Must-visit tomb of Nguyễn Dynasty hero in HCM City
Not far from a crowded market in HCM City is a temple that enshrines a revered hero with a bloody family tragedy. HCM CITY — Not far from a crowded market in HCM City is a temple that enshrines a revered hero with a bloody family tragedy. Ông Bà Chiểu Temple sits on a piece of land that is shaped like a turtle’s back and slightly higher than its surroundings. The temple’s location is considered supreme in feng shui terms. It is located next to Bà Chiểu Market in Bình Thạnh District and is where hero and high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyễn Dynasty, Lê Văn Duyệt (1764-1832), is buried along with his wife Đỗ Thị Phận. The temple has four gates named after the cardinal directions, with the Southern Gate now used as the main one. According to the monument management board, 100-200 locals and foreigners visit every day. During Tết (Lunar New Year), 100,000 people visit to pay their respects.
Explore the first museum in southern Việt Nam
The HCM City Museum of History is located at Nguyễn Bỉnh Kiêm Street in District 1, set beside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which were built by the French colonialists. HCM CITY The HCM City Museum of History is located at Nguyễn Bỉnh Kiêm Street in District 1, set beside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which were built by the French colonialists. The museum opened in 1929 with a harmonious combination of French and Asiatic influences. Both the building and the surrounding gardens give an exceptional escape from the bustling vibe of the city. The museum itself has an area of 3,000 square meters and is divided into several rooms with 18 display spaces. All the rooms are connected with each other through the main hall. One of the largest museums in the south, it has more than 40,000 artifacts from many countries and ethnic groups. The displays consist of two main parts. The first exhibit’s artifacts of Vietnamese history dating from the prehistoric era to the end of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945), the country’s last royal family; the other features the history of southern Việt Nam and some Asian countries. The museum is open seven days a week and the entry fee is VNĐ30,000 (US$1.3).
Egg Coffee: An amazing drink with a special taste.
History of egg coffee Egg coffee appeared in Hanoi in the fifties of the last century. The story of the origin of this coffee is still handed down by word of mouth to this day. When Western coffee products were introduced to Vietnam, they soon won the hearts of customers. With the desire to create a similar drink with available ingredients and lower costs. At present, fresh milk is scarce, so the cafe owner has used egg yolk as an alternative. Surprisingly, that drink was praised by everyone and became a specialty. How does it taste? Egg coffee is a combination between the mild bitterness of coffee and the fat of chicken eggs. It’s suitable for those who can’t drink coffee but still want to enjoy this drink. It is the sweet, fatty taste of eggs and milk that will melt away the bitterness of coffee, keeping the sweet and attractive aroma. Where to get this drink in Saigon? 1.RuNam D’Or 📍3 Cong Xa Paris Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.2.3T Ca Phe Trung 📍1A Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. 3. Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Yersin) 📍119/5 Yersin, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. 4. Flat White Coffee 📍274 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. 5. Vietphin Coffee 📍89 Canh Mang Thang Tam, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. 6. Xô Bồ Coffee 📍11 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 17, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.
What for breakfast in Vietnam: Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
Vietnamese broken rice (or steam-broken rice) is a highly recommended Vietnamese food. Called “com tam” in Vietnamese, as its name suggests, it is made from broken rice. In the late 19th century, steamed broken rice was a popular dish among poor farmers in the Mekong Delta. During hard seasons, the locals did not have enough good rice to eat. They had to use broken rice to cook, which is fragments of rice grains fractured during the handling process. The locals had to steam such broken rice to overcome hunger. Since Vietnam started the urbanization process in the first half of the 20th century, this dish became popular in the Southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City. It was then gradually modified to suit the tastes of foreign visitors from France, America, China, India, etc. Grilled pork and Vietnamese steamed omelet were added. The portion would be put on a plate and diners would use a fork to eat instead of chopsticks. In the past, the grains were inevitably broken during milling; but now, people have to deliberately break the rice. This dish is now a culinary highlight in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Southern Vietnam in general. | Saigonbiketours
What for breakfast in Vietnam: Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Noodles Soup)
Bún Bò Huế is a popular Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup meant Hue beef noodle soup, containing rice vermicelli and beef. Bún Bò Huế originally from Hue that why is its name recognized as a label First of all, Hue was an old capital in central Vietnam has the cooking style of the former royal cooking. Therefore, the dish is famous for its balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. And the special flavor of Bun Bo Hue is that of bone, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Another, compared to Phở in the North or Bún riêu in the South, the noodles are thicker and round shaped In Hue, Bún Bò Huế seems like for breakfast rather than lunch or dinner. As a result, you can see this soup everywhere. While you can eat as dinner at many street stalls too. | Saigonbiketours
What for breakfast in Vietnam: Bánh Mì.
