If you want the best food and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, focus on District 1 and 3 for iconic street food like pho and banh mi, plus a growing line-up of MICHELIN-rated and modern Vietnamese restaurants clustered around Saigon’s central business and tourist areas.[1][3][5]
This focused Homejourney guide is a tactical companion to our main Vietnam pillar article, "Complete Guide to Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Homejourney" Complete Guide to Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Homejourney . Here we zoom in specifically on where to eat, how to plan meals safely, and how Singapore travellers and potential investors can use food districts to understand Saigon Vietnam’s liveability and property potential.
Why Ho Chi Minh City’s Food Scene Matters for Singapore Travellers & Investors
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, still widely called Saigon Vietnam) is one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting food cities, from humble plastic-stool street stalls to MICHELIN-starred tasting menus.[3][5] For Singaporeans who are used to hawker culture and curated malls, HCMC feels both familiar and refreshingly raw.
Many of the best eating streets, like Nguyen Thuong Hien and Vo Van Tan, sit in or near areas popular with expats and young professionals.[1][2] As in Singapore, food clusters often signal neighbourhood vibrancy and long-term rental demand—useful context if you later compare with projects on Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory .
Quick Orientation: When, Where & How to Eat in Saigon
Best time to visit for food: HCMC is hot year-round, but the drier months (roughly December–April) are more comfortable for street food walks at night markets like Ho Thi Ky Food Street.[2] Rainy season (May–November) is fine too; just plan more indoor restaurants for dinner.
Getting there from Singapore: Direct flights from Changi to Tan Son Nhat International Airport usually take about 2 hours; budget carriers frequently run promos that make Saigon weekends cheaper than many short-haul trips within Singapore.[2] From the airport, a taxi or Grab to District 1’s Ben Thanh area typically takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Currency basics: Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND). As of late 2025, 10,000 VND is roughly around S$0.55–0.60; always check live rates. Many classic street dishes cost 30,000–60,000 VND (around S$2–4), while mid-range restaurants run 150,000–400,000 VND per main (about S$9–25).[1][2] Homejourney supports currency comparison when you later review Singapore properties, so you can mentally benchmark rent, mortgage payments and renovation costs in VND-equivalent terms Bank Rates .
Must-Try Local Dishes in Ho Chi Minh City
If you know hawker classics like bak chor mee and chicken rice, you’ll appreciate how focused and specialised many Saigon stalls are. These are the key dishes Singapore visitors should prioritise.
Pho (Beef or Chicken Noodle Soup)
Pho is Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup, and HCMC has a dense cluster of excellent shops. Places like Pho Le in District 5 and Pho Mien Ga Ky Dong in District 3 are frequently cited for their rich broth and consistent quality.[1][2] Expect to pay roughly 60,000–90,000 VND (about S$3.50–5.50) for a hearty bowl, usually enjoyed at breakfast or a light late-night meal.
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa is often called the city’s most famous banh mi shop, with overstuffed pork, pate and cold-cut sandwiches on crisp baguettes.[1] It sits in District 1, about a 10–12 minute walk from Ben Thanh Market. A sandwich is commonly 40,000–60,000 VND, still under S$4 for what feels like a full meal.
For a more old-school sit-down vibe, Banh Mi Hoa Ma in District 3 serves a plated version (banh mi op la) with eggs and assorted meats, ideal for a slow brunch before exploring nearby cafes.[1]
Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Com tam is broken rice usually topped with grilled pork chop, egg and pickles. Com Tam Tran Qui Cap in District 3 and Ca Phe Do Phu, a wartime-themed cafe that doubles as a com tam spot, are favourites mentioned by regional food writers.[1] Portions are generous, and this is one of the best-value lunches for Singapore travellers.
Bun Thit Nuong & Other Noodle Dishes
Bun thit nuong (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs) at Bun Thit Nuong Nguyen Trung Truc is one of the most cited bowls in the city.[1] Other local noodles to search for include hu tieu (clear broth noodles) and bun rieu (crab tomato noodle soup), both commonly found around central districts and food streets like Ho Thi Ky.[2]
Vietnamese Coffee & Sweet Treats
For many Singapore visitors, Vietnamese coffee is a highlight. Strong robusta-based brews, often with condensed milk (ca phe sua da), can be found everywhere from alleyway stools to air-conditioned cafes. For a culture-meets-history stop, Ca Phe Do Phu doubles as a mini-museum of wartime Saigon while serving coffee and rice plates.[1]
Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City: From Street Food to MICHELIN
To balance safety, flavour and authenticity, think of HCMC dining in three layers: trusted street stalls, mid-range modern Vietnamese restaurants, and high-end MICHELIN or World’s 50 Best–associated venues.[1][3][5][6]
Street Food & Casual Local Spots (Safe, High-Value Options)
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (District 1) – Famous takeaway banh mi; go early evening to avoid long queues.[1]
- Pho Le (District 5 & District 3) – Rich, beefy pho in airier shop-house settings; cleaner than some back-alley options and popular with locals.[1][2]
- Com Tam Tran Qui Cap (District 3) – Reliable broken rice with grilled pork; good lunch stop between sightseeing.[1]
- Bot Chien Dat Thanh (District 3) – Fried rice flour cakes with egg; especially lively late afternoon to night.[1]
- Ho Thi Ky Food Street – A dense collection of skewers (xien que), noodles and snacks; be slightly more cautious with raw greens if you have a sensitive stomach.[2]
Modern Vietnamese & Date-Night Restaurants
For Singapore couples or business travellers who prefer restaurant-style comfort but still want Vietnamese flavours, look for contemporary venues in District 1 and 3. Many are in converted villas or shop-houses with air-conditioning and multilingual menus.[6]
The World’s 50 Best Discovery list highlights places like Anan Saigon for inventive street food–inspired tasting menus, as well as La Villa for French fine dining in a villa setting.[6] These restaurants usually require reservations and cost closer to S$60–150 per person depending on drinks and courses, similar to Singapore CBD or Dempsey-level dining.
MICHELIN-Starred & MICHELIN-Selected Restaurants
HCMC joined the MICHELIN Guide in recent editions, underscoring its growing culinary reputation.[3][5] The 2025 guide lists Ho Chi Minh City restaurants ranging from MICHELIN-starred innovators like CieL and Coco Dining to MICHELIN-Selected venues such as Bà Cô Lốc Cốc, Hoi An Sense, Nephele, Okra FoodBar, ST25 by KOTO and The Albion by Kirk Westaway.[3][5]
These restaurants offer a familiar level of safety, service and wine programs comparable to upper mid-range and fine dining in Singapore, making them good choices for client dinners or celebration nights.
Safety, Hygiene & Practical Tips for Singapore Travellers
Compared with Singapore’s strictly regulated NEA-licensed hawker centres, HCMC’s street food hygiene can feel less predictable. With a few habits, you can still eat adventurously while staying safe.
