ice cream & black jelly milk tea), Ngõ 347 Cổ Nhuế, Từ Liêm
Chat & Cafe (small and good views of the Temple of Literature), East side of Van Mieu
Mint cupcake shop (hot chocolate with marshmallows), 4B Nguyễn Thái Học, after the railway track and on the left.
Hiên trà Trường Xuân (Traditional teahouse) at 13 Ngô Tất Tố (very close to Văn Miếu).
Business/Heri Tran's Classic Car Cafe, 545 Lac Long Quan, Ho Tay.
Tea Talk (Games night every weds), House no: 9, Lo 1G, Trung Yen 11C, Cau Giay (Directions: Come to 91 Trung Kinh. Turn right and Tea Talk is just 50 meters from that junction.)
Cafe Giang (Egg coffee place), Nguyen Huu Huan
Echoes Rock-themed Cafe, Ha Hoi Alley, Dong Da.
Da Chi Tra Quan (Serene tea house), 90C Nui Truc, pho Giang Van Minh st.
Cong Cafe (political cafe), corner of Dien Bien Phu and Le Hong Phong, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Cookie Jar Cafe (Nice chilled and colourful Cafe), 79d Ly Nan De, Hoan Kiem/Ba Dinh district. 25k vnd for a vn coffee.
Cafe Giang 1946 (egg coffee), 106 Nau Trung Sua (north-south highway, east of Hoan Kiem), hanoi, 15,000vnd.
Joma Bakery Cafe, Old Quarter and Tay Ho
Bars:
------
Ray, Quan (railway bar), along the railway between Le Duan and Tran Quy Cap
The Bank Entertainment (F Bank - House Music; T Bank - Hip Hop; and Sky Bank - lounge), 6th Floor, Capital Building, 41 Hai Ba Trung
Funky Buddha, 2 Ta Hien, Hoan Kiem
Face Club, 6 Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem
Taboo (pricey boat club with table service), South-West corner of Ho Tay.
Vuvuzela Bar (live music on weds or thurs), 11 Đường Nguyễn Khánh Toàn
Golden Malt Beer and Food, 34G Phố Trần Phú
Swing Lounge (live music every day between 21h and 23h), 21 Tràng Tiên
(CLOSED) Heresy Rock Club, 42 Trich Sai, Tay Ho
Sax and Friends (Live jazz every evening from 8pm), 286 Trich Sai (Near Heresy).
Noc Bar-La Scala (rooftop bar), 19th Floor, Viglacera Building, 671 Hoang Hoa Tham (West end of the street), Ba Dinh
Make Some Noise (live music bar), 46 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem.
Thwaites English Ale from 23d Hoi Vu, Hoan Kiem. 600k vnd for a mix of 12 bottles.
Bar Betta, 34c cao ba quat, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vn.
CAMA ATK cocktail bar, Hoan Kiem District.
21DegreesNorth, on the southern tip of the same small island that Thang Loi Hotel is on, Ho Tay.
District 7 bar, behind the wall along Yen Phu highway between the Sofitel and Long Bien bridge.
Press club near opera house, 1st friday.
Bao Tang Ho Chi Min bia hoi
International Bia Hoi Corner, Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen
To do:
----------------
Swimming pool at the Military Technical Academy (VND 30k-40k, public swimming 5-7:30hrs or 15:30-19hrs),100B Hoang Quoc Vietnam, Cau Giay
Indoor swimming pool and gym (VND 35k, 6am to 7pm), Hanoi National Sports Training Centre (VN national teams train here), Xuan Phuong (behind Nhung's industrial park), Tu Liem.
VN People's Air Force Museum (Mon-Thurs 8-11hrs and 13-16hrs, VND 20k), Truong Chinh st., Bach Mai district.
