Eating Like a Local in Saigon | Phu Nhuan Walking Tour
📸 All photos in this post are original and taken during my travels - Alan
Phu Nhuan District is a part of Ho Chi Minh City that doesn’t get as much attention as other areas, but it’s a place I’ve come to love after living here for about a month.
It’s a unique blend of both local charm and modern conveniences, making it feel like the best of both worlds. Not to mention, the food here is absolutely delicious.
Exploring My Neighborhood
Walking through my local neighborhood
I live on a small street that really captures the essence of Vietnam – the kind of Vietnam most people might envision when they think about the country. The street is busy, but it has a laid-back, welcoming vibe.
Friendly Locals and Busy Streets
Friendly locals I visit often
The people here are incredibly friendly, and the area has a welcoming vibe. During the day, it can get a bit busy, but that’s part of its charm. Sometimes, it’s quieter, but it’s mostly lively.
Win Mart about a few meter from where I stay
There’s a Win Mart nearby where you can grab some convenience store snacks, and plenty of street food vendors line the streets.
Me watching a friendly owner cook Bot Chien
I recently discovered a bot chien (fried rice cake) spot, and it brought back memories from my childhood. I was so excited to find it again!
The Local Market
This area also has a bustling market called Cho Tran Huu Trang where you can find fruits, vegetables, and all sorts of goods.
Walking around the local market, which looks almost identical to a mercado in Mexico
It reminds me of a mercado in Mexico – those indoor markets that are packed with fresh produce and other essentials. Although it’s narrower than the mercados I’m used to, this market still feels familiar.
Com Tam
One of two delicious cơm tấm spots just outside where I live
As for food, there are two spots where you can get com tam (broken rice), one right here and the other just down the street.
Laundry and Local Finds
Laundry spot I go to
There’s a laundry spot here too where I wash my clothes sometimes. It’s about 10,000 dong for 1 kg, which is a good deal.
I’ve never bought anything from the bakery here, but I usually see long lines
This bakery usually has a long line, but it’s quiet right now. People buy a lot of French bread here.
Friendly owner selling dessert caramel tofu
They also sell caramel tofu, which I used to eat as a kid. It’s pretty good.
Pho 69
Delicious Pho spot within walking distance from where I live
You’ll also find Pho Bo 69, which is some of the best pho I’ve tried, even compared to places like Da Nang and California.
Phu Nhuan’s Modern Side
Just up the street from where I live, it starts to look more modern with skyscrapers and newer looking businesses
If you walk a bit farther, the area starts to get more modern. There are skyscrapers, and it feels a lot more like a regular city. This area’s a little quieter than District 1. I don’t really go out here much, I prefer the local part of town.
VPBank ATM’s
About to use the ATM at VPBank near where I live
However, I do occasionally go to this part of town for the VPBank ATMs, which have no withdrawal fees on VPBank's side
More food recommendations
All of these food spots were recommended to me by locals and they were all great.
Mi Phung Ky
Walking by Mi Phung Ky, where I get delicious mì sủi cảo
Here’s where you can get delicious Mi Sui Cao at Mi Phung Ky. I mean, I’ve been eating Mi Sui Cao ever since I was a kid and this place is definitely good.
Quan Bun Bo Cao
Not the best bún bò Huế I’ve had, but definitely worth a try
Here’s where you can get some pretty good Bun Bo Hue.
Che 75
Chè 75 not only serves chè ba màu, but also offers plenty of other options
And this is the place where I go to buy Che Ba Mau, a dessert I love.
Conclusion
That’s pretty much it for today! Just wanted to share a bit about the area where I live and eat. If you’re into a mix of local charm and modern convenience, I think you’ll enjoy it here. So if you’re looking to escape the more touristy parts of Ho Chi Minh, like District 1, 3, or 7, this could be a cool spot to check out. You’ll get that local vibe, eat some great food, and experience a more everyday side of Vietnamese life.
Hello, I’m Alan!
I’m from California, slow traveling (slowmadding), staying productive, and exploring beyond the tourist spots—all on a budget.