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The first time I set foot in Saigon, more commonly known today as Ho Chi Minh City, I was 21 years old and had been to exactly one other country outside the USA. I had never tasted fish sauce, never ridden a motorbike, never sniffed the pungent odor of a ripe durian. Vietnam was a country WAY outside my comfort zone. Like the baby traveler I was, I hopped from tourist town to tourist town sleeping in hostels and subsisting on a diet of mostly crispy spring rolls and fried rice. I probably only ate one single bowl of pho during my month-long trip.
Why am I telling you this? Because my first time in Ho Chi Minh City…I hated it. I thought it was boring and had little to offer travelers stopping in for a quick 2-day visit. And sure, when compared to the smog-choked chaos of Hanoi’s Old City, the colorful colonial streets of Hoi An, and the rocky karsts of Ha Long Bay–Ho Chi Minh is “boring”. But after 3 more visits to the country, it’s also become my very favorite city. The city I would most happily live in outside my home country. Food has A LOT to do with that. This guide on where to eat in District 3 Ho Chi Minh City will help you love the city too.
HCM has a little bit of everything. But if you just pass through on your way to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta without diving into the local food scene a little bit…you might hate it too.
The Best Neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City
District 3. My top choice for where to stay in Saigon.
HCM is divided into 24 large districts and transportation between them (aside from a Grab Taxi) is limited. Vietnam is largely a walking country for travelers so where you stay has a HUGE impact on whether or not you are bound to like the city.
I would venture that about 90% of visitors to HCM stay in District 1. This is the “downtown” district. Here you’ll find all the bougie shops, tourist restaurants, most of the hostels, and lots of loud trashy bars. It’s simply not an area where locals hang out. Or where I want to hang out. But it’s close to all the major tourist sights so people get sucked into staying here.
Don’t do it. Stay in District 3 (I highly highly recommend Hello Saigon Homestay). This is nicknamed the “expat district” because it’s close enough to the major sights, has LOTS of local favorites for both food and coffee, and rather than large city streets this district is mostly made up of small scenic alleyways with lots of residential housing. It’s beautiful, it has a ton to offer foodies, and it has all the comforts of a modern-day metropolis.
Note: Accommodation in HCMC is more expensive than anywhere else in Vietnam. I felt this was a fair warning since you’ll either be just arriving in the country or be used to spending $10 a night for a very nice room. In HCMC I would expect to about double that price for a comfortable stay. Hello Saigon Homestay is 100% worth the price.
Best Street Food in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Let’s start with the good stuff in this where to Eat in District 3 Ho Chi Minh City. Street eats.
Hủ tiếu Nam Vang Trung Còi
Must-Eat Meal: Dry Cambodian Noodle
This little shop has both dry noodles and a soup version done in the Cambodian style. It’s widely recognized by locals as a favorite in the neighborhood. Be sure to add all the veggies in and drink lots of pandan-flavored tea that they make fresh in-house.
Address: Hủ tiếu Nam Vang Trung Còi, Đường Cao Thắng, Phường 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Phở Ông Cả
Must-Eat Meal: Beef Pho
Great straightforward beef pho. This is really popular during breakfast time.
Address: 66B Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 4, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Grilled Bananas w/ Coconut Milk
You can find grilled bananas with a little peanut and coconut milk sprinkling wrapped in a banana leaf all over the city. But this little spot is tasty and right in the thick of district 3.
Address: 378 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bánh Xèo 335/2
Must-Eat Meal: Bánh Xèo
Not my personal favorite, but an iconic staple of southern Vietnamese cuisine. It’s essentially a shrimp pancake with lots of mung bean sprouts. This is where the dish went wrong for me. Too much sprouts. But it could be your kind of thing! This specific shop is on all the local food tours.
Address: 335/2 Điện Biên Phủ, Phường 4, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bún thịt nướng – Nguyễn Trung Trực
This unassuming plastic stool on the sidewalk shop is serving some incredible pork balls. Go at peak lunchtime to find her at the address below.
Address: 1 Đ. Nguyễn Trung Trực, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cơm gà xối mỡ Su Su
Must-Eat Meal: Fried chicken + red rice.
Fried chicken Vietnamese-style. While my favorite fried chicken is 100% in South Korea, this might take second place. The owner invented his own chicken frying machine that spouts a waterfall of oil onto the chicken pieces over and over again until it’s reached that perfectly crisp doneness.
Address: 117/1D Đ. Cống Quỳnh, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
Bánh Mì Hòa Mã
Must-Eat Meal: Breakfast Bahn Mi Plate
Famous. Delicious. Authentic. This is my favorite place for breakfast in all of District 3 HCMC. They serve a deconstructed breakfast Bahn Mi with little protein cakes in addition to the traditional meats. The iced coffee here is also top-notch.