Habeco Brewery, 183 Dương Hoàng Hoa Thám, Ba Dinh
B52 Billiards Bar, 3rd Floor, 5 Ngo Gạch, old quarter
Flower Garden (Vườn hoa Nhật Tân), 264 Âu Cơ, Tay Ho
Fixed n Friends fixed gear cycling group
Son Dong wooden carving craft village, lang Son Dong, Hoai Duc, Hanoi (15km from Hanoi)
Dong Ho Traditional printing and painting village, Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh, Hanoi
Dinh Cong silver jewellery village, Hoang Mai, Hanoi
Viettime Golf Club (100k for 100 balls + 20k per club hired), Yen Hoa House Of Culture, where Mễ Trì, Trung Kính and Trấn Thái Tông meet.
Dong Xuan traders and general Market, 36 Dong Xuan, HK, Hanoi
Ceramic painting, opposite 24 pho yen thai
HCM Trail Museum (VND 20k), on QL 6 (to Ha Dong), in Ba La (just after where QL 218 meets QL 6)
Hypershop.vn (DJ shop), anh Long Rui works there, Cua Bac
Hanoi Cinemathique, 22 Ha Ba Trung, Ba Dinh (50k vnd, 8pm, 0439362648).
Monaco Pool Hall, pho Duc Chinh, Truc Bach.
Bat Trang pottery making and painting (10km east of Ha Noi and costs 30,000vnd for entry and one pot).
Vac bamboo craft village, south of hanoi.
Tam Quat ngươi mư (visually impaired massage with Lop, 70k VND), 23 Ngach 50, Ngo 612, De La Thanh OR Ngo 112 Ngop Khanh, Dong Da.
Hoa Binh Thanh Xuan Village Orphange for agent orange sufferers, 35 Nguyen Huy Tuong, Thanh Xuan Trung, Hanoi, +8445580214 and +8445583402.
Khoang Xanh Suoi Tien (waterfall swimming and water park, VND 100k/person + VND 20k per motorbike), off Road 84 (East of Ba Vi National Park), Van Hoa commune, Ba Vi
Food shopping:
-------------------
How & Qua (fresh fruit, salmon, and American/Aussie beef), 293 Tran Dang Ninh, Cau Giay
Hotels:
---------
Western Hanoi Hotel (USD 30/night, room 702 with jacuzzi bath tub - REQUEST UPON BOOKING), Ngo 2, Tran Thai Tong, Cau Giay.
Sofitel Metropole, Room 304 in the Old Wing has a balcony, spa is overrated, bomb shelter tour is excellent, Sapa cocktail in Angelina's is great
Living and shopping:
-------------------------
Motorbike wash in the Old Quarter, VND 25k, 15mins, 6 Nha Hoa.
Electronics shops (Authorised Apple retailers), FPT shops, everywhere.
Electronics shops (Authorised Apple retailers), Tran Anh, 1174 Lang St., Dong Da OR 2 Dai Co Vietnam, Hai Ba Trung OR 9 Pham Van Dong, Tu Liem.
Electronics shops (Authorised Apple retailers), MediaMart, 166 Pham Van Dong, Tu Liem.
Korean Clinic (VND 200k for a general check-up) in St. Paul's Hospital (near Van Mieu on the road parallel to Nguyen Thai Hoc.
Ruby Plaza (diamonds and jewellery), 44 Le Ngoc Han, Pham Dinh Ho, Hoan Kiem
High heels, North end of Phan Boi Chau
Church of the True Light (formerly City Lights, Anglican, Eng 7:30am & Vn 9:30am, 23 Do Quang (near Big C)
Apple Approved Service Centre - 208 Xa Dan, Dong Da, 0432115274
Hanoi International Fellowship - Sundays from 10-11:30am at The Hanoi Club, Yen Phu St AND Detech Tower, near My Dinh Bus Station
Anh Phong's Church - Sundays from 10:30-11:30am, Aim Cafe, Linh Lang St.
Bản sao kê - bank statement
Anton's Bikes, 108 Hang Bong, Old Quarter
Second-hand bicycles, 118 Ven hồ, Thuỵ Khuê
Dream and Win motorbike repairs and sale (USD 230-250), anh Thanh (+84 97 8060818), 95 Phố Hàm Tử Quan
antiq (fitted clothes), 18 Dien Bien Phu (under KAfe)
Time City Mall, (Water park, park, cinema)
Royal City Mall (Water park, ice rink, cinema, and bowling)
Mua Sắm (Opticians), 38C Tràn Nhân Tông
Opticians St, Ton Duc Thang (near to the University of Health)
Nice wool sweaters from Canifa shops (300k-400k VND)
Plain clothes from M2 (made in Vietnam shop), Tran Hung Dao.