Tourists in Vietnam love bánh mì and can be seen eating it all the time: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, among Vietnamese, it is considered more of a breakfast or lunch meal, rather than the main meal. The spicy Vietnamese sandwich needs little introduction: a French baguette, fresh herbs, secret sauces (sweet-n-sour mixed with mayonnaise perhaps?), and an endless variety of toppings, from North to South and everywhere in between — and increasingly taking over the cosmopolitan cities of the West. However, the Western banh mi’s pale in comparison to the real thing. | Saigonbiketours
𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄
Standing magnificently at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City is the Saigon Opera House, which is also known as the Municipal Theater. The building stands as one of the most impressive sights in Saigon – both night and day. Saigon Opera House was built in 1898 by the French architect – Eugene Ferret, following the “flamboyant” style of the French Third Republic. It was set to be two meters higher than the street surface with two-door layers, in order to prevent traffic noise. Built-in parallel structure, the Opera House is located on the city’s center axis, connecting the metro station and roundabout in front of Ben Thanh market. From a distance, the Opera House looks like a beautiful gigantic city gate. The architecture boasts stone-carved ornaments and statues at the entrance, crystal chandeliers, and a shiny granite floor in the lobby area – all built with materials imported from France. The oval auditorium with 468 seats offers a good view from every seat. It is also echo-free and therefore preserves all the sound inside the theatre. The theatre is now a venue for many high-profile events and cultural – entertainment activities in the city. Certified as a national relic in 2012, this magnificent building stays on top of the must-visit of Ho Chi Minh City. 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 – January 17th, 1900: The first show of the Opera House was performed by French actors and actresses. – November 18th, 1918: The first time Vietnamese organized a performance at the Opera House, which is a play mixed with Cai Luong, a theatrical genre from Southern Vietnam, often known as Vietnamese Opera. – 1945 – 1955: The Opera House was closed during World War II and reopened in 1955 – after the Geneva Convention (1954), and became Southern Vietnam’s Assembly House. – May 1975: it is officially named the city’s opera house. – 1996: Saigon Opera House is closed for renovation. – December 18th, 1998: Inauguration ceremony of Saigon Opera House after 2 years of renovation. The event marked the 300th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City. – 2012: The Opera House is certified as a National Relic. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 – The Opera House was built in 1898 and carried out 3,200,000 square meters in total areas. – The theater was set to be two meters higher than the street surface with two-door layers in order to prevent traffic noise. – The oval auditorium with 468 seats offers a good view from every seat. It is also echo-free and therefore preserves all the sound inside the theatre. – The major renovation, which cost USD 1.7 million at the time, took 2 years from 1996 to 1998 to finish. 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 “𝐀 𝐎” 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 The name “A O” derives from “Lang Pho”, which means “village and city”. The show depicts the charming beauty and cultural richness of Vietnamese life in the countryside, in contrast with the nation’s racing urbanization. The show is a unique mix of bamboo circus, acrobatic acts, dance, and theatrical visual art. The live music echoes Vietnamese Southern work songs. All in all, this beautiful blend of genres creates a unique stage language, which well captures the essence of Vietnam’s fascinating culture. 𝐓𝐞𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐫 Teh Dar invites the audience on a venture into the enchanting world of Vietnamese highlanders. Wild animal hunts, moonlit romance, and jungle tales of death and reincarnation are all recreated with stunning Vietnamese Bamboo Circus, daring acrobatics, and hypnotizing melody from exotic tribal instruments certified cultural heritage by UNESCO. Meaning ‘going in circle’ in the highland tribe K’ho’s tongue, Teh Dar embraces and preserves beautiful and diverse Vietnamese tribal cultures. As the artists keep inspiring, the circle of tribal life keeps going, the cultures shall remain. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭 The Mist tells a story of Southern Vietnamese farming life, expressed through neo-classic and contemporary dance by skilled artists. Using rice cultivation as a metaphor to appreciate farmers’ dedication, from their misty dawn on the fields, their hardship and willpower to rise up from humble muddy soil, to brace storms, to the moment they arrive joyously like shining pearls at harvest. The Mist is an hour of emotions, with myriad ups and downs, painted by sensational live music, splendid visuals, and colorful lighting effects. | 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 – “𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚” 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧
