“You forgot to say ‘Uno’!” Lang Giang cheerfully exclaims before covering her mouth in laughter. It’s the twelfth time she’s caught me this trip and blocked me from winning. By this point in our trek, day four of six, Giang feels more like a friend than my tour guide through Sapa.
Once the sun slips beneath the shimmering waves slathering the sky with soft pinks, reds and oranges, the green lamps of the squid boats strung across the horizon blink on and resemble a series of ellipses as if the ocean is trying to articulate the unsayable.
As the planet-wide dumpster fire that was 2018 comes to a close, we’d like to take a moment to look back at the year in Hẻm Gems through our first-ever Golden Plastic Stool Awards. These will honor some of our favorite local eateries from the past 12 months across four categories: Best Vietnamese Food, Best Non-Vietnamese Food, Best Ambiance and Best Cafe/Bar. We’ll also take a moment to honor our favorite Hẻm Gems that were shuttered this year.
Butcher MANZO & Craft Beer Bar’s signature are Dry-Aged Beef Steak and excellent chosen Craft Beer restaurant bar located along the heart of Le Thanh Ton Street.
In early 2018, H'Hen Nie became the choice to represent Vietnam in this year's Miss Universe 2018 competition. She also became the first Miss Vietnam from an ethnic minority.
The translucent balls one would normally identify as caviar held a secret.
While many individuals and businesses in Saigon are working to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, Quyen Nguyen and Helly Tong decided to take action even further.
Firmly established as the international school of choice in Ho Chi Minh City, the British International School is a selective, independent and co-educational day school that provides a diverse international education measured by British standards.
The very definition of cool was established decades ago in Vietnam, and it was badass women in áo dài dashing on the street in slick sunglasses.
It’s no secret that Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s best destinations.
At the risk of appearing like a pretentious prig, I will begin this Hẻm Gem review with the introduction of a foreign word: the weirdly specific concept of smultronstället.
FMP’s Saigon International Mother & Baby Association (SIMBA) hopes you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year—and is delighted to announce that our SIMBA gatherings will be resumed this month!
![[Illustrations] From Street Snacks To Homecooked Meals, Vietnam's Diverse Cuisine Illustrated](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/12/Dec21/top_images.jpg "[Illustrations] From Street Snacks To Homecooked Meals, Vietnam's Diverse Cuisine Illustrated")
![[Video] The Remarkable Rise of Landmark 81 in a 30-Second Timelapse](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/17/L81_SGRs.jpg "[Video] The Remarkable Rise of Landmark 81 in a 30-Second Timelapse")
![[Photos] Walk Into Saigon's Rarely Seen Neighborhoods in 1966-1967](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/14/allen-mckenzie/Allen1s.jpg "[Photos] Walk Into Saigon's Rarely Seen Neighborhoods in 1966-1967")
![[Photos] Vung Tau in 1970: Bars, Beaches and a Bustling Bazaar](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/7/BarryConnorsP1-2s.jpg "[Photos] Vung Tau in 1970: Bars, Beaches and a Bustling Bazaar")
![[Photos] A Stroll on the Quaint Streets of 1920s Chau Doc](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/12/Dec26/chau-doc/ChauDoc0s.jpg "[Photos] A Stroll on the Quaint Streets of 1920s Chau Doc")
![[Photos] Take a Trip Back In Time To Ong Lanh Bridge](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/12/Dec17/cau-ong-lanh/CauOngLanh10s.jpg "[Photos] Take a Trip Back In Time To Ong Lanh Bridge")
![[Photos] Vietnam's 1969 Street Fashion Story as Told Through Honda Cubs](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/12/dec12/nha-trang/NhaTrang1s.jpg "[Photos] Vietnam's 1969 Street Fashion Story as Told Through Honda Cubs")
![[Photos] A Visual Tour of Late 1960s Saigon by Brian Wickham](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/12/Dec4/brian-wickham/BrianWickham-Part1-3s.jpg "[Photos] A Visual Tour of Late 1960s Saigon by Brian Wickham")
![[Photos] 30 Black-and-White Photos of 1947 Vietnam's Landscapes by Michel Huet](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/11/Nov28/michel-huet/Vietnam1947Michel_SGRs.jpg "[Photos] 30 Black-and-White Photos of 1947 Vietnam's Landscapes by Michel Huet")
![[Photos] An Exploration Into Vietnam's History Through Black-and-White Portraiture](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2018/11/Nov21/Vietnam1947BW_SGRs.jpg "[Photos] An Exploration Into Vietnam's History Through Black-and-White Portraiture")
Da Lat, the Unlikely Home of El Salvador's Rare Pacamara Coffee Beans
In a previous life, Nguyen Van Son was an auto parts salesperson. As a gift of appreciation for his wife, he acquired a seemingly trivial plot of land in Da Lat and made it a place where the family could cultivate flowers as a summer hobby. But things changed when he was approached by some cunning businessmen who convinced him to grow coffee for quick cash: he was sold trees that never produced cherries.
