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Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide 🇻🇳 Part 2 | Vintage Shopping, Chinatown, Park Hyatt & Pizza 4P’s

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam travel vlog! In the second half of our 6-day Vietnam adventure, we’re exploring more of Ho Chi Minh City’s hidden gems-from vintage shopping and Chinatown to museums, afternoon tea at the iconic Park Hyatt Saigon, and one last caf

by Vadhel Vergara · Watch on YouTube ↗

A multi-day itinerary exploring local culture and cuisine

This PinGuide covers vintage shopping, fine arts, and local eats in Ho Chi Minh City. It features 17 unique places. This guide provides a full itinerary for a multi-day trip. Visitors can find various items, from leather goods to high-end vintage watches. Additionally, this guide includes several cafes and restaurants. There are also notable cultural sites.

This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary explores diverse experiences. Guests can visit a fine arts museum and historical markets. Then, they can enjoy local coffee and international cuisine.

The Pins

01

Start your exploration at MELLOW Bar & Café.

MELLOW Bar & Café

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

MELLOW Bar & Café sits on Nguyễn Trọng Tuyển. This spot is in Phú Nhuận District, Ho Chi Minh City. A small alley holds the establishment. It stays removed from the main street’s traffic. The venue operates compactly. It offers limited tables. Patrons find bar-side seating here too. The space works as a daytime café. It becomes an evening cocktail destination.

The bar serves various alcoholic beverages. Patrons find classic cocktails and wine. Hard liquor is also available. Bartenders prepare drinks to order. They follow customer preferences. The café offers different coffee preparations. The menu focuses on beverages. It lists a selection of spirits. These are for customized drinks. The establishment does not offer a full food menu.

The interior design uses warm lighting. Wood elements create an intimate setting. The main area features a small bar counter. It seats a few patrons. Several small tables accommodate groups. A small outdoor seating area is also available. The venue’s small scale contributes to quiet. It offers a contained environment.

MELLOW Bar & Café is deep within its alley. This creates distinct separation. It isolates the venue from the neighborhood. The space has air-conditioning. It provides a calm atmosphere. The venue caters to individuals. Small groups also enjoy its focused beverage experience. It accepts both cash and credit card payments.

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152/1 Nguyễn Trọng Tuyển, Phường 8, Phú Nhuận, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · MELLOW Bar & Café

Order a Cloud Latte with Orange Zest. The cafe owners can provide local directions and recommendations for your day.

02

From the cafe, head to Nagashoes in District 3.

Nagashoes

Shopping · Ho Chi Minh City

10:00-21:30 daily 0766649635

Nagashoes is a women’s footwear store on Trần Quang Diệu street in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. The brand, established in 2016, focuses on shoes with youthful and elegant designs. Its flagship store on Trần Quang Diệu presents a wide collection of locally produced footwear. The shop’s interior is organized by shoe style, allowing for clear browsing. Customers can find various types of shoes inside.

The store offers a diverse range of women’s footwear. The product lineup includes high heels, sandals, and flats. The brand also produces a dedicated wedding collection. Other available categories are sneakers, mules, and ballet flats. In addition to shoes, the store carries a selection of bags and backpacks. The collections feature a variety of colors and materials.

A notable feature of the brand is its inclusive sizing. Nagashoes produces footwear in a broad range of sizes, extending to larger sizes such as 42 and 43. This accommodates a wider base of customers than typical local shoe stores. The designs aim to be both fashionable and comfortable for daily wear. The brand regularly updates its collections with new styles.

The Trần Quang Diệu location serves as the main retail point for the brand in the city. It is a street-front shop with a glass facade. The store attracts both local residents and international visitors. Nagashoes also maintains an online presence through its website and various e-commerce platforms for customers throughout Vietnam.

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95 Trần Quang Diệu, Phường 14, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Nagashoes

This store offers a wide selection of shoes in various colors. Consider buying multiple pairs if you find styles you like.

03

Next, visit Hoa Hnadmade for leather goods.

Hoa Handmade

Shopping · Ho Chi Minh City

Hoa Handmade is a leather goods workshop on Trần Quý Khoách street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, that produces handcrafted accessories. The shop sits within a small alley, offering a collection of items made from genuine leather. Artisans at the shop craft each product by hand. The primary material used for most items is cow leather, which comes in various colors and finishes.

