Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
Vietnam : Ho Chi Minh - September 2009
FROM THE AIRPORT
Taxi:
There is always a fleet of taxis outside the arrivals terminal waiting to pick up passengers from incoming flights. Ho Chi Minh City Centre is approximately 30 minutes from Tan Son Nhat airport and should cost about $4-5 or VND60,000 by meter.
TABLE TALK
Cheap chic
Byblos
(11 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1. Tel. (0)8 3825 7781)
With Lebanese favourites, a
shisha lounge on the third floor and
belly dancers, Byblos is a fun place
for a group night out.
www.byblos.com.vn
Mid-range magic
Sandals
(93 Hai Ba Trung, District 1. )
The first Saigon outlet
from a Vietnam-wide chain, this
chic new eatery serves delicious
international food. The top floor bar
is fast becoming the place for evening
cocktails.
AFTER DARK
Cocktail hour
The Amber Room
(Upstairs at 59 Dong Du, District 1. Tel. (0)8 6291 3686)
The lovingly
prepared cocktails in this stylish oneroom
bar arent cheap, but theyre
worth it. Dont miss the addictive
Bellinis.
BODY & SOUL
Q Spa & Salon
(31 Ly Tu Trong, District 1. Tel. (0)8 3905 4609)
One of the best places
in town for affordable pampering,
Qs art deco interiors set it apart.
HOT SPOTS
Pasteur Street –Th e stretch of Pasteur
between Ton Th at Th iep and Huynh
Th uc Khang is lined with some
excellent restaurants, both old (Qing,
Cantina Central) and new (Th e
Elbow Room).
INSIDER TIPS
Say Des –In southern Vietnam, D
is pronounced as Y, so Le Duan,
one of the citys main boulevards, is
pronounced Le Yuan. Th e letter
Ð is pronounced th, as in the.
DAY TRIPPING
Ben Tre –Known for its abundant
coconut trees, this charming,
unassuming town is great for a
glimpse into life on the Mekong
Delta.
IN THE KNOW
Good guide –For the latest deals
and steals on food, drinks
and shopping, check out local
magazines for expats such as
Th e Word and AsiaLife. Th eyre
available in most bars and
restaurants across town.
Compiled by Thin Lei Win
Previous issues for Ho Chi Minh
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