Nguyen Hue Walking Street photo credit: Visithcm.vn
First impressions of our Southern Vietnam adventure
This trip to Vietnam felt a little different for me – my parents weren’t in the country, which meant it could be a proper holiday for us rather than a family visit. That gave us the perfect excuse to explore the south, a part of Vietnam my husband and young daughter had never visited. For me, it had been many years since my last trip to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) so I was excited rediscover it.
We flew from Hanoi to HCMC, or Saigon, as locals fondly call it, in under two hours with Vietnam Airlines. We landed at the new terminal of Tan Son Nhat Airport, where luggage collection was quick and efficient despite having several large suitcases. Our driver from The Myst Dong Khoi Hotel was waiting patiently outside, ready to whisk us into the city.
The southern heat greated us warmly but felt more bearable than Hanoi’s summer, thanks to lower humidity and soft breeze. Unlike Hanoi’s four seasons, HCMC has just two: the dry season (December – April) and the rainy season (May – November). It’s warm all year round but slightly cooler during the rainy months, which made this perfect time to visit for us.
Our stay at The Myst Dong Khoi
A boutique hotel with Indochine elegance
When browsing hotels a few months earlier, The Myst immediately caught my eye with its artistic charm, leafy balconies and distinctive Indochine style. The design blends nostalgia with contemporary flair – hardwood floors, stained-glass windows, wrought-iron accents and handmade furnishings reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese homes.
For me, stepping into our room felt like stepping back into my childhood home of the 80s and 90s. My husband didn’t have that same nostalgic connection at first, calling it “too minimalist” but within a couple of days, he was just as smitten.
Our balcony featured a jacuzzi, which sadly functioned only as a bathtub after the jets refused to cooperate. Still, soaking in the warm evening air was a treat.
Lobby like a mini museum
The hotel’s lobby felt like a small museum, filled with vintage artefacts, traditional Vietnamese decor and curated pieces telling the stories of old Saigon. Outside, the hotel cafe offered light bites and drinks in a setting just as beautifully styled – complete with a massive ship anchor mounted on the wall. I became a loyal fan of their iced drinks, popping in daily for my fix.
Rooftop pool with a view
The long, narrow rooftop pool offered sweeping views of the Times Square building and the Bitexco Tower. We swam every morning before breakfast and often again in the afternoon after my daughter, Summer, made a friend to swim around with. My husband and I were more than happy to relax on a lounger or day bed, enjoying the breeze with a cold drink or a tea set for two.
Breakfast worth skipping lunch for
Breakfast each morning was an event. The buffet was served from a wooden boat and offered an incredible variety – tropical fruit juices, freshly baked pastries, breads, cakes and an array of both local and international hot dishes. It was impossible not to overindulge and we often skipped lunch entirely.
If I had one minor dislike, it was the signature scent used throughout the hotel. I’m usually a fan of lemongrass but this particular blend didn’t quite agree with me, though that’s likely just my sensitive nose.
Location and exploring Saigon
We couldn’t have chosen a better location – The Myst sits in one of the city’s most popular districts, just a few steps from the Saigon River. One afternoon, we took an hour-long boat ride. It was warm at first under direct sunlight but the return journey was blissfully breezy. From the water, Saigon’s skyline looked spectacular, with cranes and construction hinting at the city’s rapid growth. Our guide mentioned a pedestrian bridge project that will soon connect both banks of the river.
We also visited some Saigon’s well-known attractions, including the Independence Palace and the Museum of History – both rich in cultural and historical significance. And for a bit of shopping, we all loved browsing Ginkgo T-Shirt, a shop famous for its high-quality, locally designed apparel, as well as the charming souvenir and pottery shops along Dong Khoi Street.
Dinning in Ho Chi Minh City
A home-cooked feast with friends
One highlight was dinner at a close friend’s home. We’ve known each other for over 30 years. She and her family moved to Saigon a few years ago. She spoiled us with an amazing home-cooked spread: stir-fried morning glory, young rice sausage, fried tofu, stir-fried beef fillet with pineapple and Bún Thang. You can find some of these recipes on my blog. We were so caught up in eating and chatting that I forgot to take photos but sometimes it’s best to live in the moment.
Korean BBQ at King BBQ
Another evening, we ended up in the King BBQ restaurant at a shopping mall’s food court. Korean BBQ is hugely popular in Vietnam, and here we enjoyed BBQ beef ribs, chicken, pork grilled at our table, alongside kimchi soup and chilled glass noodle salad.
SH Garden – a hidden gem
From a list of recommended restaurants by my friend, we chose SH Garden, conveniently just a few doors from our hotel. Hidden up a narrow staircase, the space opened up to a spacious dinning area with well-spaced tables for privacy. The food was so good we over-ordered, were warned by the waiter and still managed to clear every plate.
A sweet Saigon treat – Bach Dang ice cream
We love ice cream, so one day on our way to Ben Thanh Market, we stopped at Bach Dang Ice Cream, one of the city’s beloved ice cream shops. They are famous for their coconut ice cream served in a fresh coconut and it was the perfect treat to cool down in the Saigon heat.
More food recommendations in Ho Chi Minh City
While time didn’t allow us to try every restaurant on my list, here are a few more places recommended by friends and locals:
Ran Bien 9 Restaurant – A must-visit for seafood lovers, offering fresh catches cooked in a variety of Vietnamese styles
Oc Dao – Famous for its sea snail dishes, a true local delicacy prepared with bold, fragrant flavours.
Lau ca keo Ba Huyen – Specialises in keo fish hot pot, a warming and tangy southern favourite.
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa – Widely regarded as the best banh mi shop in Saigon, packed with generous fillings (here is my homemade Banh Mi from scratch recipe).
Banh Xeo An Ghien – Serving crispy Vietnamese sizzling pancakes stuffed with prawns, pork and bean sprouts (my recipe here).
Ashima Mushroom Hotpot – A unique hot pot experience with a rich, fragrant broth and a variety of fresh mushrooms.
Com Tam Moc – Known for authentic broken rice dishes topped with grilled pork, egg and pickles (my homemade recipe)
Hu Tiu Chu Thanh – Serves comforting seafood noodle soup with a light yet flavourful broth.
Com Nieu Chu Chen – Traditional family-style Vietnamese food, including the signature clay pot rice.
Banh Trang Hoang Ty – Renowned for fresh summer rolls with generous herbs, pork and prawns.
Tips for visiting Saigon
- Best time to visit: December to April for dry, sunny days; May to November for cooler, rainier weather (still full of sun).
- Beat the heat: It can be very hot between 10am and 4pm, plan your sightseeing for mornings or late afternoons.
- Nightlife: Saigon is famous for its nightlife, with restaurants, bars and activities running late into the night. We couldn’t enjoy this part as much due to our daughter’s early bedtime, but it’s worth experiencing if you can.
- Tropical treats: Don’t miss out on tropical fruits and whole coconuts – we simply couldn’t get enough.
- Transport: Ride-hailing apps like Grab, Xanh SM make getting around easy and affordable.
- Currency: Cash is still preferred in many small eateries.
- Pace yourself: Saigon is busy and energetic, plan downtime to enjoy your hotel and relax.
Ho Chi Minh City truly exceeded our expectations. From the charm of The Myst Dong Khoi to rooftop pools, riverside views, creamy coconut ice cream and unforgettable meals, our stay was the perfect balance of relaxation, exploration and delicious discovery.
Please note: All photos in this post were taken by me and are copyrighted, unless credited otherwise.
