Navigating traffic with absurdly overburdened motorbikes comes as second nature to Saigoneers.
Two large crane statues stand atop ceremonial turtles with lotus flowers in their mouths on either side of the entrance to Villa Royale.
You know a dish is special when it can spark conversation with a stranger on a bus. Halfway through the scrumptious bánh củ cải (radish cake) from our last-minute trip to the market, I shared the other half with my mom. "You're full?" asked a lady in the bunk next to us, which was then followed by a long discussion. I came home with several handy tips on how to recreate and elevate the already flavorful treat.
Potato foam is not something you’d expect to find in Saigon, or maybe anywhere and yet here it is, on my plate, during a tasting of Qui: Cuisine and Mixology’s new menu launch.
With growth rates that could steady at 6.5% over the next decade, Vietnam's economy could surpass that of Singapore by 2029, according to a report by a Singaporean bank.
A whale with trash spilling out its busted belly, a seagull with feathers soaked in sticky oil, horses galloping in terror: a group of students circled around a computer peer over images of sculptures, searching for inspiration.
Set at canal-level, the serene coffee shop pays homage to the residents of the Mekong Delta who for centuries have built homes and communities betwixt channels, swamps and lakes.
While most people know Saigon’s water is far from clean, few grasp the severity of the contamination.
When it comes to old photos of Vietnam, Saigon - as one of the country’s leading tourist destinations in the 1960s - always dominates in terms of volume and variety. That makes this set of photos of Can Tho, taken by William Ruzin in 1968, all the more precious.
“Phu Quoc is a large, uncultivated island, apart from a few hectares of coffee plantation and the small gardens of Duong-Dong, covered throughout its whole extent by beautiful jungle which grows on a forest floor of exceptional richness and is exploitable, provided we build roads.”
“Here we go, I’m gonna do it,” I proclaim to a table of eight friends. On the tip of my chopsticks is a single ant egg, the “pearl of the forest” as some call it. Instead of ending in a dramatic burst like Japanese salmon roe, the egg deflates on my tongue with a distinct rich taste. The flavor of the protein is neither as pronounced as fish roe nor as unfathomably fatty as a coconut worm, but it’s without a doubt something unique.
“Let's get loud, let's get loud, turn the music up, let's do it!“ singer Noiichan roared while standing atop a table in the middle of the spacious Hard Rock Cafe Saigon.
![[Photos] An Eerie Tokyo in the 1970s by Canadian Photographer Greg Girard](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/13/girard/90903s.jpg "[Photos] An Eerie Tokyo in the 1970s by Canadian Photographer Greg Girard")
![[Photos] On 'Dumbbell Island,' a Placid Side of Hong Kong](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/10/island/DSC05779s.jpg "[Photos] On 'Dumbbell Island,' a Placid Side of Hong Kong")
![[Video] A Serene Glance of Ninh Binh](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/6/NinhBinhQuietude_SGRs.jpg "[Video] A Serene Glance of Ninh Binh")
![[Photos] Step Inside Vietnam's First Fish Sauce Museum](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/4/fish-sauce/museum0s.jpg "[Photos] Step Inside Vietnam's First Fish Sauce Museum")
![[Video] Wheels of Steel: Tearing Across Saigon on Japanese Fixies](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/31/IMG_0003-SGRs.jpg "[Video] Wheels of Steel: Tearing Across Saigon on Japanese Fixies")
![[Photos] Blending in With Nature at a Rustic My Tho Coffee Shop](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/22/cafe1/cafe4s.jpg "[Photos] Blending in With Nature at a Rustic My Tho Coffee Shop")
![[Photos] The Hustle and Bustle of Maritime Life in 1995 Quang Ninh](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/5/quangninh/QuangNinh0s.jpg "[Photos] The Hustle and Bustle of Maritime Life in 1995 Quang Ninh")
![[Photos] The Mekong Delta on the Brink of a New Decade](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/27/TienGiang/1970Vietnam_Stewart_SGRs.jpg "[Photos] The Mekong Delta on the Brink of a New Decade")
![[Photos] Hiding From the Heat at Cong Hoa Swimming Pool in 1965](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/13/swimming-pool/Pool0s.jpg "[Photos] Hiding From the Heat at Cong Hoa Swimming Pool in 1965")
![[Photos] The Life Semi-Aquatic With 1968 Can Tho](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/6/can-tho/CanTho24s.jpg "[Photos] The Life Semi-Aquatic With 1968 Can Tho")
![[Photos] On the Cusp of a Tourism Boom, a Pristine Sapa of the 1920s](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Apr/22/sapa-laocai/Sapa0s.jpg "[Photos] On the Cusp of a Tourism Boom, a Pristine Sapa of the 1920s")
Saigoneer's Weekend Event Picks
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our favorite events happening around Saigon.