![[Photos] This House in Ninh Binh Is the Antithesis of Gaudy Mansions](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/20/NinhBinh0l.jpg)
Vietnam's National Team May Play Liverpool FC This Summer
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has announced that they are in contact with Premier League powerhouse Liverpool to...
Saigoneer's Weekend Event Picks
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our favorite events happening around Saigon.
Trade Promotion Authorities Sign Partnership With Amazon Global Selling
Amazon Global Selling is a program for sellers and merchants to list their goods on Amazon's global e-commerce sites.
A History of Rice Wine, Part 2: A Traditional Craft Slowed to a Trickle
Rose-tinted shades and long swept-back hair tickling the collar of a half-unbuttoned maroon shirt that revealed a dangli...
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Has 165,300 New Firms in 2018
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook .
Each morning, we select some of the most impor...
Hoi An Requests $30m to Save Cua Dai Beach From Severe Erosion
Hoi An’s Cua Dai Beach might be wiped out completely in the near future if nothing is done to combat further erosion.
Upcoming Events
Today
14:30
Happy Hour @ Pendolasco
Tomorrow
09:30
Live your best life in Saigon! @ The Hive Villa
17:00
Holiday Photos & Free Giveaway @ East West
19:00
Capturing Form Saigon Life Drawing @ Noirfoto
Soon
23/01
Creative Sessions 12 With Thảo Vũ @ The Factory Contemporary Art Center
23/01
Ladies First @ 2 Lam Son
24/01
Trần Tuấn - The First Lesson @ Vin Gallery
24/01
Tales Saigon #2 - Change of Heart @ the Diner V
24/01
STORYtime #1 - How to be Fierce and Feminine @ El Camino
24/01
Bam Bam Pop-up: Chromeo (DJ set) @ Xing Xing Nightclub
25/01
Dance Through the Night with DJ R.O.D from Marsupials @ Park Hyatt Saigon
25/01
Saigon Supersound Vol. 2 - Release Party @ Arcan
26/01
Australia Day Pool Party & BBQ @ Hotel Equatorial HCMC
26/01
Heart Beat Presents Markus Suckut// Rekids, SCKT @ The Observatory
27/01
Noirfoto Monthly Art Salon-Show-Sale: 99under99
Full Events Calendar
Arts & Culture
Once Invisible, Saigon's Underground Scene Emerges Into Light
In just a few short decades, underground hip-hop and youth culture has gained a massive following, not only within Saigon and Vietnam, but a...
[Photos] Local Designer Created Incredibly Detailed Swallows From Paper for Tet
![[Photos] Local Designer Created Incredibly Detailed Swallows From Paper for Tet](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/15/tonbui/Swallows0s.jpg)
As Vietnam goes into full-blown Tet season, it’s impossible to talk a stroll around town without bumping into Lunar New Year imagery.
How Hemingway Inspired a Cyclist to Scale the Heights of Northern Vietnam
Former Saigon resident Dale Nottingham has conquered Vietnam’s extreme northern highlands by bicycle, climbing 22,587 meters over 1,306 kilo...