The product line includes a range of personal accessories. Hoa Handmade produces wallets, handbags, keychains, and small leather pouches. The designs often feature clean lines and visible stitching, emphasizing the handcrafted nature of the items. The shop also creates decorative bag charms, some of which are shaped like animals such as poodles and dachshunds. These smaller items serve as distinct decorative additions to larger bags.

The workshop’s collection extends to different types of bags, from small crossbody purses to larger totes. Some designs incorporate other materials, such as wooden beads, alongside the leather. The store displays its finished products for direct sale. Customers can browse the collection of available items inside the retail space. The workshop maintains a focus on traditional leatherworking techniques.

This local brand provides an alternative to mass-produced leather goods. The items showcase the specific skills of the craftspeople who make them. The shop is located in the Tân Định ward, an area known for its mix of local businesses and residential buildings. It offers a range of price points across its product selection.

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16a Trần Quý Khoách, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Hoa Handmade

Explore their collection of bags and keychains made from cow leather. Look for charming animal-shaped bag charms, like poodles or dachshunds.

04

A short walk brings you to Deeritage - Vintage Jewelry.

Deeritage – Vintage Jewelry

Shopping · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

09:30–22:00 daily +84 946 224 495

Deeritage – Vintage Jewelry is a vintage accessories shop on Trần Quý Khoách in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The store specializes in a large, curated collection of vintage and antique jewelry pieces. It sits down a small alley, a short walk from the Tân Định Church. The shop’s extensive inventory includes rings, brooches, necklaces, and watches.

The collection features a significant number of items for sale. The shop stocks approximately 2,000 different rings. It also carries around 400 distinct brooches. Some pieces in the collection are unique, bearing engravings from previous owners. These marks sometimes include names, dates, or personal messages, reflecting the items’ history. The selection appeals to collectors and individuals seeking one-of-a-kind accessories.

Beyond jewelry, Deeritage offers a range of other vintage goods. The store sells classic timepieces and various retro home decor items. The shop provides services to adjust certain pieces for customers. Staff can resize or alter the length of bangles and necklaces after a purchase. This service ensures a better fit for the wearer. The interior of the shop is arranged to display the wide variety of items available.

The shop presents its collection as a treasure trove for shoppers. Each item is sourced for its specific aesthetic and historical value. The assortment of goods provides a diverse selection for patrons interested in past design eras. The store maintains a consistent focus on items with a distinct history and character, from small accessories to larger decorative objects.

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18/4 Trần Quý Khoách, Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

5 insider tips

Reina_rw · curator · Deeritage – Vintage Jewelry

Allow ample time to browse the unique rings, watches, and other vintage accessories. Shoppers can find distinctive pieces like padlock necklaces.

love,rosie · curator · Deeritage – Vintage Jewelry

Browse the selection of antique and vintage jewelry. This store offers memorable and distinct items. It is a good stop for unique accessories.

Mei Time · curator · Deeritage – Vintage Jewelry

This secondhand vintage jewelry shop is popular on social media. It has a cozy atmosphere and offers many cute items. It is a good spot for unique finds.

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05

Continue to Leicester Decor - Vintage Watch for high-end vintage items.

Leicester Decor – Vintage Watch

Vintage Store · Ho Chi Minh City

10:00-20:30 daily +84 93 889 88 80

Leicester Decor – Vintage Watch sits on Nguyễn Văn Nguyễn Street. It is in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. This vintage shop sells classic timepieces and decor. The store offers a curated collection of pre-owned items. Its selection includes watches, decorative objects, and accessories. Staff provide information on all pieces. They highlight available items for purchase.

The shop focuses on vintage wristwatches. These come from Swiss and international brands. The collection frequently features models. Shoppers see pieces from Cartier, Rolex, and Patek-Philippe. Timepieces from Longines, Chanel, and Gucci also appear. The store’s team selects and authenticates each watch. The store presents items from various decades. It primarily features pieces from the 20th century.

Beyond watches, the store sources vintage home decor. The decor collection includes classic lamps and antique music boxes. The space displays these decorative pieces. They sit alongside the watches. The shop also carries a selection of vintage accessories. Customers browse multiple categories of classic goods here.

