Fast-fashion fans rejoice: Saigon’s first H&M store has revealed its official launch date.
When it comes to deciding what to eat every day, there is certainly no shortage of options in Saigon. From simple street food carts to white tablecloth establishments, the city has it all.
For some, Saigon's hẻms are a treasure trove of hidden urban gems. But for those living in these alleyways, they can also be a relentless source of inconvenience and frustration.
Now that we all know exactly what Pocari Sweat is, let’s look at why you should drink it, and when it is best to do so.
From its earliest days, Saigon has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s history, the stories of which live on in its most iconic landmarks.
Located on the banks of the Saigon River in Thao Dien, Villa Song is a world away from the perpetual chaos of downtown Saigon. Nothing is fenced off for metro construction, and you can walk around without getting run over by a motorbike.
It is well documented that southern Vietnam’s cuisine has been influenced by the French, but it is also undeniable that the fare has been influenced by another of France’s former colonial hubs: the port city of Pondicherry, India.
Saigon’s dining scene is becoming increasingly diverse and innovative, with a number of exciting new concepts entering the market in recent years. ‘NAMO is a fine example of this movement, taking the mantle as one of the pioneers of premium, large cut steak sharing platters in the city.
In Vietnam, “người không học như ngọc không mài” – an uneducated person is like an unpolished gem. From the founding of Ly Nhan Tong’s Quoc Tu Giam in 1076 to the 14th-century Confucian wisdom of Chu Van An and beyond, Vietnam has always placed a high value on education.
Among Saigon’s plethora of rooftop bars, many of which aim to create an international vibe high atop their perches on some of the city’s tallest buildings, there is a distinct lack of Vietnamese-ness. One exception is the ANAN rooftop, an intimate venue in downtown’s Old Market (Chợ Cũ) that is set to launch its bia hơi and small plate happy hour menu on June 30.
As one of Saigon’s most recognizable home-grown brands, L’Usine brings a cosmopolitan Vietnamese lifestyle perspective to contemporary design, products and experiences inspired by the city’s stylish glory days.
While Pho Phieu Ky’s white walls and fluorescent lighting are nothing special, the hideaway shop in District 5 makes up for its bland color scheme by pasting neon characters – Roman and Chinese – across the glossy tiles along with wall calendars, rotating fans and a particularly jovial, glitter-covered cartoon rendition of Ong Tao riding a fish to heaven. The bright whites are certainly harsh, but on a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon this is not necessarily unwelcome. Nor, mind you, is the meal for which we’ve come: phở sa tế.
When it comes to Sunday brunches in Saigon, the playing field is a crowded one. At times it can be difficult to distinguish the free-flow, all-you-can-eat options. However, this year Le Méridien introduced a new concept that truly helps it stand out from the hotel crowd.
![[Photos] Local Photographer Captures the Magic of Long Hai's Bustling Morning Port](http://i.imgur.com/yObibAks.jpg "[Photos] Local Photographer Captures the Magic of Long Hai's Bustling Morning Port")
![[Illustrations] A Colorful Collection of Saigon Landmarks](http://i.imgur.com/vBVEBgFs.jpg "[Illustrations] A Colorful Collection of Saigon Landmarks")
![[Illustrations] Osaka Illustrator Turns Hometown Into Manga Backdrop With Quirky Sketches](http://i.imgur.com/fktpDb7s.jpg "[Illustrations] Osaka Illustrator Turns Hometown Into Manga Backdrop With Quirky Sketches")
![[Video] A Virtual Tour of Malaysia's Top-Notch Durian Plantation](http://i.imgur.com/gL4d4zds.jpg "[Video] A Virtual Tour of Malaysia's Top-Notch Durian Plantation")
![[Photos] Emperor Bao Dai's 1942 Offering of Worship to Heaven and Earth](http://i.imgur.com/SwXzRfjs.jpg "[Photos] Emperor Bao Dai's 1942 Offering of Worship to Heaven and Earth")
![[Photos] Saigon’s Colonial-Era Shipping Line Brought the World to Vietnam](http://i.imgur.com/V3U95O5s.jpg "[Photos] Saigon’s Colonial-Era Shipping Line Brought the World to Vietnam")
![[Photos] A Nostalgic Look at Da Lat Market Through Time](http://i.imgur.com/20wrACcs.jpg "[Photos] A Nostalgic Look at Da Lat Market Through Time")
Tourism Businesses Are Trying to Clean up Vietnam
The sun already threatens to sap our energy even though it’s barely mid-morning on Thanh Da Island. Devoid of the tall buildings and claustrophobic blocks found downtown, this small patch of greenery and its residents would not be out of place in the Mekong Delta. On a lazy Sunday morning, pajama-clad women ride by on bicycles, men swap stories over coffee and cigarettes, and the road that runs through all this activity serves as a talking point for Thanh Da residents.
![[Photos] Local Photographer Captures the Magic of Long Hai's Bustling Morning Port](http://i.imgur.com/yObibAkl.jpg)
![[Photos] Bui Vien Walking Street Makes Its Debut](http://i.imgur.com/6QBBZ2gs.jpg)
[Photos] Bui Vien Walking Street Makes Its Debut
Yesterday evening, crowds gathered along District 1’s Bui Vien Street for the grand opening of Saigon’s second pedestria...
82-Year-Old Japanese Coder Creates Apps for the Elderly
Masako Wakamiya, an 82-year-old Japanese woman, has shown that mobile phone app developers don't always fit the mold of ...
