Ca phe sua. Don’t ask me to pronounce that or I’d butcher it. All I know is that it’s Viet coffee with condensed milk. I’m pretty sure it’s the condensed milk that I’m addicted to, but I tell myself that it’s probably better and way cheaper than the milk I’ll consume in a latte.
And that’s how I marked my mornings in Ho Chi Minh City. Pop by a local coffee chain to enjoy free wifi and a cuppa, then head out to do whatever else the city has to offer. Mostly food. Really cheap food.
The Grub
Pho Bo at Propaganda Bistro
We stepped into a dimly lit, mural-filled restaurant. The overwhelming proportion of Westerners was a tad concerning. We were thankful to have stepped in before noon, for seats became a limited commodity after. The pho quelled all our worries. The broth’s a winner, bursting with more flavour than what we’re used to in +65. The beef were served in huge, thin slices akin to pork slices in ramen. Even the noodles were chewier than the ones back home. We would have lounged there slurping on broth for much longer, had our conscience not been pricked by the line at the counter.
Cha Gio at Hoa Tuc
We visited twice on consecutive days, and ordered the fried spring rolls twice. That’s twice of a statement! The lunch set is totally worth it – a drink, an appetiser and a generous main for just S$13. The specials change by the day too, so you’re always in for a surprise. We loved how tourist-friendly the restaurant is. The staff gladly taught us how to fold our grilled beef roll properly, and even offered to change the fresh spring rolls that we mistakenly ordered to the deep fried goodness. Seats can be reserved online in advance, but we never had a problem walking in at odd hours.
Scoot for Food with The XO Foodie
This was the highlight of our trip! Scoot around town with a Viet lady dressed in an ao dai, and be served unlimited portions of local food, beer, soft drinks and water. Don’t worry if you’re not that experimental with food. We weren’t too, so alternatives were offered. Amongst the more exotic options were grilled goat, frog meat and duck embryo. Then you’d get a heck load of seafood, which the ladies would even de-shell for you. I fell in love with the grilled scallops, served with a dash of fish sauce, sprinkled with peanuts and drips of lime juice. It was so good that seconds were a must. Lest you get bored and bloated with all the eating, there were food games and rest stops when we visited Chinatown and K-town to catch a glimpse of a different side of the city. I enjoyed learning about the local way of life with my guide. It seemed even cooler that such conversations took place as she navigated the traffic.
Ca Phe Sua at Cong Ca Phe and Phuc Long
Who needs angmoh coffee when you can grab the Viet version at a fraction of the price? Plus WiFi, seats and charging ports… I’m sold. Cong Ca Phe was recommended by my guide, and it was easy to understand why. While its rustic interior makes it look dated, there’s this zen-ness about the cafe that keeps remote workers in. Macs and tablets were a common sight, and no one was pressured to leave. Don’t expect the typical hearty brunch here though. Food comes in a limited range and are served in snack sizes.
If you need some grub with coffee, your next best bet would be Phuc Long, possibly made famous by its adulterated pronunciation. It’s supposed to be “fook lung”. Nonetheless, we’d much rather have the fragrance of caffeine permeate the air, than have the air diluted with the pungent smells of oil and sauces.
The Crash Pad
Liberty Central Saigon Riverside
We booked a deluxe room without breakfast, because we thought better than to load ourselves with a buffet in the morning. Upon arrival, we were bumped up to a room with a river view. That was neat, which would be even better if the waters weren’t that murky. We were spoilt by views of the Aegean Sea just a fortnight before, so tough fight. The gym had a better view, and we liked the concept of the infinity pool. Best news: 1-for-1 happy hour every day from 6 to 8pm!
Tip: Have a dip before sundown because it gets chilly after. We planned for a night swim, but the wind got the better of us.
The room was decent-sized, equipped with a rain shower and a full-glass shower area. So remember to draw down your blinds whenever you freshen up!
This king room was such a treat that we couldn’t bear to leave. The service was top-notch right from the moment we left our grab, all the way to the end of our stay. Check-in was speedy, and so was housekeeping when we requested for more items. To all yogis, you can even request for yoga mats! We were treated to complimentary coconut juice from 1 to 3pm, followed by complimentary Prosecco from 5 to 7pm. That’s on top of a bunch of bananas and a box of dried mango for a celebratory occasion, then chocolate almonds and fruits during turndown.
Tip: We redeemed this room using our World of Hyatt rewards. Download the app to check-in prior to your arrival, request for items and activate your mobile keycard.
The walk-in closet was a perk. There was a rain shower and a bathtub, though we found the tub a bit too small for one to soak in comfortably. We were more fascinated by the heated toilet – the Japanese kind with various functions installed in it.
Space was aplenty. The location excellent – near our food and coffee places, and malls. It’s no wonder that we whiled away a good part of our afternoon watching TV, paired with the free alcohol of course.
Oh Vietnam, how is it possible that it took me so long to schedule a visit? This trip has churned my desire to stay there longer. I was already googling Airbnb for rental options the night before I left.
HomenHawker Travels 