I zoomed down my options and chose Vietnam- Ho Chi Minh.
There are risks for traveling alone, so as adventurous as I wish to be, I thought that is better to be on a safer side by going to the city.
I flew with jetstar on a discounted fare. The total costs including airport tax is tagged at $315 for a round trip SIN-HCM-SIN.
The currency exchange rate is SG$100 = 1,650,000 Dong
My stay is at Liberty Central hotel
175-177-179 Le Thanh Ton Street,
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
It is a splendid location and sited right next to Ben Thanh market where I wanted to get the local experience at.
I arrived at noon and headed straight down to Pho24.
Pho 24 is the clean cafe franchise that is plotted all over Ho Chi Minh.
If you are a looking for a meal without any hygiene risks, this is your choice. It is not the best tasting Pho you can ever get on your palates, but it is passing and you won't bill out cursing.
The Menu is really short and simple.
The have mainly 3 meat choices for the Pho.
The side that you can order is their spring roll.
And... that's it. That's all.
But alright for me since I didn't intended to feast there, but rather, just to fill up my hunger prangs from missing breakfast.
I ordered Pho "all" which is mixed beef parts.
Overall pleasing. The soup although light, is brought to a greater stand with the individual ingredients being nicely favored, balancing and alleviating the plain soup. If the soup is too heavy, it will overwhelm the natural meat juices and taste.
very clean kitchen, pictures taken with the interior to give you a 360 degree look at the whole place.
All the peeps who knows me knows that I am crazy about Coffee and it is my life line.
I simply can't survive without coffee.
One of my favorite coffees is the Iced Viet drip coffee- which happens to be rarely seen in Singapore and if found, is priced exorbitantly.
So, I jumped at my choice of drink when I saw the menu... and I have a confession.. I ordered 4 cups of it one after another!
Ben Thanh Market
walking through a huge array of textiles, clothing, handbags and belts imposter of brands- LV, Burberry, Prada, Gucci..etc. Accessories and Caps/Hats.
I didn't purchase anything much over here. My biggest find is the Iron accessories and bracelets which are hard to get in Singapore. It has the rustic feel to it! Loves :D
I would say don't expect shopping here to be like Bangkok.
The designs here are more 90's and not typical stuff that people in their 20's-30's look out for.
It may be more eye catching to the ladies in there 40's and above.
However, if you keep your eyes peeled, you may dig out some stalls that sells things which are to your liking.
I didn't go there expecting to buy anything much, but more to experience Vietnam's lifestyle.
There is a food section there selling hawker food.
My stomach pushed my body there for some afternoon snacks!
The only form of communication I had with the Vietnamese stall holders is using very basic English with alot of hand signs.
I make my orders by looking at what I want, pointing to it and signing out the quantity of it. Asking of how much is the item and paying the bill is also by international body languages.
Vietnamese Duck rice rolls, to dip in peanut sauce.
The rice roll skin is wrapped with mint leaves, veggies and duck meat.
The had other dishes such as the below which is has prawn floss sprinkled over the rice flour pieces.
and they also have this dish which is shrimp wrapped around in rice flour paste and steamed to make it look transparent.
Steamed or cooked shelled seafood loaded into huge steel basins and scooped out into your desired plate sizes.
I love cheng tengs and had to try out their Vietnam version which looks lighter on the colour.
Conclusion: tastes as good! Even better! Their lotus seeds are so soft and fresh!
The wet market:
I found a interesting place online.
It is a Country American/Mexican Restaurant by the name of Wild Saloon located at:
8A1/D1. Thai Van Lung Street,
District 1, Ho Chin Minh City
There is live band playing live jazz, blues or country music.
It is famous throughout Vietnam as "The best Steak House in Town"
The serve Steaks, seafood, French and European specialties.
Looking upon the exterior and interior of the restaurant with barrel, wooden bar, dining booths and log cabin style decoration, you will be brought to the Wild West where Native American and cowboys on wild horses will hang out at.
Their cocktails goes at only SGD$4.
Caesar salad was what I had for starter. It is very pleasing as it was not heavy on the dressing with generous servings of bacon but not oily.
Australian Rib-eye Beef Steak was my luxury of the night.
Perfectly done with a pink center and retaining all of its juices within.
If the meat is frozen and thawed before grill, it will have alot of juices flowing out when you cut through (something like what you get from Ashton's).
However, if it is a fresh steak, the juices will not ooze out but be retained in the meat.
So, I know for sure that the Steak at Wild Saloon is not only nicely done but very fresh as well.
A good cut like this costs me ard SGD$26 which is a good deal to me.
after dinner, I am in the mood for some drinks.
With research via the free wifi at Wild Saloon,
I found a place which excites me to check out!
I made my way there dropping off the cab at Ly Tu Trong Street.
The place is Carmen Bar!
8 Ly Tu Trong
Dist.1 Ho Chi Minh City
You will be bewildered by the 2 level high stone carved building sitting on this quiet street.
The alluring red sign spelling Carmen calls out to you.
The host will lead you up the stone stairways bending through a stout wooden door.
The door opens a passionate fire blazing atmosphere even though dimly lit with candle light.
On weekends, Mexican live band sings and dances to hot Latino and Flamenco sound beats.
You will never feel like leaving this place. It sucks you into a world which is hidden and yet so full of passion.
The toilet did not fall short on the theme.
This is the height of the wooden door, you have to bend to get in ;)
