Australian tourists rave about cultural experiences in Vietnam

Recording her visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Australian tourist Mariah Lattas recounts her interesting experiences and impressions of the time she immersed herself in the unique cultural and culinary space of the S-shaped country.

Du khách Australia ‘tấm tắc’ về trải nghiệm văn hóa tại Việt Nam

The Cafe Apartment on Ho Chi Minh City Walking Street has many different cafes, diverse in style and food services, becoming a place that attracts many domestic and foreign tourists. (Source: Trip.com)

Cafe Apartment on Ho Chi Minh City Walking Street

Built in the mid-1960s, the 9-storey apartment building at 42 Nguyen Hue, Ho Chi Minh City has undergone many changes. Each apartment here has a cafe and has gradually become a culinary paradise. A Tiktoker once commented: "You can find restaurants, cafes, beauty shops and clothing stores on each floor."

Arriving at the apartment complex, I was surprised by its difference, making me eager to go inside to visit. You can use the elevator for 3,000 VND or climb the stairs.

When I reached the fourth floor, I realized that I was not really strong enough to climb the stairs, but I was willing to overcome the difficulty to enjoy the food. And I was certainly not the only tourist visiting the apartment building with the same desire.

On each floor, I saw other people touring the apartments. The walls of the cafes were decorated with artwork, plants, and advertising signs. The shops were small and the walls were covered with notes from customers who had visited from all over the world.

I scanned the cafe menu and couldn’t pass up the banh mi sandwich. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the meat was juicy and served with a flavorful sauce, and the delicious sandwich cost only $6. It was my first banh mi of the trip and I was very happy with the experience.

Highlights of Vietnam

Chung Cu Cafe or Can Ho Cafe is just one of the great food destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. If you love banh mi, one of the most iconic places to visit is Banh Mi Huynh Hoa. Even though there is only one type of banh mi on the menu, customers often have to line up to order.

Vietnam is also famous for its street food and markets. A popular tourist spot is the Ben Nghe street food market which has many food stalls. I tried the noodle salad with pork and spring rolls which was delicious.

While here, be sure to try the signature Vietnamese coffees, I personally fell in love with the coconut coffee, a delicious blend of coconut cream and Vietnamese coffee.

If you want to enjoy a breathtaking view of Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy a drink at Blank Sky Lounge, located on the 75th floor of Landmark 81, with a menu of cocktails and desserts to choose from.

Some other places not to be missed include Saigon Central Post Office, where you can send postcards to your loved ones and receive souvenirs. In addition, Book Street is an ideal place for book lovers with many types of novels in both Vietnamese and English lining both sides of the street, you should pick up a book and sit at a nearby cafe to have a perfect afternoon.

A Huynh Hoa sandwich weighs about 400 grams, filled with all kinds of food. According to the shop owner, all the fillings are homemade according to his own recipe, so it has a unique flavor that has attracted customers for many years. (Source: thebakenista)

Australians flock to Vietnam

According to travel company Intrepid, the number of Australian passengers traveling to Vietnam annually increased by 166% in the period 2022-2023. The majority of customers choosing to travel to Vietnam are Australians (43%), followed by British (24%), American and New Zealand (both 11%).

Speaking to News.com.au , Jetstar CEO Jenn Armor said Vietnam is known as a tourist-friendly destination thanks to its affordable prices, so the country will become more popular than ever with tourists by 2024. Jetstar is currently the only Australian airline with direct flights to Vietnam.

Ms. Armor said that with a low one-way ticket price of only 219 USD, Jetstar is creating many conditions for Australians to travel abroad and experience Vietnamese cuisine and culture.

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