Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [75]
Markets
The handiest market for De Tham is Thai Binh Market, down at the southwestern end of Pham Ngu Lao. Just about as near, and larger, is Ben Thanh Market(see "Ben Thanh Market and around"), the central market in the city centre. Cho Lon is served by Binh Tay Market(see "Binh Tay Market and around") on its southwestern border and by An Dong Market, northeast of it at the junction of Tran Phu and An Duong Vuong.
Ho Chi Minh City and around | Eating | Restaurants | Greater Ho Chi Minh City | Buying your own food: markets and supermarkets |
Supermarkets and provisions stores
Annam Gourmet Shop 16–18 Hai Ba Trung. Huge deli located downtown, pandering to the whims of expats and visitors alike.
Co-op Mart 189c Cong Quynh. Huge Western-style supermarket within easy walking distance of De Tham, selling clothes, toys, household goods, cosmetics and a good selection of Western foods. There’s also a large branch at 168 Nguyen Dinh Chieu.
Minimart 250 De Tham. Snacks, drinks and basic toiletries on sale in the budget district.
Parkson Plaza 39–45 Le Thanh Ton. On the fourth floor of this shopping mall is a supermarket selling a good range of imported goods.
Nhu Lan Bakery 66–68 Ham Nghi. Famed bakery selling bread, croissants and cakes.
Thuong Xa Supermarket 135 Nguyen Hué. On the first floor of this centrally located shopping plaza, this large supermarket sells, amongst other things, Western tinned and dairy products.
Veggy’s 15 Thai Van Lung. Well-stocked with imported meats, cheeses and cereals, this place is a popular shopping spot for local expats.
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Ho Chi Minh City and around |
Cafés, ice cream and desserts
Café culture, introduced by the French, is still very much alive in Ho Chi Minh City, and there are numerous places at which to round dinner off with an ice cream, crêpe or sundae. Earlier in the day, the same venues offer the chance to linger over a coffee and watch the world go by.
The following are all marked on the map "Eating and Drinking: Central Ho Chi Minh" except Café Sinh To and Highlands Coffee on "Eating & Drinking: De Tham".
Café Sinh To 231 De Tham. A no-frills but remarkably good-value juice bar bang in the centre of De Tham. Serves sandwiches too. 6am–10pm.
Fanny’s Ice Cream 29–31 Ton Thap Thiep. With its mustard-coloured walls, wrought-iron chairs and magazines to read, this is an ideal spot to enjoy a peach melba or maybe even a cocktail. 8am–11pm.
Gloria Jean’s 131 Dong Khoi. Formerly known as Brodard’s, this popular spot on Dong Khoi serves coffee, sandwiches and pastries. 7am–11pm.
Highlands Coffee 187 Pham Ngu Lao. Located at the hectic junction of De Tham and Pham Ngu Lao, this cool, a/c place has comfy armchairs and a flashy internet terminal, and serves cakes, sandwiches, smoothies and coffee. 7.30am–11pm
Java Coffee Bar 38–42 Dong Du. Cosy coffee bar in the heart of the downtown area, serving a few main dishes plus sandwiches and smoothies. 7.30am–11.30pm.
Kem Bach Dang 26 & 28 Le Loi. Twin open-fronted ice-cream parlours, revered for extravagant creations, some of which feature fruits from Da Lat; unfortunately, it’s a magnet for beggars who periodically stray inside. 9am–midnight.
La Dolce Vita Bar Hotel Continental, 132–134 Dong Khoi. Café, restaurant, bar and gelateria rolled into one, set in the refined courtyard surroundings of this Saigon institution. 7am–10pm.
La Fenetre Soleil 1st floor, 135 Le Thanh Ton (entrance at 125 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia). Don’t be put off by the dingy stairwell that leads up to this quirky café. An odd collection of chairs and tables, sofas and even a four-poster bed give the place a wonderfully offbeat feel. Order coffee or tea, a juice or a shake, a pudding or a jelly, and kick back. Functions as a bar (see "Drinking, nightlife and entertainment") in the evening. 11.30am–midnight.
Napoli Café 7 Pham Ngoc Thach. Terracotta tiles and al fresco tables breathe a rustic sigh through the Napoli, a short stroll above the cathedral; choose from a modest selection of main dishes, cakes, pastries