The showroom provides a setting for viewing all items. Its classic aesthetic complements the products. The store operates seven days a week. It serves collectors and vintage style enthusiasts. The business maintains an active social media presence. It showcases new acquisitions there.

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48 Nguyễn Văn Nguyễn, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip
06

For a meal, travel to Quán Thuý 94 - Miến Cua.

Quán Thuý 94 – Miến Cua

Vietnamese Cuisine · Ho Chi Minh City

10:00-22:00 daily +84933860033

Quán Thuý 94 – Miến Cua sits on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street. This District 1 restaurant specializes in crab dishes. It operates from a multi-level building. An open kitchen welcomes guests at the entrance. Cooks prepare dishes in full street view. Fresh crabs are prominently displayed at the front. The interior offers a simple, functional dining space. It attracts both local residents and international visitors.

The menu highlights fresh crab. Cooks prepare it in many styles. Signature dishes include miến xào cua. This is a stir-fried glass noodle dish with crab meat. The menu also lists chả giò cua, deep-fried crab spring rolls. Cua lột chiên giòn, fried soft-shell crab, is another specialty. Other options include crab fried rice, crab soup, and steamed crab. Diners can also choose shrimp for most dishes.

The restaurant opened in 1992 at number 94. It later moved a few doors down to 84 Đinh Tiên Hoàng. The owners, two sisters, kept “94” in the name. This preserves its original identity. The restaurant has earned wider recognition. It features in the Michelin Guide’s Michelin Selected category. The menu comes in Vietnamese, English, Japanese, and Korean.

The atmosphere stays busy, especially at lunch and dinner. The space provides seating on the ground floor and an upper level. Minimal decoration keeps the focus on the food. This long-standing family-run business prepares classic Vietnamese crab recipes. Locals know it for its consistent quality.

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84 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip
07

After lunch, explore THE TIME VINTAGE WATCH.

THE TIME VINTAGE WATCH

Vintage Store · Ho Chi Minh City

The Time Vintage Watch specializes in classic timepieces. It sits on Nguyễn An Ninh street in Bình Thạnh District. This Ho Chi Minh City shop sources and sells vintage watches. They feature a range of international brands. Founder Tú Hoàng opened the business. He previously worked in marketing. He also dealt in vintage clothing. His interest in classic items grew. His personal watch collecting led to the store’s creation.

The collection values originality and operational condition. Each timepiece receives an evaluation. This ensures authentic, unmodified components. The case and movement remain original. The store’s philosophy highlights each watch’s history. It also showcases its craftsmanship. The name ‘The Time’ means ‘thời gian’ (time) and ‘thời đại’ (era). This reflects the products’ nature.

The inventory offers various styles. Customers find dress watches with leather straps. They also see models with steel bracelets. The selection features well-known watchmaking eras. It includes prominent brands. The shop particularly appreciates Japanese manufacturers like Seiko. The founder personally sources watches for the collection. His experience as a collector guides his choices.

The shop itself occupies a compact space. Vintage wooden cabinets furnish the interior. The furniture complements the classic timepieces. The Time Vintage Watch serves diverse clients. New buyers and seasoned watch enthusiasts visit. The business focuses on sharing each piece’s story with customers.

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23 Nguyễn An Ninh, Phường 14, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · THE TIME VINTAGE WATCH

Discover a cool collection of high-end vintage watch brands here. Note that they do not provide original boxes or certificates with purchases.

08

Next, consider a visit to Chợ Bình Tây (Bình Tây Market) in Chinatown.

Chợ Bình Tây (Bình Tây Market)

Landmark · District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

06:00-18:00 daily +84 28 3857 1512

Chợ Bình Tây is a wholesale market on Tháp Mười street in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City. The market is a central landmark of Cholon, the city’s historic Chinatown. A Chinese businessman named Quách Đàm funded the market’s construction. The building work began in 1928 and finished in 1930. The market primarily serves wholesale traders and local residents.

The building’s design blends French colonial engineering with traditional Chinese architectural styles. It features a prominent clock tower above the main entrance. A large, open-air courtyard sits at the center of the market complex. This courtyard contains a memorial bust honoring the market’s founder, Quách Đàm. The structure has a symmetrical layout with high ceilings and wide corridors. The market has twelve entrance gates, both main and auxiliary.