For a long time, Saigon snackers considered grilled rice paper to be like a Western pizza, with the same hard layer as the base and the filling, the only difference being that rice paper is sold on sidewalks and streets, while pizza is usually available in restaurants. Those who have not tried it will be curious. And once enjoyed, it will definitely be “addicted” and remembered forever.For young people in Saigon, grilled rice paper is a favorite snack that almost no one does not know. According to many people, grilled rice paper originated from Da Lat, was introduced to Saigon, and emerged about 5 years ago. This dish has a distinct and unique taste, becoming an indispensable part of Saigon street food. The cake is made from many ingredients including rice paper, chicken eggs, quail eggs, minced meat, butter, sausages, scallions, chili, ham, seafood, etc. Depending on the maker, the filling has different ingredients different: Egg tart, minced meat cake, or mixed.Young people in Saigon still call grilled rice paper “Oriental pizza” or “street pizza”. The reason it is so named is due to the way it is processed and the appearance is quite similar to a pizza.Rice paper as the base (shell) is baked on a charcoal stove, usually small, thin, and fragrant with coconut milk. After the rice paper is hot, people crack quail eggs or butter, spread evenly on the surface of the cake, and sprinkle more finely chopped fried eggs, ham, scallions, sausages, and minced meat,… on top, and bake until puffs gradually and the ingredients cook evenly.The grilled rice paper is fragrant and crispy, and with a little chili sauce, you will not be able to help but stir because of the fatty taste of eggs, the salty taste of ham, the sweetness of minced meat, and the aroma of onions and coconut water rice paper,… The combination makes you eat forever but the craving is not over yet. You can fold the cake or cut it into pieces just like eating pizza. Ms. Hong Linh, who has more than 3 years of selling baked rice paper at Ho Con Rua (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), said that it only takes about 3-5 minutes for a cake to come out of the oven, does not have to wait long and costs only from 20 to 20 minutes. 25,000 VND for a cake full of delicious and quality ingredients. Baking must be continuous, evenly hand must be skillful so that the base of the cake does not burn but the ingredients above are still cooked evenly.Linh said, not only young Vietnamese but also many foreigners like and love to eat grilled rice paper, especially Korean tourists. At first, they were very curious because a street cake looked like a pizza, they tried it and then “addicted”. There is a Korean expert guy who is her loyal customer, almost every afternoon, he goes out to buy cakes and eats deliciously.Talking about snacks made from rice paper, perhaps Ho Chi Minh City is number one. In this city, there are many varieties like this: mixed rice paper, pork rice paper, dried shrimp rice paper, grilled rice paper, rice paper soaked in onion oil, etc. Don’t forget to enjoy grilled rice paper if you have the opportunity to come to Saigon and don’t forget to invite your friends to try it. A crispy cake, a glass of lemon tea, and cool iced peach tea for slightly hot weather are too true to the street food of modern Saigon.To be able to enjoy delicious “street pizza” right, you can go to Turtle Lake. And remember that if you eat it for the first time, choose a mixed type of filling, so you can enjoy all the deliciousness, the “essence” of this dish!|Bánh Tráng Nướng – “Pizza đường phố” Sài Gòn ….. SaiGonBikeTours.
𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐍
Saigon’s sidewalks are dyed golden brown in May as hollong petals descend to the ground, heralding the approaching rainy season.Hollong trees (Dipterocarpus retusus), known as “cho nau” in Vietnamese, can be found across the city, though Pham Ngoc Thach, Le Quy Don, and Le Duan streets in District 1 and District 3 are home to the densest population. Every March, Dipterocarpus retusus flowers bloom with a mild fragrance. Come April, these trees begin to grow seeds. As the weather heats up at the beginning of May, their petals turn brown and spin to the ground.The flowers have two petals that turn brownish yellow when they dry. They often spin like a pinwheel when the wind blows before carpeting the sidewalks. The Dipterocarpus retusus is a large tree and perhaps the best-known species in the genus Dipterocarpus. It is native to China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries.Fallen “cho nau” seeds on a street in Saigon.The pair of “rabbit ears” whirled in intense love with the wind, and then the seemingly romantic love story ended quickly. The wind returned to the clouds, leaving the dry seeds lying flat on the ground despite being mercilessly beaten, but at least, the “cho nau” shone brightly once before being forgotten.For many Saigonese, the spinning seed heralds the nearing monsoon season. The “flying hollong season” usually begins in late April and early May in Saigon. The first time I admired the flying boat on Mac Dinh Chi street was more than a decade ago. On a sunny afternoon at the bus stop, the “rabbit ears” are still the same, sparkling in the afternoon sun next to their lover – the wind. Love is beautiful but sad!| Mùa Chò Bay – Flying Hollong Season……SaigonBikeTours.