Lucky Cricket

Do you remember the scene in the beginning of Mulan when the grandma takes the cricket, closes her eyes, and marches across four lanes of horses, carts, and buggies? After she makes it across the street she smiles and holds up the cricket and screams: It’s a lucky one! Picture that and hope you packed your lucky cricket to cross over four lanes of speeding motorbikes in Saigon.

Stepping off the curb is putting your life into the hands of hundreds of speeding Vietnamese. Some on their way to work in suits, others carrying huge loads to the markets, women riding side saddle in heels and even families of four weaving in and out of each other like it is second nature. But it all works. The streets are alive with colors, people, and restaurants, each alleyway having its own personality.

Navigating the huge city can be daunting at first but at almost every corner there is a landmark to find your bearings. Be careful not to venture too far towards the river, it is a six-lane road with no stop lights—if you reach the end you need to walk all the way back to the nearest round-a-bout.

Almost every place we travel is semi-centered around food. Traditional Vietnamese and Western combined; we are always searching for the local eats and great deals. Hong Phat, located at 7905 Luot Xm Street, has the best noodles in all of Saigon and a great lunch spot. This Saigon classic has been around sin 1975. Dry Cambodian noodles filled with beef, chicken, and shrimp accompanied by homemade meatballs and a seafood dumpling, you won’t be hungry for dinner.

If you are looking for a swanky, open-aired dinner spot that won’t empty your wallet, Nha Hang Ngon is a crowd pleaser. The menu is extensive from a simple bowl of fried rice to meet platters for two. The atmosphere is acceptable to button ups and running shoes and the out door patio is relaxing and a perfect way to end the day of braving the busy streets. The Asian Market in the Intercontinental Hotel Plaza is also an inexpensive and unique place to sample other Asian cuisines like Singaporean, Japanese, and Korean.

Saigon is packed with beautiful hotels and hundreds of hostels. Our choice was a four-star hotel for $100 a night. The Liberty Central was an 18-story hotel that rivaled the Ritz Carlton in amenities for a fraction of the price. There is a bar on the front overlooking the crowded Pasteur street with an amazing staff that, after four days, knew me by name. Breakfast is free, HBO is free, and there is a rooftop pool with a breath-taking panoramic view of the city. If you are looking for a cheaper roof it is best to stay in the Ben Than district for easiest access to all things scenic from the DK Travel Collections Top 10 Saigon.

Saigon is filled with things to do, see, and eat. The friendly faces and the endless people watching makes this one of the most interesting cities I have seen. There is an adventure around every corner whether it is bargaining in the market for a new set of Nike golf shirts or trying the traditional street food. You’ll never have a dull night in Saigon; just don’t forget your lucky cricket.