Bình Tây Market contains more than 2,300 stalls spread across two levels. Vendors sell a wide variety of goods, with a focus on bulk items. Key product categories include dried seafood, spices, and preserved foods. Stalls also offer textiles, kitchenware, and household goods. Other sections feature traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, nuts, and confectionery. The market is a major distribution hub for goods throughout southern Vietnam.

The market building is recognized as an architectural and artistic monument. It occupies a large city block, surrounded by four streets. The area around the market also features numerous food stalls. These vendors sell local Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese dishes. The market is a significant commercial and cultural center for the local community.

History

Founder
Quách Đàm
Style
Western concrete techniques with Chinese architectural forms
5 Things You Didn't Know About Chợ Bình Tây (Bình Tây Market)
From rag‑picker to the “king of Chợ Lớn”

Before he became the man who built Bình Tây Market, Quách Đàm (1863–1927) was a penniless immigrant from Chaozhou who wandered the alleys of Chợ Lớn buying scrap, duck feathers and old rags, sleeping under shop eaves and in market corners.
A local scholar later wrote that at noon he would rest on empty shop verandas, and once a rice porter stole his tax paper just to force him to pay a few coins to get it back; yet Quách Đàm bore no grudge and later even hired that same porter when he became rich.

A clever gamble that made him a legend

When news arrived from Singapore that rice prices were collapsing, while other merchants panicked Quách Đàm secretly ordered his agents in the six Mekong provinces to keep buying rice at the usual price, even slightly higher, so sellers would not deal with anyone else.
At the same time he sent a fake telegram from Singapore saying rice prices were about to soar; rival traders rushed in to buy at inflated prices, only to discover he had already quietly sold off his own stock at a profit, leaving them with the losses.
This kind of move cemented his reputation as a ruthless but brilliant strategist in the rice trade of southern Indochina.

“I’ll give you a new Chợ Lớn – but put my statue in the middle”

When the old Chợ Lớn market became too cramped and the colonial authorities started looking for a new site, Quách Đàm stepped in with a bold proposal: he would donate a large swampy plot in Bình Tây village and fund the construction of a modern market, on condition that he could build a few rows of shophouses around it and place a statue of himself in the central courtyard after his death.
The deal was accepted; he turned the marsh into buildable land, designed a huge market blending Western concrete techniques with Chinese architectural forms, and effectively “moved” Chợ Lớn to a new location through private capital rather than state planning.

A funeral like no other, and a statue that outlived regimes

Quách Đàm died in 1927, before the market was finished, but his funeral became one of Saigon’s most spectacular events: a flower‑decorated truck carried his coffin, fifty luxury cars followed, and crowds of Chinese and Vietnamese lined the streets, climbing onto roofs and trees to watch.
In 1930 his family erected a grand marble fountain in the market’s central courtyard, topped with a bronze statue of Quách Đàm in Manchu‑style robes, holding in one hand the deed donating the land and in the other a scroll listing his contributions to schools, markets and public works.
After 1975 the statue was removed and stored away; since 1992 it has stood in the courtyard of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, while a smaller bust now marks the original pedestal in Bình Tây, keeping his image alive in two different heritage spaces at once.

From “Quách Đàm Market” to a protected heritage symbol

Locals originally called the new complex “chợ Quách Đàm” or “Chợ Lớn mới,” and it quickly became the main wholesale hub for the whole south, sending goods across the Mekong Delta and even to Cambodia and Laos.
In 2015–2017 the city officially recognised its architectural and artistic value, ranking it as a municipal heritage site; a decade‑long restoration funded largely by stallholders’ rent carefully returned roofs, tiles, dragon sculptures and stone floors to their 1928 appearance.
Today, when people walk under its yin‑yang tiled roofs and past the central fountain, they are moving through a space that began as one immigrant’s audacious deal with a colonial city and grew into a symbol of Chợ Lớn’s Chinese‑Vietnamese commercial world.

Sources: Wikipedia ↗ · Viendongonline ↗ · Ngaynay ↗

3 video mentions
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57A Tháp Mười, Phường 2, Quận 6, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

3 insider tips
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09

For a morning pick-me-up, stop at Robusta Honey Coffee Company.