Shoe tailoring at 52 Hàng Cân, close to Lương Văn Can, Hoan Kiem.
Bedding shops, Tay Son St.
Large cardboard boxes (VND 35k each), 9-11 Hàng Cân, old quarter
Cheap watch repair shop (battery change VND 100k), on the corner of the alley on the right just before the Van Mieu traffic lights on Nguyen Thai Hoc.
Passport photos (VND 55k for 6 printed photos), Nguyen Binh Studio, 42 Hai Ba Trung (meets Ba Trieu).
Passport photos, Digital Minilab Nguyen Cau (VND 60k for 4 photos), 19 Ba Trieu st. (Where Ba Trieu crosses Hai Ba Trung)
Short trips from Hanoi:
------------------------
Đồng Mô ethnic group village, Son Tay District, Hanoi
Ho ham lon (1hour away)
Ha Giang (like Sapa)
Tam Dao (like Sapa)
Co To island (beaches)
Bai Chay beach, Near Ha Long City
Hai Tien beach
Phong Nha caves
Son Doong caves
Thung Nai, Hoa Binh (like Ha Long)
Hoa Binh reservoir
Cuc Phuong
Longer Trips:
Train between Hue and Da Nang is beautiful, lush green hills on one side and beautiful sea and cove views on the other. There's also a small road that hugs the coastline and would be great for riding by bicycle/motorbike.
Kolkota, India - Eat, Drink See, Do, Shop (Last Updated Dec '15)
Kolkota, India - Eat, Drink See, Do, Shop (Last Updated Dec '15):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language:
-------------
Shojah - Straight
Mai - Left
Dainei - Right
Gurieh dao - Turn around
Bus - Stop
To eat:
---------
Nahoom's Jewish bakery, New Market
Mocambo restaurant - (Drunken prawns, lobster thermidor etc) http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g304558-d809492-Reviews-Mocambo-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Golden Dragon (Chinese restaurant) - ask Tonu http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g304558-d5237957-Reviews-Golden_Dragon-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Flurys (for tea & pastries) - http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g304558-d6216211-Reviews-Flurys-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Nizams (next to New Market) - Great kebabs, tandoori & biriyani but down to earth http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g304558-d1196505-Reviews-Nizams-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
To drink:
-----------
Royal Tollygunge club Bowling green in Maidan (tea and snacks) - Ask Pisa who is a member - http://www.indiatravelite.com/lifestyle/golfinkolkattaatroyalcalcuttagolfclubandtollygungeclub.htm
Fairlawn Hotel Bar, 13A Sudder Street (Corner of Madge Lane)
Big Ben Pub, 1 Little Russel Street (where it meets Theatre (Shakespeare) St.
To do:
--------
Prem Dham Destitute Home (Mother Teresa's Slum), Bridge No. 4, Park Circus Connector Rd.
Mother Teresa's House, 56A AJC Bose Road (opposite the Bamboo Villa Income Tax Office), take a donation http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304558-d321215-Reviews-Mother_House-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Birla Planetarium, Theatre (Shakespeare) Road (near the Metro stop)
St. Pauls Cathedral, Off Cathedral Road
Victoria Memorial Hall and Garden, Off Queens Way http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/timing.html
Ho Chi Minh's Statue, where Ho Chi Minh St. And Chowrungee (Jawaharlal Nehru) St. Meet
Armenian Church (first church in Calcutta), Old China Bazar St. (Which meets with Biplabi Trailakya St.)
Calcutta Walking tours - http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304558-d1650986-Reviews-Calcutta_Walks-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Caclutta Photo tours - http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304558-d3246297-Reviews-Calcutta_Photo_Tours-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Non-good Shopping:
-------------------------
New Market (nice to wander around and shop) - http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304558-d320042-Reviews-New_Market-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Smart Indian clothing, Prapti shop or
Manya Yavar shop, in South City Mall.
