It's very hard for me to find a good reason to come back to Saigon again after this trip. This is an emerging city - perhaps with a better urban planning than home. Another third-world late bloomer embracing modernity inside shopping malls. Out in the streets are drivers and riders who couldn't care less to slow down for a zebra cross. Objects of attractions were mediocre, museums poorly managed and maintained, and street food generally not as good as in Hanoi.


My room in Park Hyatt Saigon, the Saigon Opera House, The Post Office, and finally the Cathedral.

I did find some interesting spots, though. Well, I have to admit that my fabulous Park Hyatt Saigon hotel was excellent, flawless, and elegant. It's located basically in the very heart of the city, next to Saigon Opera House. Add a bit of walking and you'd find The Post Office - a very old building that still works. It was an amazing building; a perfect setting for a fashion shoot, with the best souvenir shop that I found in town.


Homey and classic The Refinery and its panna cotta with strawberry and passion fruit dressing, then the by-the-street Creperie & Coffee with its Crépe Suzette and Lavazza coffee.

I didn't get the time to check out the Cathedral but it didn't look interesting enough for a visit. However, in the back of this building I found a savory heaven simply named Créperie & Coffee. The Crépe Suzette was downright refreshing, delightful, and mouthwatering, and best paired with their Lavazza coffee. This patio style place is made romantic with the paper lanterns, and its location across a green lane in 5 Han Thuyen, District 1.

The Refinery in Hai Ba Trung street is a stictly casual diner with a classy touch. For a relatively cheap price, you could score a big and delicious dinner. There was a 30-minutes black out while I was there, but that wasn't a big deal. Waiters still took care of me and other diners pretty nicely.


Coffee and dried fruits in Ben Thanh market, then garments, fabrics, and tea in Binh Tay market.

Meanwhile, Ben Thanh market is a tourist trap. Bargain as low as half of the price being mentioned by the shopkeepers, please. Great finds here were Vietnamese coffee, tea, and dried fruits. Sellers can be very aggressive. Do not take a taxi right outside this market. I repeat: Do not take a taxi right outside Ben Thanh market. They are criminals.

Outside the touristy area, Binh Tay market is not much different, but with wider range of products, including garments and fabrics. The arrangement is actually better than Ben Thanh, but as this is a traditional market mostly geared towards the locals, it was tougher to deal with. Go there also for the tea and coffee.