Vietnam forum

Posted from within Vietnam.

Most visitors to HCMC/SaiGon spend only a few days before either departing the country - or heading north.

As a result many miss the night markets ... and the nightly dining opportunities instead frequently haunting the tourist feeding holes that offer the same old choice. Break out and taste the difference!

Within walking distance of the Backpacker area and the upscale area around Dong Khoi and Hai Ba Trung Streets you could be hard pressed to discover fresh food cooked perfectly than the outside food areas of Ben Thanh Market.

Although the market proper closes at 18.00H (opens at 5.30H) the adjoining streets become populated with multiple restaurants offering dishes from all over VietNam although predominantly the south.

And the prices are hard to match. For example, a WHOLE fish cooked in ginger or fried or barbecued in aluminum foil with a soft-drink and a SaiGon beer only costs about VND95,000 (USD$5.94).

After you have filled yourself, take a stroll around the surrounding street markets. Another outlet that is very popular for retail therapy is the SaiGon Square on Pasteur near Le Loi. The adjoining restaurant is a good place to feed a hungry family.

At this time the centre lanes of Nguyen Hue have been blocked off and a series of exhibitions depict life in other parts of the country - not pictures but real ponds, plants and buildings.