Robusta Honey Coffee Company

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

Robusta Honey Coffee Company is a specialty coffee shop on Phó Đức Chính in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The cafe stands directly opposite the west side of Bến Thành Market. It focuses on Vietnamese Robusta beans prepared using the honey processing method. This technique retains some of the coffee cherry’s mucilage during drying.

The menu features coffee drinks that highlight the brand’s signature beans. Key offerings include Robusta Honey Sữa Đá, a take on Vietnamese iced milk coffee. The shop also serves traditional Phin Sữa Đá and modern espresso-based beverages. Other specialty drinks are Cà Phê Trứng (egg coffee) and Cà Phê Dừa (coconut coffee). A selection of Vietnamese teas provides non-coffee options.

The company presents its coffee as a modern interpretation of Vietnamese Robusta. It aims to showcase a different flavor profile for the bean. The brand operates multiple locations in the city. This Bến Thành branch occupies a central location near a major city landmark. The space is designed to reflect local coffee culture while telling a new story about Vietnamese coffee.

Robusta Honey Coffee Company sources its beans from agricultural regions in Vietnam. The honey processing method results in a coffee with natural sweetness and a balanced profile. The brand also roasts and supplies its own beans for other businesses. The cafe serves both takeaway and dine-in customers in a high-traffic area of the city center.

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82 Phó Đức Chính, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip
10

Walk to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Landmark · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

08:00–17:00 daily +84 28 3829 4441

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is a public art museum on Phó Đức Chính Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The museum occupies a historic Art Deco building constructed between 1929 and 1934. French architect Rivera designed the structure, which blends European and Asian architectural styles. It was originally the private mansion of the Hua Bon Hoa family, wealthy Chinese-Vietnamese merchants. The building became a museum in 1987 and opened to the public in 1992.

The museum complex consists of three separate buildings. Each building showcases different periods and types of Vietnamese art. The main building features a yellow facade, arched windows, and a central courtyard. Its interior has stained-glass windows, patterned tile floors, and a grand central staircase. The building was one of the first in Saigon to feature an elevator. The city recognized the structure as a City-Level Architectural and Artistic Heritage Site in 2012.

The collection holds over 21,000 artifacts. It spans from ancient history to the contemporary era. Galleries display ancient sculptures from the Champa and Óc Eo cultures. The collection includes traditional Vietnamese ceramics, lacquer paintings, and silk artworks. It also features modern and contemporary art from the 20th century onward. Works from notable Vietnamese artists are part of the permanent exhibition. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions of both local and international artists.

The museum sits a short walk from Bến Thành Market. The three-story buildings are connected by open-air corridors. The first floor often hosts galleries and trade activities. The second floor typically displays paintings and modern art. The third floor is dedicated to antique sculptures and traditional handicrafts. The museum provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnamese art history and its evolution through various periods and styles.

History

Built
1934
Founder
Hứa Bổn Hoà
Originally
Private Mansion
5 Things You Didn't Know About Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The mansion of “Chú Hỏa,” the king of Saigon real estate

The museum building began as the private mansion of Hui Bon Hoa (Hứa Bổn Hoà, known in Vietnamese as Chú Hỏa), one of Saigon’s wealthiest Chinese merchants, who commissioned French architect Rivera in 1929 to create a residence blending European and Chinese styles.
Completed around 1934, the mansion symbolised Chú Hỏa’s fortune, alongside other landmarks he owned like the Majestic Hotel, Từ Dũ Hospital and several other prominent buildings in the city.

The first elevator in Saigon

When it was completed in the 1930s, the three‑storey mansion was one of the first private houses in Saigon to have its own elevator, a striking symbol of modernity and wealth at the time.
Stained‑glass windows, mosaic floors and ornate ironwork combined European Art Deco with Chinese decorative motifs, creating a unique East‑meets‑West aesthetic that still defines the building today.

A legend about the “too‑grand” front door

A popular Saigon story says that after the mansion was completed, the French colonial authorities did not allow the family to use the main front door because it was supposedly grander than the door of the Governor’s Palace.
According to the tale, the family was forced to use a smaller side entrance for daily comings and goings, a detail that has become part of the building’s local mythology.

