December 26, 2011
Bao - Filmmaker/Photographer - Saigon, VietnamThe place I always eat: Cuc Gach Quan. The food and atmosphere here is really great. Owned by an architect, the name means “brick” and the setting is a restored French villa. It’s a bit tough to find though because it’s tucked away in a residential alley away. - 10 DangTat, Tan Dinh, District 1  Where to stay for the night: My parents have a river house that I usually stay at when I’m out in Saigon but just in case you don’t have the same situation as me, getting a reasonable rate at a five star hotel like the Intercontinental or Sheraton is quite easy. Sheraton just added a new tower with only suites which were surprisingly hip for a business minded chain like the Sheraton. Unfortunately there aren’t any real cool boutique hotels here yet but I hope to change that soon. The one place I take everyone: L’usine is a cafe, boutique, and gallery all rolled into one. It’s in a refurbished garment factory and it’s truly one of a kind in Vietnam. Every few months when I come to Saigon, it’s one of the first places I come to relax, do work, and catch up with old friends. Best local product you should try: I am a sucker for durian, which is a fruit notorious for its pungent smell. It’s one of the few things that Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods, could not eat so its definitely an acquired taste. You can find it in the States too but I find that it’s so much better in the tropical temperature of Saigon.The 2nd best kept secret: Things Cafe is a great spot that is hidden through a maze of apartment buildings. Go there if you want a quiet place to have a coffee and read a book. 1st Floor - 14 Ton That Dam, Dist. 1.

Bao - Filmmaker/Photographer - Saigon, Vietnam

The place I always eat:

Cuc Gach Quan. The food and atmosphere here is really great. Owned by an architect, the name means “brick” and the setting is a restored French villa. It’s a bit tough to find though because it’s tucked away in a residential alley away. - 10 DangTat, Tan Dinh, District 1 

Where to stay for the night:

My parents have a river house that I usually stay at when I’m out in Saigon but just in case you don’t have the same situation as me, getting a reasonable rate at a five star hotel like the Intercontinental or Sheraton is quite easy. Sheraton just added a new tower with only suites which were surprisingly hip for a business minded chain like the Sheraton. Unfortunately there aren’t any real cool boutique hotels here yet but I hope to change that soon. 

The one place I take everyone:

L’usine is a cafe, boutique, and gallery all rolled into one. It’s in a refurbished garment factory and it’s truly one of a kind in Vietnam. Every few months when I come to Saigon, it’s one of the first places I come to relax, do work, and catch up with old friends. 

Best local product you should try:

I am a sucker for durian, which is a fruit notorious for its pungent smell. It’s one of the few things that Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods, could not eat so its definitely an acquired taste. You can find it in the States too but I find that it’s so much better in the tropical temperature of Saigon.

The 2nd best kept secret:

Things Cafe is a great spot that is hidden through a maze of apartment buildings. Go there if you want a quiet place to have a coffee and read a book. 1st Floor - 14 Ton That Dam, Dist. 1.

6:07pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZhaDuxDpzYZT
(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: Cuc Gach Quan L'usine Saigon Things Cafe Vietnam durian intercontinental sheraton filmaker photographer 
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