Fabindia (Hindustan Park) -http://www.fabindia.com/stores/?location=13
South City Mall (expensive mall with nice shops) - http://southcitymall.in/#/about
Aurobindo Ashram shops (organic goods, art craft) - ask Pisi
Bangkok, Thailand - Eat, Drink, See, Do, Shop (Last Updated mid-2015)
Bangkok, Thailand - Eat, Drink, See, Do, Shop (Last Updated mid-2015):
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suvarnabhumi airport to Amari Watergate/Pratnaum Market/Platinum Mall, THB 300-400 inc. tolls (off-meter)
Amari Watergate/Pratnaum Market/Platinum Mall to Don Muang Airport, THB 500 inc. tolls (off meter)
Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) by taxi (meter) - THB 350 & THB 75 in tolls (1hr), Dec '14 (Italian-Thai sky rail being built)
Basic language:
Sawa deeká - hello
Nám - water
Ahán - food
Chai - yes
Mai - no
Dái pràud - please
Phun cap - Thank you
Hong nám - toilet
Tháo lài cap - how much?
Páng maad le cap - Too expensive
Mái mì ban hã - no problem
Suáy (with a lisp on the "s") - beautiful
Food:
-------
Poonsin Chinese Restaurant (excellent crab and mushroom chao, great steamed fish with lemon juice and chili-garlic, good roasted pork; reasonable prices), 460 Visudhikasat Rd., 10200 (10mins walk north of Kao San Rd. And opposite the Hotel De Moc)
Like Love (Students' restaurant with pad Thai, lots of fried rice... And good lime juice), 81 alley on the riverside of Maharat rd and near to the junction where Maharat rd. meets Phra Chan rd (near Thammasat university).
Classic Bell restaurant (antique shop by day) Ground Floor, Atthakrawee Building, 98 Soi Sukhmvit 26, Sukhmvit Rd., Khlong Tan, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand.
Once Upon A Time (former classic Thai house), petchaburi 17
Loads of pad Thai street food on Khoasan road and surrounding areas (including Rambuttri street).
My Darling (cool bamboo-laiden place with mid-range prices), Rambuttri street.
Kuppa http://www.kuppa.co.th/
Dean & Deluca http://www.deandeluca.com/Aboutus/Default.aspx?id=202&selItemId=202&parentItemId=14 the on on Silom is my favorite location
Cafe Tartine http://www.cafetartine.net/cafetartine.net/Welcome.html lovely fresh french deli feel
Mr. Jones’ Orphanage
This is the new venue by the guy that opened Iron Fairies that we went to, Iron fairies and his fish & chips spot Fat Gutz are on Sukumvit soi 55
Has been getting mixed reviews
Hyde & Seek
This is one of my favorite restaurants in town, you need a reservation usually if you want to eat dinner there, their cocktail menu is yummy and comtempoary
It is a gastro pub, small serving size compared to american standards
VivaSviv (restaurant on the river where you can watch the cruise ships come in and is fun at twilight, small menu)
This place has the cocktails manages as the same people at Hyde & Seek so VERY YUMMY & Contemporary something that is hard to find in any bar world wide never mind Hanoi. This place is relatively near Sky Bar too.
Isao
My favorite sushi restaurant in Bangkok, very popular, on Sukumvit SOi 31 near Attic Studio, you could do both things on the Friday night, traditional and fusion sushi YUMMY!!!!!!!! http://www.isaotaste.com/ Reservation recommended -if they take them!
T & K Seafood (in China Town)
Crazy fresh seafood, yummy, good prices, outdoor street food eating experience, you may have to wait 10 minutes for a table.
Cafés:
---------
Caffeine Lover Cafe, Thanon Samsen and Thanon Wisut Kasat crossing
Drinks:
---------
Badmotel (chic bar white-washed walls, 4 floors inc rooftop), 331/4-5 Soi Sukhumvit 55, Klongton-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, 10110.