From private luxury to public art

After 1975, the Hui Bon Hoa family left Vietnam and the mansion was taken over by the state; in 1987 it was officially designated as the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, though it only opened to the public in 1992 once enough artworks had been collected.
The transformation from a single family’s showpiece to a public museum mirrors the broader shift from private capitalist wealth to state‑run cultural institutions after the war.

A storehouse of Vietnamese visual memory

The museum now holds tens of thousands of works—from ancient artifacts to modern paintings—turning a once‑private symbol of wealth into a public storehouse of Vietnamese visual memory, including masterpieces like Nguyễn Gia Trí’s lacquer painting “Vườn xuân Bắc Trung Nam.”
In 2012 the building was officially recognised as a city‑level architectural and artistic heritage site, protecting not just the art inside but also Chú Hỏa’s unique, East‑meets‑West mansion itself.

Sources: Wikipedia ↗ · Vietnamnet. ↗ · Mlifeon ↗

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97A Phó Đức Chính, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

2 insider tips

Mei Time · curator · Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Explore its French colonial architecture, which blends European and Asian styles. The museum houses nearly 22,000 artifacts. The building itself is considered a work of art.

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11

After the museum, head to Alluvia Chocolate Chợ Bến Thành.

Alluvia Chocolate Chợ Bến Thành

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

09:00-22:00 daily +84868562998

Alluvia Chocolate is a Vietnamese bean-to-bar chocolatier with a shop on Phan Chu Trinh in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The store sits directly across from the eastern side of Bến Thành Market. Alluvia produces chocolate from cacao beans grown on its own farms in the Mekong Delta. The company manages the entire production process, from harvesting and fermenting the beans to the final tempered bars.

The brand’s name refers to the alluvial soil of the Mekong Delta. This fertile soil gives the region’s cacao a distinct flavor profile. Alluvia was co-founded by a father and daughter, continuing a family legacy of cacao farming that began in the 1990s. The company operates on a farm-to-bar model, ensuring control over the quality and origin of its ingredients. This direct sourcing connects the chocolate-making process to the local agricultural communities in Tiền Giang province.

The shop offers a wide selection of chocolate products. These include single-origin dark chocolate bars with varying cacao percentages, from 70% to 100%. Alluvia also creates bars that incorporate other Vietnamese agricultural products. Flavors include chocolate blended with local coffee, coconut, cinnamon, or chili. The packaging for each product often features designs inspired by Vietnamese culture and art. The store serves as a retail point for gifts and personal treats.

In addition to chocolate bars, the company produces other cacao-based items. Customers can find cacao powder, cacao butter, and chocolate-covered snacks. The retail space is clean and organized, with shelves displaying the full range of products. Staff are available to explain the different types of chocolate and their origins. The brand has expanded to include multiple locations across Vietnam.

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33 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip
12

Then, return to Saigon Eco Craft Souvenirs & Crafts.

Saigon Eco Craft Souvenirs & Crafts

Shopping · Ho Chi Minh City

08:00-22:00 daily +84 974461856

Saigon Eco Craft is a souvenir and craft shop on Lê Lợi street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The store sells a range of Vietnamese handmade gifts and locally made products. Its flagship location sits at 90 Lê Lợi, with a second branch also on the same street.

The shop’s collection focuses on items that reflect Vietnamese artistry and sustainable practices. The inventory includes handcrafted ceramics, traditional lacquerware, and various eco-friendly products. Shoppers can find home decor, stationery, and fashion accessories like scarves and bags. The store also offers a selection of Vietnamese food items, such as coffee beans, tea, and chocolate, packaged for gifting.

Product categories are diverse, featuring beauty and wellness items alongside games, toys, and books. The store sources goods from local artisans and brands, emphasizing craftsmanship. Items such as hand-embroidered textiles, naturally dyed fabrics, and hand-painted ceramics are representative of the store’s offerings. The shop also stocks practical souvenirs like keratin combs and unique art prints.

The interior of the store is organized to display the wide variety of products. All items have fixed prices, providing a straightforward retail experience. The business presents itself as a curated space for discovering authentic, locally sourced Vietnamese crafts away from the structure of traditional markets. It caters to both tourists and residents looking for distinctive gifts.

