I was in a lunch meeting when my mobile phone began ringing nonstop. My best friend, Marga, was inviting me to join her and her mother to visit Ho Chi Minh. At first, I flogged down the idea. I had just gotten back from China that week and it was too soon (even too much!) to go traipsing again. After a few minutes of convincing, I relented. Before I knew it, we all had plane tickets to Vietnam and a Sofitel accommodation. What fortune, indeed!
Ho Chi Minh proved to be quite an interesting place with the unexpected number of motorcycles, urbanised façade and food joints. Among all things, HCM was a gastronimical experience apt for food lovers. Their black coffee in crushed ice and whipped with caramel is one of the most amazing concoctions I have ever tasted. The authentic Pho (along Pasteur street ) also tops my list as the best noodle soup in the region. Every spice and green leafy item that is mixed in the bowl manages to transform the Pho into something tastier, more delicious. Even the rice noodle was extraordinary.
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| the famous Pho |
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| the whole gang with Mr Goudard |
There are 2 other eating places that I loved. First is the Cha Ca La Vong, a specialty restaurant which served only one dish: Cha Ca or white fish. The fish is served Teppan-like style and visitors are tasked to mix and cook the fish with the greens and condiments available: bagoong, vinegar, chili, ginger and onion, etc. On the side are unlimited cropec (plain and with sesame seeds [or spotted cropec, as Marga would fondly call those]). Price is not steep and the serving size can be for sharing. Visiting Cha Ca La Vong will surely be a treat, even those in a budget!
Second is another teppan style eatery which is located above the popular Temple Club . Here you will find both visitors and locals enjoying the variety of raw meat and seafood products in a very casual street-type dining place. We loved their beef, skewers and especially their clams.
Apart from eating, drinking is also a must-try in this city. Although there are numerous party hotspots such as Lavish, Apocalypse, Q, etc., drinking by the streets in little red monobloc chairs can be quite an experience. At night, store owners would bring out refrigerators filled with different kinds of beer, from Heineken, Budweiser to even Tiger. Vendors selling mangoes, peanuts, cropecs, are also present for those instances wherein customers crave for something to munch. This spot is best for the laidback, low-key. Visitors are not allowed to be rowdy lest they be forced to leave. Or get caught by the police!
I was expecting rice paddies, bicycles and rural living. In return, I was greeted with good food and a great experience. I wouldn’t mind returning. If not for the food, then for some serious retail bargaining at Ben Thanh Market!