![[Photos] An Eerie Tokyo in the 1970s by Canadian Photographer Greg Girard](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/13/girard/90903l.jpg)
National Assembly Member Suggests Imposing Departure Tax on Citizens, Tourists
The implementation of a departure tax, an elector of the National Assembly argued, could bring in additional revenue to ...
Morning Stories Roundup: Lychee Exports, Gender Imbalance and Landfill Stench
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook .
Each morning, we select some of the most impor...
Art Experts Call for 'Rescue' of Colonial Era Murals Blocked by Buildings
The murals are the brainchild of the first and second class of students and teachers of the École des Beaux-Arts de l'In...
Many Homes in Vietnam Lack Toilets. But Thanks to Women, That's Changing.
At daybreak, when crickets croon and Tan Xuan Commune is still awash in darkness, Chung is already awake. “We will suppo...
![[Illustrations] A Calendar Created Specifically for Saigon's Wet and Dry Seasons](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/June/12/saigon-calendar/Calendar0s.jpg)
[Illustrations] A Calendar Created Specifically for Saigon's Wet and Dry Seasons
Saigon is in the midst of a full-on rainy season whose watery mood swings almost make us miss the heat of the dry season...
Saigon Becomes 55th Vietnam Locality Infected With African Swine Fever
On June 11, the disease, which is disastrous for pork production but poses no health risks to humans, was identified at ...
Upcoming Events
Today
09:00Noirfoto Art Class: Pinhole Photography @ Noirfoto
11:00Monthly Lifestyle Market @ Saigon Flea Market
12:00Father’s Day Sunday Roast Carvery @ Hotel Equatorial HCMC
12:00Brunch On Sun @ Hôtel des Arts Saigon
14:00FLOW by DAY #3 @ Saigon Sensation
19:00PsyGon Therapy @ SchillerSaigon
Tomorrow
08:30Summer Camp 2019 @ ISHCMC
12:00Chic Buffet Lunch @ Saigon Kitchen Restaurant
14:30Paris-Saigon Afternoon Tea @ Café Des Beaux-Arts
18:00Malaysian Week – Buffet Dinner @ Le Meridien
Soon
18/06Happy Hours @ Social Club Saigon
19/06The Delicatessen Night @ Hôtel des Arts Saigon
19/06A Tale of Modern Jazz @ Social Club Above Saigon
20/06Malaysian Week – Cooking Class @ Le Meridien
20/06Girls In The City Buffet Dinner @ Saigon Kitchen Restaurant
Full Events CalendarArts & Culture
[Illustrations] A Calendar Created Specifically for Saigon's Wet and Dry Seasons
Saigon is in the midst of a full-on rainy season whose watery mood swings almost make us miss the heat of the dry season.
Art Experts Call for 'Rescue' of Colonial Era Murals Blocked by Buildings
The murals are the brainchild of the first and second class of students and teachers of the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine (Indochina C...
National Assembly Member Suggests Imposing Departure Tax on Citizens, Tourists
The implementation of a departure tax, an elector of the National Assembly argued, could bring in additional revenue to improve Vietnam’s to...
Eat & Drink
Da Nang Just Made Vietnam's Biggest Bánh Xèo, Feeding 200 People
The world has never stopped obsessing over giant food, and Vietnam is no exception.