![[Photos] Saigon Finally Has River Buses, But They're Not Taking Passengers Yet](http://i.imgur.com/2DHIXYDs.jpg)
[Photos] Saigon Finally Has River Buses, But They're Not Taking Passengers Yet
Saigon’s river buses are finally here, but it may be a couple of months until city dwellers can actually traverse local ...
Amid Issues With Da Nang Authorities, Uber Announces Fare Hike in Saigon, Hanoi
Getting around Vietnam’s big metropolises will be more expensive in the future as Uber has increased its fares.
Wushu Martial Artists Earn Vietnam's First Gold Medals at SEA Games 2017
Vietnam’s delegation at this year’s SEA Games competition is off to a good start after wushu martial artists clinched th...
Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Officially Launches Bui Vien Walking Street During Weekend
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News
[Photos] Bui Vien Walking Street Makes Its Debut
Yesterday evening, crowds gathered along District 1’s Bui Vien Street for the grand opening of Saigon’s second pedestrian-only zone.
Vietnam's 1st Observatory to Open in Nha Trang Next Month
Astronomy fans in Vietnam will be excited to find out that the country’s first observatory will open its doors to visitors next month.
Thailand Dreams of Constructing Massive Canal Linking Indian, Pacific Oceans
A number of influential Thai businesses and public figures are pushing for the construction of a massive shipping canal across Thailand's so...
Arts & Culture
[Photos] Squeeze Through Hanoi's Tightest Old Quarter Alleys
![[Photos] Squeeze Through Hanoi's Tightest Old Quarter Alleys](http://i.imgur.com/IDaOYtqs.jpg)
If you think Saigon’s hẻm s are narrow, these Hanoi alleys shown below will make you question your notion of personal space.
How Widespread Art Fraud Could Tarnish Vietnam’s Reputation on International Market
The popularity of Vietnamese art is on the rise internationally, but its reputation is in jeopardy as more and more incidents of art fraud a...
Tourism Businesses Are Trying to Clean up Vietnam
The sun already threatens to sap our energy even though it’s barely mid-morning on Thanh Da Island. Devoid of the tall buildings and claustr...
Sponsored Content
Latest L’Usine Location Set to Propel Brand into New Era
As one of Saigon’s most recognizable home-grown brands, L’Usine brings a cosmopolitan Vietnamese lifestyle perspective to contemporary desig...
Fitfood VN Delivers Healthy, Tasty Meals to Your Door Daily
When it comes to deciding what to eat every day, there is certainly no shortage of options in Saigon. From simple street food carts to white...
‘NAMO Tuscan Grill Pioneers Sharing Premium Steak Platter Concept in Saigon
Saigon’s dining scene is becoming increasingly diverse and innovative, with a number of exciting new concepts entering the market in recent ...
Beer and Food Intertwine on East West Brewing's Menu
With the word ‘brewing’ in their name, one could be forgiven for thinking that East West is solely a beer company. However, the team behind th...
The Best Times to Drink Pocari
Now that we all know exactly what Pocari Sweat is , let’s look at why you should drink it, and when it is best to do so.
Bia Hơi, Modern Vietnamese Fare Headline ANAN’s New Happy Hour
Among Saigon’s plethora of rooftop bars, many of which aim to create an international vibe high atop their perches on some of the city’s tal...
Eat & Drink
[Video] Americans Try Bánh Mì for the First Time, Can't Stop Eating
![[Video] Americans Try Bánh Mì for the First Time, Can't Stop Eating](http://i.imgur.com/9JLyHPns.jpg)
Don’t watch this video when you’re hungry.
Hẻm Gems: Refreshing Chè at a 60-Year-Old Retro Hangout
Relishing a bowl of assorted chè at Thach Che Hien Khanh is more than just an afternoon spent shooting the breeze with friends, it’s also a tr...
Hẻm Gems: Phieu Ky’s Fantastic Phở Sa Tế
While Pho Phieu Ky’s white walls and fluorescent lighting are nothing special, the hideaway shop in District 5 makes up for its bland color ...
Old Saigon
[Photos] The 1920s Students of Hanoi’s Indochina University
![[Photos] The 1920s Students of Hanoi’s Indochina University](http://i.imgur.com/1oLC4fls.jpg)
In Vietnam, “ người không học như ngọc không mài ” – an uneducated person is like an unpolished gem. From the founding of Ly Nhan Tong’s Quoc T...
Street Cred: Trinh Cong Son, the Voice of a Generation
Earlier this week, Hanoi officials announced the conversion of the capital’s narrow Trinh Cong Son Street into a pedestrian zone featuring a...
Old Saigon Building of the Week: The Three-Legged Bridge of Cho Lon
Saigoneers born after the 1990s might be familiar with the term dân chơi cầu Ba Cẳng , or “the daredevils of Ba Cang Bridge”. However, not man...
Society
Saigon's 'Ghost Tower' Seized as Collateral After Owners Fail to Repay Debt
The future of Saigon’s most prominent skeleton tower has become even murkier.
82-Year-Old Japanese Coder Creates Apps for the Elderly
Masako Wakamiya, an 82-year-old Japanese woman, has shown that mobile phone app developers don't always fit the mold of Silicon Valley stere...
Cash-Strapped University Students in Vietnam Resort to Platelet Donations Despite Health Risks
A wave of Vietnamese students who experience economic hardships have resorted to selling their platelets regularly in order to make ends mee...
