What does your first 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh City taste like?
According to Vietnam Travel Diaries, it involves dodging beef breakfasts, tucked-away cafés, fancy fusion dining, and late-night desserts.
In Episode 1, host Peter and his friend Kavi Vu journey through the streets of Saigon, tasting their way through both tradition and innovation.
Ready for a bite? Let’s follow their footsteps!
9:30 AM - The Morning Wake-Up Call at Bò Né Thanh Tuyền
Saigon doesn't do slow mornings, at least not when there's bò né involved. Vietnam's take on a sizzling steak-and-egg skillet, the name literally means "dodging beef," a playful nod to how the oil splashes when served piping hot.
What makes this version special isn't just the runny eggs or the crunchy baguette; it's the sounds of metal spoons clattering against cast-iron, the smoke rising off the pan, and the way locals enjoy it even in the sweaty, hot weather. For Peter, the show's host, it's a "typical morning meal with steak and egg, but the Vietnamese way—hot, loud, sizzling with flavors."
- Open hours: 6-11 AM
- Address: Bò Né Thanh Tuyền - 20/6 Nguyen Truong To, D4, HCMC
12:00 PM - A Midday Pause in the Chaos at Hidden Nest Café
After a heavy breakfast, the city demands a pause. Hidden Nest Café, tucked into a downtown condominium, offers precisely what is needed. The space opens into bright orange ceilings, blue chairs, and clean-lined furniture, giving it a retro-futuristic atmosphere where conversation flows naturally.
At Hidden Nest Café, each drink arrives with careful attention to presentation. They are primarily known for serving specialty coffee sourced from select roasters around the world. The menu also features high-quality, creative matcha offerings. Here, you might find yourself sipping a Yuzu Matcha Soda or a Cold Brew Yuzu Tonic—refreshing antidotes to Saigon's summer heat.
More than just a coffee stop, the Hidden Nest Cafe is a moment to recharge with calm, stylish, and completely in tune with Saigon’s creative pulse.
- Open hours: 8 AM - 9:30 PM
- Address: Hidden Nest Café - 3rd Floor, 35 Nguyen Van Trang, D1, HCMC
5:00 PM - Tradition Meets Contemporary Cool at MâmMâm
By early evening, dinner service begins across the city. MâmMâm represents the newer wave of Vietnamese restaurants—the name means “mâm” (tray), referencing the Vietnamese traditional way of serving shared meals.
Rooted in both tradition and environmental awareness, MâmMâm’s space is where design meets cultural storytelling. At the heart of the restaurant is a striking circular ceiling centerpiece, evoking the traditional mâm tray used in Vietnamese family meals, which anchors the restaurant in its culinary roots. Beneath it, an open kitchen and bar area create a seamless connection between the chefs and the diners.
The restaurant takes familiar Vietnamese cuisine and elevates it with global influences and modern techniques, transforming street food concepts into upscale presentations. The menu centers on Vietnamese dishes reimagined with contemporary flair.
The agreeable nods of Peter and his friend, Kavi, when enjoying their udon and rice said it all: this is the kind of meal that rewrites your idea of what Vietnamese food can be.
- Open hours: 8 AM - 10 PM (Monday-Friday), 4 PM - 10 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
- Address: MâmMâm Eatery and Lounge - 3A-3B Ton Duc Thang, D1, HCMC
7:00 PM - The Sweet Ending at Chè Cô Điệp
If you’re still standing after all that, you earn dessert. And the city's answer to dessert should be chè—a Vietnamese sweet soup.
Chè Cô Điệp has been operating for nearly 40 years, serving variations from chè bà ba (layered jellies, beans, coconut cream, and crushed ice) to chè chuối (banana sweet soup). The stall operates streetside under fluorescent lighting, typical of Ho Chi Minh City's dessert vendors.
- Open hours: 5:45 PM - 9:30 PM
- Address: 241 Vo Van Tan, D3, HCMC
And that was twenty-four hours, four meals, and countless revelations with Peter and Kavi. You move from dodging oil splatter at breakfast to savoring refined plating at dinner; yet somehow, the fluorescent-lit dessert stall feels just as essential. Saigon, in a nutshell, is a city where every meal tells you something different about what it means to eat well here.
About Vietnam Travel Diaries
Vietnam Travel Diaries is a part of Flavors Vietnam – a series that brings Vietnam’s vibrant culinary scene and unique culture to life through high-quality, engaging videos designed to connect with and inspire both international and local audiences.
Watch Vietnam Travel Diaries, Episode 1
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