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90 Đ. Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip
13

For modern shopping, visit Saigon Centre.

Saigon Centre

Shopping · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Shops: 09:30-21:30 (Monday-Thursday), 09:30-22:00 (Friday-Sunday); F&B: 10:00-22:00 (Daily) +842838294888

Saigon Centre is a mixed-use commercial complex on Lê Lợi Boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The development occupies a city block with frontages on Pasteur and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa streets. It combines a multi-level shopping mall with office towers, a hotel, and serviced apartments. The complex stands in the city’s central business district, near landmarks like the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market.

The retail area houses more than 400 international and local brands. Its anchor tenant is Takashimaya, a Japanese department store that opened its first Vietnam location here in 2016. The mall contains numerous luxury fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Chanel. It also features high-street brands such as Uniqlo and Zara. A wide selection of restaurants, cafes, and a food court operate across several floors, offering diverse dining options.

The complex was developed by Keppel Land in two main phases. Phase 1 finished in 1996 with a 25-storey tower that was Vietnam’s tallest building at the time. A major expansion marked Phase 2, which added a 43-storey second tower and a new retail podium. This second phase reached completion in 2017. The architecture of the newer tower features a modern, glass-clad international style.

Beyond retail, Saigon Centre provides extensive Grade A office space. These offices serve as a business address for many multinational corporations. The complex also includes hospitality components. The Sedona Suites offers luxury serviced apartments in Tower 2. Tower 1 contains the Fusion Original Saigon Centre hotel. The entire development functions as an integrated work, retail, and residential hub.

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65 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

3 insider tips

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Saigon Centre

This mall houses international brands. It is a good option for those looking for specific fashion items like Uniqlo apparel.

PQ Side Quest · curator · Saigon Centre

This is a major mall in Ho Chi Minh City. Prices for international brands like Uniqlo are comparable to those in other countries. It offers a cool escape from the city heat.

Trip Moito · curator · Saigon Centre

This upscale destination offers international brands like Uniqlo. It also features local designers. This reflects evolving Vietnamese shopping habits.

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Experience a luxurious afternoon tea at the Park Hyatt Saigon.

Park Hyatt Saigon

Hotel · Ho Chi Minh City

Park Hyatt Saigon is a luxury hotel on Lam Son Square in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel stands opposite the Saigon Opera House. Its design reflects French colonial architecture. The building contains 245 guestrooms and suites. The hotel opened in 2005.

The property houses several distinct dining venues. Square One serves a menu of Vietnamese and French cuisine. The Michelin Guide has selected Square One for recognition. Opera is a trattoria-style restaurant serving Italian dishes. The 2 Lam Son bar offers a selection of cocktails and spirits. The Pastry Boutique sells freshly baked cakes and pastries.

Park Lounge provides the hotel’s signature afternoon tea service. The service includes a selection of savories, sweets, and premium teas. The hotel also features the Xuan Spa for wellness treatments. An outdoor 20-meter swimming pool is available for guests. A fitness center operates on the third floor.

The hotel occupies a historically significant site. It stands on the former location of the Brinks Hotel. The previous building was a residence for American officers. The current structure was designed to evoke a colonial mansion. It sits within walking distance of the Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace.

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2 Lam Son Square, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Park Hyatt Saigon

Enjoy a selection of savories, sweets, and various teas. This offers a relaxing break in a sophisticated setting.

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For dinner, go to Pizza 4P's Vo Van Kiet.

Pizza 4P’s Vo Van Kiet

Ho Chi Minh City

11:00-23:00 daily +8419006043

Pizza 4P’s Võ Văn Kiệt sits on Võ Văn Kiệt street. This District 1 restaurant offers Japanese-Italian pizza. It belongs to a respected restaurant group. The group combines Italian pizza methods with Japanese cooking. The restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas. It also prepares house-made pastas and fresh salads. The company uses a farm-to-table approach. It operates its own dairy farm in Đà Lạt. This farm produces fresh cheeses for all its dishes.