Eat & Drink
Da Lat, the Unlikely Home of El Salvador's Rare Pacamara Coffee Beans
In a previous life, Nguyen Van Son was an auto parts salesperson. As a gift of appreciation for his wife, he acquired a seemingly trivial pl...
Hẻm Gems: Lost in the Half-Childlike, Half-Adult World of 'The Little Prince'
Remember the tale about a little boy who travels planet to planet on a quest to discover and retrieve lessons about the adult world? This ca...
Hẻm Gems: Mexican Simplicity and Zen-Like Tacos in a D4 Strip Mall
Tacos, and the many meat-and-tortilla variations we often categorize as ‘Mexican cuisine,’ are having a bit of a renaissance in Saigon.
Partner Content
Savoring Phu Quoc’s Beauty with a High-Tech Cocktail in Hand
The translucent balls one would normally identify as caviar held a secret.
Unconventional Cooking Classes at Q.uriosity Culinary Center Inspire Home Chefs
When a fork breaks moist cake, releasing decadent molten chocolate, diners take notice.
Envy In The Running for a Spot in the World’s Top 100 Clubs
Envy confidently announced that it has put its name in the running for DJ Mag’s famed Top 100 Clubs competition.
A Stellar Sunset Complemented by Design and Entertainment at the InterContinental Phu Quoc
Once the sun slips beneath the shimmering waves slathering the sky with soft pinks, reds and oranges, the green lamps of the squid boats str...
ISHCMC’s Innovative New Campus Fosters Bold, Holistic Curriculums
When famed architecture firm Bogle presented their first plans for the International School of Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC)’s new secondary campu...
The Art of Living Explored at Passion Week
When you see a flower, you must not see only the flower, you must see its seeds and fruits, the loamy soil it grew from and will return to; ...
After 5 Welcomes Monkey 47 Gin
After a long hiatus, Park Hyatt’s terrace bar has returned as After 5 . Aptly named, it caters to professional crowds looking for a relaxed am...
Drinking & Healing Creates One-of-a-kind Experiences for Guests
These days it seems that a new bar opens in District 1 on a weekly basis. This is exciting for customers, as there are plenty of options and...
Devaux Beverages Stands Above the Crowd of Saigon’s Cafes
In recent years, Saigon’s food and beverage scene has grown in leaps and bounds. It’s never been easier for city residents to take a global ...
Stories
You Can Now Pump Your Own Gas at 11 Filling Stations in Saigon
The service underwent a 15-day pilot period before being officially rolled out.
Weekend Stories Roundup: Vietnam Beat Jordan on Penalties to Reach Asian Cup Quarters
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook .
Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Sa...
Japan Imposes JPY1,000 Departure Tax on All Foreign Visitors
The JPY1,000 (US$9.22) fee went into effect on Monday and aims to raise funds to support the country's tourism sector.
Old Saigon
Old Saigon Building of the Week: The Glitz and Glam of Tu Do Nightclub
While today’s Dong Khoi Street is peppered with tourist-centric shops and restaurants, just half a century ago, the downtown street was the ...
Street Cred: The Sins and Saving Grace of Dr. Albert Calmette
If you help save hundreds of thousands of lives via medical breakthroughs and establish one of the country’s first and most advanced researc...
A Brief History of Saigon's Now-Defunct Thu Thiem Ferry Service
While the Thu Thiem Bridge and Thu Thiem Tunnel allow easy access to the District 2 peninsula from nearby districts, for decades past Saigon...
Society
[Photos] This House in Ninh Binh Is the Antithesis of Gaudy Mansions
![[Photos] This House in Ninh Binh Is the Antithesis of Gaudy Mansions](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Jan/20/NinhBinh0s.jpg)
Completed in 2018, this dour, utilitarian house in Ninh Binh is a direct rebellion against the province’s growing population of gaudy mansio...
One-Third of Students in Saigon Face Stress, Cyberbullying: Survey
A new survey conducted by Saigon's Department of Education and Training reveals unsettling realities regarding student well-being.
