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c h i k k a
d i s p a t c h
PHOTOS
LESTER LEDESMA (BEN THANH MARKET & DONG KHOI STREET)
Left: Get Vietnamese
coffee, nuts and other
munchies at this stall
in Ben Thanh Market;
(
bottom) a live
acoustic performance
at Thi Café
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GET A BIGGER SHOPPING BAG
Great news: Vietnam recently implemented the Tax Return Policy for all tourists. Our company,
ACFC Vietnam, is one of the first to observe this new procedure, so take your pick from our
brands like Nike, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Calvin Klein and Tumi.
Locals love to shop so to satisfy the demand, new malls have sprung recently, like Vincom
Center, Crescent Mall and the soon-to-open Eden Center. But the “mall culture” in Ho Chi Minh
is still in its early stages.
But if you’re looking for local delicacies and items, head to Ben Thanh Market. It is still the
best place to shop for your favorite Vietnamese coffee, exotic fabric, souvenirs, cashew nuts,
dried fruit and more.
PEOPLE-WATCHING
The locals love to hang out and people-
watch in coffee shops and pubs with their
friends. Head to Coffee Bean or NYDC (
235
Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
).
These are the places to see and be seen —
and you’ll also be facing the iconic Notre
Dame Cathedral and National Post Office.
There you can observe the locals go about
their daily lives.
BE ENTERTAINED
Check out the backpackers’ area along
Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1. The
place is laid-back, natural, and filled with
happy locals and foreigners who are in for
a fun and no-holds-barred evening.
Or you can spend some time at Le Pub
(
175/22
Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi
Minh City; tel: +84 (8) 3837 7679
)
with
the local youth. It gets packed with mostly
beautiful and friendly people.
If you like live bands, you can walk to
Thi Café (
224
De Tham St., Pham Ngu Lao
Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; tel: +84
(8) 2210 2929
)
and jam to your favorite
song.
QUIET TIME
I love massages, and I usually go to
QSpa (
421/10
Su Van Hanh, Ho Chi Minh
City; tel: +84 (8) 3868 3620, qspa.com.
vn,
.
I’ve tried the hot
stone massage, facial treatment and body
scrub. They have couple rooms with their
own steam rooms, and male and female
therapists who have mastered the art of
touch and care.
To escape the city’s hustle and bustle,
visit Thao Dien Village (
195
Nguyen Van
Huong St., Thao Dien Ward, District 2,
Ho Chi Minh City; tel: +84 (8) 3744 6457,
thaodienvillage.com
).
It sits on the bank of
the Saigon River and has a hotel, restaurant
and spa. Close by are The Deck (
38
Nguyen
U Di, Thao Dien, An Phu, District 2, Ho
Chi Minh City; tel: +84 (8) 3744 6632,
thedecksaigon.com
)
and Boat House (
40
Lily Rd, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh
City; tel: +84 (8) 3744 6790, boathouse.
com.vn
).
Both are beautiful restaurants
along the Saigon River.
The view at Dong Khoi
St.