The menu lists many unique pizza and pasta creations. Guests enjoy the Soy Garlic Beef Pizza. The Crabmeat Tomato Cream Spaghetti is another favorite. The kitchen also makes a fresh Kale Salad. Besides pizzas, the restaurant provides appetizers. These include assorted house-made cheeses. Main courses are also available. Yosuke Masuko and Sanae Takasugi founded the company in 2011. Their first location opened in an alley off Lê Thánh Tôn street.

Kazufumi Suzuki designed the Võ Văn Kiệt branch interior. The design features natural materials. It showcases a modern aesthetic. Recycled wine bottles form the terrazzo. These bottles come from the company’s restaurants. The design also incorporates natural indigo dye. An open kitchen allows diners to view the pizza ovens. Guests can watch food preparation. The restaurant provides individual and communal seating options.

Pizza 4P’s began as one restaurant. It grew into a chain. Now it has locations across Vietnam and abroad. The brand focuses on ingredient quality. It stands out for its unique fusion concept. The Võ Văn Kiệt location serves nearby businesses and homes. It offers an alternative to the often-busy Bến Thành spot. The restaurant accepts reservations. It opens daily for both lunch and dinner.

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608 Võ Văn Kiệt, Phường Cầu Kho, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Pizza 4P’s Vo Van Kiet

Order the Kale Salad, Crabmeat Tomato Cream Spaghetti, or Soy Garlic Beef Pizza. This branch is a good alternative to the often-crowded Bến Thành location.

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Conclude your day at Nhâm Café.

Nhâm Café

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

Open 24 hours +84982784657

Nhâm Café is a coffee shop on Hoà Hưng street in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. The cafe operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It occupies a multi-story building designed to resemble a classic villa. The interior features a prominent, floor-to-ceiling wall of books. This large bookshelf serves as a central design element of the space.

The café’s design incorporates vintage and classic decor. A spiral staircase connects the floors. The space uses a color palette of black, grey, and brown, with elements like cement walls and red floor tiles. Seating is available across two levels and in an outdoor courtyard area. The venue attracts customers for photography, work, and social gatherings at all hours.

The menu offers a selection of coffees, teas, and fruit juices. The kitchen also prepares a variety of fresh pastries and cakes. These items are displayed in a glass case for customers to view. The establishment provides a setting for both individual work and group meetings. It has become a recognized location within the city’s café scene since its opening.

Nhâm Café opened in early 2024. The space is furnished with items like vintage radios, televisions, and wooden cabinets. The layout includes numerous small corners and larger open areas to accommodate different group sizes. The café maintains its full service throughout the night, catering to late-night workers and social groups.

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91/1 Hoà Hưng, Phường 12, Quận 10, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Vadhel Vergara · curator · Nhâm Café

This cafe has an Instagrammable bookstore atmosphere. Be prepared to pay with cash, as card payments are not accepted here.

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On another day, enjoy a casual stop at KATINAT, Nguyễn Huệ.

KATINAT, Nguyễn Huệ

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

07:00-23:00 daily 028 7300 1055

KATINAT Nguyễn Huệ is a coffee and tea house on Nguyễn Huệ street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The cafe occupies a prominent location directly on the city’s main pedestrian walking street. It operates as a branch of the Katinat coffee chain, which was founded in 2016. The brand name references the historic colonial-era Rue Catinat, now known as Đồng Khởi Street.

The menu features a wide range of beverages. It includes Vietnamese coffee preparations, cold brew, and espresso-based drinks. The cafe also serves an extensive list of fruit teas, milk teas, and fresh juices. Signature offerings include Trà Đào Dưa Lưới (Peach & Cantaloupe Tea) and Cold Brew Cam Sả (Orange & Lemongrass Cold Brew). A selection of cakes and pastries, such as tiramisu and mousse, is available to accompany the drinks.

The venue has a modern interior design across multiple levels. The space uses industrial materials, warm lighting, and a neutral color palette. Its upper floor provides seating with direct views overlooking the bustling pedestrian street below. The ground floor offers convenient access, and there is also outdoor seating for guests. The layout accommodates both individuals and small groups.

Katinat as a brand targets a young, urban demographic. It has expanded rapidly to operate numerous stores throughout Vietnam. The chain focuses on securing high-visibility corner locations for its branches. This specific outlet on Nguyễn Huệ is one of its most central and frequently visited locations in the city.

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105 Nguyễn Huệ, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

2 insider tips
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