Hẻm Gems: On the Nguyen Du Sidewalk, Connoisseur Coffee at Pavement Prices
Contemporary coffee culture in Saigon is largely one of extremes. On one end, enthusiasts at trendy shops source, grow, roast...
Hẻm Gems: The Comfort of Slurping Vegetarian Noodles on the Pavement
Tien, who’s been up since 4am, stops for a moment, lets out a small sigh of satisfaction and wipes the sweat from her brow with the well-use...
Partner Content
From Obscurity to Mainstream: 15 Years of Dance Music at Lush Saigon
You might love it, hate or have never actually been, but if you live in Saigon, you’ve probably at least heard of Lush Saigon .
A Historic Venue Allows for an Exploration of Saigon’s Sizzling Music, Art and Fashion Scenes
“Just experiment with your eyes and your ears,” Headless clothing brand founder Quang Minh answered when asked to describe Saigon’s art scenes...
World-Spanning Beats & Bubbles Brunch by Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers
“By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers...Brunch is cheerful, socia...
As Vietnamese Embrace Wedding Anniversaries, Park Hyatt Saigon Helps Set Standards
Evolving economic conditions and global connectivity means Vietnamese culture is undergoing rapid changes in everything from cuisine to ente...
Breakfast — Anywhere, Anytime — Yoga and a Beach View: A Stay at Fusion Suites Da Nang
Thanks to its clean, expansive beachfront, variety of entertainment options, robust nightlife and proximity to cultural sights such as Hoi A...
[Video] Savoring a Decadent Sunday Brunch at Le Meridien Saigon
![[Video] Savoring a Decadent Sunday Brunch at Le Meridien Saigon](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/20/brunch1jpgs.jpg)
Executive Chef Simone Murru takes Saigoneer behind the scenes to learn how he makes the signature gnocchi served as part of Le Méri...
Salinda Boutique Resort Offers a Reprieve from Vietnam Heatwave on Phu Quoc
A heatwave has wrapped its smoggy fingers around Saigon, sending people scrambling in search of relief.
Hôtel Des Arts Brings Augmented Reality to Saigon
It’s incredible to witness a familiar piece of wood be slowly shaven down to one of the world’s most admired instruments.
Traditional Sushi Techniques on Full Display at Okome
For many years Saigon has been home to two distinct sushi scenes. First, the non-technical, low-cost options that occupied the same culinary...
Stories
HCMC Signs Deal With South Korean Firm to Create Electric Bus Rapid Transit System
Can a bus rapid transit (BRT) system succeed in Saigon?
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Imports $4.91bn Worth of Mobile Phones, Parts
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...
The Startup That's Bringing Abandoned Bikes to Burmese Children
As ofo and oBike bumble towards bankruptcy, thousands of bicycles are finding their way to poor communities in Myanmar.
Old Saigon
Saigon's Built Heritage Is Under Threat. How Do We Protect What's Left?
In an exclusive excerpt from his latest book, Exploring Saigon-Chợ Lớn: Vanishing Heritage of Hồ Chí Minh City , historian Tim Doling discusse...
[Photos] A Visual Anthology of Life and Fashion of 1970 Saigoneers
![[Photos] A Visual Anthology of Life and Fashion of 1970 Saigoneers](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/21/photos1/fashiontops.jpg)
One of Saigon's most compelling attractions has always been the people, and this collection of photos taken from the 1970s shows us just why...
From Botany Institute to Amusement Park: The Evolution of Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon
Local parks such as the Jardin d’Espagne and Jardin de la Ville, now Tao Dan Park, were a focal point of Saigon’s early urban development. B...
Society
Fulbright University Breaks Ground on New 15-Hectare Campus in D9
In three years, District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City will be home to Fulbright University Vietnam’s flagship campus and dormitories.
Vietnam Has a New Homegrown Social Media App. It's Called 'Hahalolo.'
The homegrown app promises to bring new experiences to the community of traveling enthusiasts.
Saigon Becomes 55th Vietnam Locality Infected With African Swine Fever
On June 11, the disease, which is disastrous for pork production but poses no health risks to humans, was identified at a farm in District 9...