Address: 53 Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Auntie Ut Indian Stewed Beef
Must-Eat Meal: Stewed beef soup with noodles.
This is one of those dishes that does fusion right. It’s like a curry and a pho had a baby and it’s so phenomenally tasty. It has slow-stewed beef, carrots, and a few other veggies.
Address: 194/5 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bun Bo Hue Huong Giang
Must-Eat Meal: Rare Beef Bun Bo Hue
This is the most popular bun bo hue in HCMC. I found it more fishy than the other version I included on this list but still balanced.
Address: 325 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bột Chiên Đạt Thành
Must-Eat Meal: Rice cake w/ scallion & egg, pork dumplings.
Looking for late-night comfort food? This shop is open late and serves a handful of dishes that are all done well. We ate here 3-4 times during our time in HCMC.
Address: 277 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bánh Mì Chảo Buê Đuê – Cô Lệ
Pro: delicious cheese, Con: The sausage is crunchy and there is fish on this one. But this deconstructed Bahn Mi is well worth a try if you liked the one mentioned above. Or if you’re a fish for breakfast fan.
Address: Lô E – chung cư Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Hẻm 213 Đ. Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Phường 1, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Juice Shop Across the Street
You must try the fresh juice in Vietnam. This little alleyway stall always had my favorite…Soursop juice!
Rough Address: 69/1 Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Song Anh Bun Bo Hue
This is my favorite Bun Bo Hue. In a weird way, I found the broth to taste like fruit loops. Don’t knock it until you try it. They also have some yummy soy-based desserts here.
Address: 28A Bàn Cờ, Phường 3, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Visit a Food Street
Vietnam doesn’t do full markets like Thailand (usually). Instead, they have “food streets” where loads of casual dining restaurants and street vendors all serve food around the same time. Here are two good ones in District 3.
- Nguyen Thurong Hien Street near Bánh Tráng Trộn Sạch Cô Thảo
Here you’ll find EVERYTHING. Dim Sum, pork skewers, chicken and rice, bun bo hue, and more.
2. Morning market on the way to Bánh Mì Chảo Buê Đuê – Cô Lệ
At this morning market, you can find dishes like bamboo noodles, passionfruit juice, and pho.
Best Restaurants in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
For when you’re wanting something a little fancier. Or just in more of a sit-down setting.
Chả Cá Lã Vọng
Must-Eat Meal: Catfish and Dill
This kind of fried fish is more of a Hanoi staple. But it’s a must-eat because of how WELL this place does it.
Address: 7 Hồ Xuân Hương, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Den Long – Home Cooked Vietnamese Restaurant
Must-Eat Meal: Crab, Shrimp, and Pork Spring Rolls, Tonkin Flower, Soft Shell Crab.
This place is a little touristy. Not in the taste necessarily, but in the price and the clients. There are always loads of foreigners here. But the dishes above are excellent when you’re craving a departure from soups. Be careful because the menu here is huge and not all the dishes are up to the caliber of the ones I mentioned.
Address: 1st Floor, 130 Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Best Coffee in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
This is why I could live in this city. Well, that and the general ambiance, incredible food, and kind people.
You can get AMAZING Vietnamese Coffee on every corner (the kind that’s super strong and mixed with condensed milk). Seriously, even the street food places can usually procure you an iced coffee. This list covers the more traditional espresso and co-working kinds of coffee places.
Barista Collective
More on the expensive side but good Wi-Fi and lots of greenery. I really enjoyed their coconut cold brews!
Address: 41 Hồ Xuân Hương, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Cà Phê Đỗ Phủ – Bảo Tàng Biệt Động Sài Gòn
This place is more than just coffee. It’s an old preserved Viet Cong house with a secret underground bunker. Be sure to ask to go in the bunker and visit the museum house next door. Drink your coffee (Vietnamese-style) upstairs on the balcony.
Address: 270 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
The Coffee House
Okay, this one is a chain but the franchise in HCMC District 3 is so large and comfy for working on your laptop that it makes this list.
Address: 86-88 Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 4, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
The Little Bean Coffee
While the A/C situation here is not great– the coffee is the best. You can get all kinds of espresso drinks with unique Vietnamese flavors and more traditional drinks as well.
Address: 75 Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Too many people stick to District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City and leave disappointed in the quality of the food or the touristy nature of the city. But HCMC is massive and each district is so different from the last. This giant list of where to eat in District 3 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam covers all the basics and is sure to leave you full and satisfied.
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