Fat Gutz Saloon (live blues), 264 Thong-lor Soi 12, Sukhumvit, Bangkok, 10110
Vertigo/Moon bar, Banyan Tree Hotel Bangkok, 21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Sky Bar read the website for the dress code, sun set is the most dramatic time up here but if you come an hour before closing time you will have a lot more space to yourself, but will have missed the live jazz band which wraps up around 10 I think (might be worth calling them to find out how late the band plays to as it adds to the atmosphere). Awesome space, EXPENSIVE drink menu even for soda, rules about where you can take photography from, basically not over the restaurant where people are dining, you can hang out on the level that the band plays on which no ever does if you want a bit more space) I love the view here, I think it is Bangkok must do, the bar has two sides to it, make sure check out both, the side with the band is superior, sometimes they try to seat people on the other side, any bags you have (even shopping bags will be checked before they will let you on the elevator)
Attic Sudios - This art studio has a party that lost of the expat/Thai art community/photgraphers/bloggers show up at around 9/10pm it is always the first Friday of the month, very friendly, will have an art show happening and be selling drinks, everyone is chatty and friendly, Just not sure if the gallery owner Elsie is in town in January to check the website or call to see if the event is on, it would be a unique non touristy thing for you guys to drop by for a bit.
Cheap Charlies (on soi 11)
Outdoor bar I tried to take us to last time but it had just closed lots of expats to chat with, cheap drinks, great place to start a night, especially since if you continue walking up soi 11 there are lots of nice bars but they have dress codes (no flip flops!) I recommend a root top bar up the street called Nest, expensive but nice view for one drink, sometimes has decent DJs http://thenestbangkok.com/
WTF (cool small art gallery/cafe/bar, small though so you might have to invite yourself to sit at someone else's table)
Also here is a link to the Bangkok Art Map http://www.bangkokartmap.com/, which has info and locations for art gallery's and shows, good resource
amBar
http://www.ambarbangkok.com/en/ Go here in the afternoon if you feel like swimming and having a drink, it is dead at this time, and you feel like you have a private roof top bar
Khao San (lots of shitty street bars with rift raft but I have some favorites here... when leaving at night you may have to talk to 3-4 taxis before you find one that agrees to use the meter)
Smith's
A small 2nd floor loungy open air feel place, always quiet and great escape from the backpackers, recommend passion fruit mojitos, have enjoyed Thai food here too, a tad tricky to find which adds to its appeal, it is on a lane that runs behind to Khao San
Brick Bar
Live Ska and raggae bands, all Thai crowd, fun place to rock out
Culture Club (near Khao San, late night dance club) there website isn't working when I tried it, not sure what that means http://www.club-culture-bkk.com/
there is a bit of information here http://www.timeout.com/bangkok/clubs/venue/1%3A25270/club-culture
Retro bar I can't remember the name of across the street from from a big hotel called Dang Derm Hotel (with a big sign that says D&D at 1 Khao San Road)
mostly a young hip Thai crowd that work in film/music/fashion, good for a drink and look around the multi floored place a the funky decorations
Two other spots you could check out are Rooftop Bar and Gazebo both have live music and over priced drinks
Things to do:
----------------
Nice grassy park with lots of kites flying and views of the Wat Prakaeo (Temple of the emerald Buddha).
River cruise (1hr for 1k Bhat for a narrow boat to yourself), tha Chang pier, Maharat rd (between the grad palace and Thammasat Uni)
Grand palace, Thawang Rd.
Wat Phra Chetuphon/Wat Pho (Temple of the reclining Buddha), Thawang road.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (temple of dawn), near Wang Doem road (on the east side of the river.
Jatujak weekend market, chatuchak park, phahon yotin road.
Shopping:
-------------
Clothing - Siam Sqaure (covent garden-esque independent shops), MBK Complex (phayathai road), Siam Square (Rama I road), Pratunam Complex (phetburi road) and Pratunam Market, Platinum Fashion Mall (phetburi road)
IT - Phanthip plaza (phetburi road)
Accommodation:
---------------------
Ecotel, 1091/333-4 New Petchburi Road 35, Rajthevee, Bangkok, 10400 (approx. £15/night in March 2013)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)