Saigon is a hustling and bustling city that is full of entrepreneurial spirit. The coffee fuelled hub is loud, chaotic, and developing but this is all part of the charm that takes you on an adventure every trip. I frequent the city very often to oversee my garment production, and being a hop skip and a jump away from Bangkok, I sometimes spend the night just for fun rather than going for the day.

I have a routine now, flying in on the first flight in the morning, spending the first half of the day in a factory, then catching a tasty lunch at Chi Hoa before hopping over to Dahn Sin market to look for vintage inspiration. I never miss the opportunity for the most delicious iced chocolate at Maison Marou, before a facial at Menard Salon (a classic Japanese cosmetic brand that have facial salons dotted throughout the city), my third coffee of the day at l’Usine, and dinner somewhere like Pizza 4Ps before heading to the airport. It’s a special place for me, and an honour to share with you my ultimate 48 hours in this upcoming South East Asian nerve centre.

Pictured above / The bar at Shin Coffee

DRINK //

Shin Coffee
This renovated shop house is a magnet for people who are more serious about Vietnamese coffee. They offer a variety of beans that lean towards dark roasted and serves well as anyone’s introduction to cafe Viet, the local style of drinking finely ground beans dripped through the iconic Vietnamese contraption that sits over a coffee cup. The rich, dark syrup-like coffee drips through into the cup and is taken with sweeten condensed milk.

Shin Coffee
13 Nguyen Thiep,
Ben Nghe,
Ho Chi Minh City

L’Usine Thanh Ton
One of L’Usine’s newer venues, the Thanh Ton space is a beautifully designed, bright an airy space with black and white marble flooring and French style bistro tables. Stepping into their luxurious Universe is a welcome breather after a day of walking around the loud city, so it’s the perfect spot to have a fresh watermelon juice or iced Marou chocolate and slice of cake.

L’Usine Thanh Ton
19 Le Thanh Ton,
District 1,
Ben Nghe,
Ho Chi Minh City

The Workshop Coffee
This spot is a testament to Ho Chi Minh’s vibrant young entrepreneurial spirit and the country’s love for coffee. The top floor coffee haven is the city’s first specialty coffee roasting house, and have become an institution for those who take their coffee seriously.

The Workshop Coffee
27 Ngo Duc Ke,
Ben Nghe,
District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

Pictured above / The Classic Marou Iced Chocolate

Maison Marou
For me, a trip to Ho Chi Minh isn’t complete without a glass of Maison Marou’s iced chocolate, made from their own single origin cocoa beans grown from small plots all over the country. Founders Vincent Marou and Sam Maruta have established a very special product that is now exported worldwide. Their famous bars of chocolate are testament to their dedication to provenance and supporting the country’s cocoa farms. Each bar wrapped in beautifully printed paper of different hues, represent a single plantation, giving the chocolate unique characteristics on the palate. It is an exquisite experience to savour.

Maison Marou
167-9 Calmette,
Nguyen Thai Binh,
District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

La Fenetre Soleil
You’ll get a taste of the city’s creative crowd up in this bar and music venue that is full of character. On the second floor of an old Colonial terrace, a decaying reminder of Ho Chi Minh city’s past, La Fenetre Soleil is energised by its nightly mob of artists, musicians, locals, and expats. The square bar is surrounded by a verandah cladded with venetian blinds, and shakes from the buzz of chatter and the boom of live music.

La Fenetre Soleil
44 Lý Tự Trọng,
Bến Nghé,
District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

Pictured Above / The Banh Mi at L’Usine
Below / Ca Fe Sua Da and eggs at Bahn Mi Op La

EAT //

Banh Mi Op La Hoa Ma
If you’re up for a street side breakfast of eggs, crusty bread, local coffee and maggie seasoning sauce, go no further.

Banh Mi Op La Hoa Ma
53 Duong Cao Thang,
Phuong 17,
District 3,
Ho Chi Minh City

The Elbow-Room Bistro
If you’re missing a hearty American breakfast, this is the place you want to be. The Elbow-Room serve all day breakfasts that are generous, well cooked, and moorish. The friendly staff make the experience here all the more delightful.

The Elbow-Room Bistro
52 Pasteur,
Phuong Ben Kghe,
District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

Chi Hoa Vietnamese Cuisine
This charming little restaurant serve really tasty Vietnamese home style cooking and classic regional street food dishes that paint a very different culinary picture in the city’s trendy down town area. Open from breakfast through til dinner, expect some very complex flavours and delicious smells from their open kitchen.

Chi Hoa Vietnamese Cuisine
P., 31A Le Thanh Ton,
Ben Nghe,
Ho Chi Minh City

Bun Bo Hue Dong Ba (Dong Ba Hue beef noodle)
I come here for a steaming hot bowl of pho quite often when passing through the area. Their Hue style soup is unctuous, and you might just have a moment with your bowl of noodles despite the sweltering hot, room. These guys layer slices of cooked, super marbled beef into each bowl, which for me, prolongs that moment of quiet happiness upon each mouthful.

Bun Bo Hue Dong Ba
110A Nguyen Du,
Ben Thanh,
Ho Chi Minh City

Pizza 4P’s
Don’t be thrown off when you see that there are a few of these joints scattered around Vietnam, Pizza 4P’s makes the best pizza in town. If you’re feeling like a break from Asian food for a night, I wouldn’t go past their Ben Tanh branch, which is just a side-step away from Ben Tanh market. The earthy yet modern eatery is warm and welcoming, priding itself on its service. Oh yeah, and they do half pizzas so that you can try more of their toppings!

Pizza 4P’s
8 Thu Khoa Huan,
Ben Thanh,
Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai
If you’re into sandwiches for dinner, you better start queuing at Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai. This street vendor is a locals favourite, specialising in the classic Vietnamese sandwich, Banh Mi, with grilled minced pork rissoles, fresh coriander, minced chilli, grated carrot, radish, and cucumber, in a crusty bread roll. They start selling around 4pm until they sell out!

Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai
37 Nguyen Trai,
Ben Thanh,
District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

KICK BACK //

Menard Facial Salon
Go no further, the Menard facials are not only the most relaxing and luxurious experience possible, but they are the best value too. Thirty dollars will get you a 90 minute full facial with a facial massage, extractions, and masking. An absolute must before you hop on a plane back home. There are a few salons across town so be sure to book the closest to you.

Pictured Above / A hand painted Vietnam War Helment / Below Lauren wearing a US Military Trench /

DIG //

Danh Sin Market
This is your one stop destination if you are looking for army surplus or vintage military gear. The east side of this electronics and plumbing wholesale market is filled with surplus army and military replicas, so watch your wallet and don’t be fooled by the extremely realistic fakes!

Antique Street
Most travel guides to Ho Chi Minh city will recommend this little street for antiques. You’ll find some very old and very beautiful blue and white porcelain, records, and brass, but make sure to bargain… things can get expensive here.