Ho Chi Minh City—formerly Saigon—combines exemplary French architecture, old-world historic locations and zooming motorists.
The quickest way to get acquainted with the city is to travel on foot. You have no choice but to walk because of the extreme traffic. You can start off at Nguyen Hue walking street, a pedestrian promenade surrounded by French colonial buildings such as the People’s Committee Hall, Opera House and Post Office. All these structures bring a slice of European grandeur to Saigon.
Since France propagated Christianity to Vietnam, several ornate churches can be found dotting around. The most spectacular church is Tan Dinh church that is known for its pink cotton candy hue, and the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon—the most impressive structure at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
District 1
Check out District 1: A melting pot of hidden bars, themed restaurants and cafes that cater to every taste and budget. The district has abundant rooftop bars and prime establishments that offer panoramic luxurious views of the entire cityscape. A remarkable addition to the district is the nine-storey cafe apartments. It is a well-preserved block, filled with a diverse range of coffee shops and brunch spots.
Before entering the building, decide on which floor and cafe you want to go to so as to avoid the maze-like hassle later. As for me, I picked the coziest cafe. I was wonderstruck by the vintage art decors and whimsical lanterns which gave the place a nostalgic vibe. Each cafe is furnished with a balcony, an awesome spot to observe the busy streets below.
Coffee culture
On every corner here, you can find mini cafes or coffee carts with plastic chairs sprawled onto sidewalks. You can observe people from all walks of life socialize while enjoying their warm cup of happiness.
Vietnamese coffee is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after coffees in the world. Saigon has a kaleidoscope of innovative flavours that makes coffee variations unique and authentic, especially for coffee enthusiasts.
Egg coffee, to me, is by far the craziest combination. History states that when milk was scarce after the war, the locals invented an inexpensive alternative to add some creaminess to their coffee by adding two egg yolks and condensed milk. The end result? It tastes like sipping hot coffee tiramisu.
If you want to cool down and break free from the heat, a glass of iced coconut coffee would surely be the best pick-me-up, a blend of traditional coffee mixed with coconut milk and fresh milk with lots of ice. What a refreshing treat!
