[Hikari's Izakaya Diary] Southeast Asia Trip P1 - Quick Ho Chi Minh Travel Tips 2023/4/19

I've been back in Taiwan for a little over two weeks now, and honestly, easing back into work was rough at first — but I'm finally finding my rhythm again the last few days. Big thanks to everyone at the studio and to all of you watching, because over the next few weeks I'll be slowly sharing bits and pieces from my Southeast Asia trip. Also, heads up: I've decided to keep April's streams nice and steady, no huge swings needed. Partly to get my stream-legs back under me, partly to just sit with my own head about the whole "chasing numbers" thing lately — I'll admit I've felt a little stuck there lol. But no worries, life has its ups and downs, I'll just take it slow.

(The little plaza in front of Ben Thanh Market)

This was actually my second time in Ho Chi Minh City. Coming from Taiwan's winter straight into blazing sun was a shock, but the one saving grace is that the evenings there get a nice breeze, so wandering the streets at night is genuinely pleasant.

Daytime, though — sunscreen is non-negotiable. If you're heading there, do not skip it, or you'll be dealing with heatstroke. Ho Chi Minh City is basically Vietnam's most developed city, and it has all the big-city entertainment you'd expect — the nightlife especially is fantastic. If you love shopping and food, you'll be right at home. (A few spot recommendations: Saigon Center (Takashimaya), Ben Thanh Market, and Saigon Square — remember to haggle at the last two!)

(Bui Vien Street — the backpacker bar street, packed with tourists)

A few things to keep in mind while traveling in Ho Chi Minh City: First, watch out for pickpockets at all times — keep your phone in your bag when you're not using it, and don't let it dangle too far from your body. Locals will tell you this constantly. Second, if someone on the street offers you a massage, always confirm the price up front — massages usually come with or without an included tip, and if you don't clarify, you can easily get overcharged. Third, if someone offers to take your photo or shine your shoes unprompted, walk away fast — they will absolutely charge you for it and won't take no for an answer. Lastly, vendors who walk right up to you selling stuff (sunglasses, fans, that kind of thing) will usually quote you a wildly inflated price — their actual cost is next to nothing, so don't feel bad saying no. That said, I'd say Ho Chi Minh City is reasonably safe overall, but better safe than sorry — go out in pairs at night if you can.

(MIU MIU Massage)

If you're worried about getting hit with surprise tip charges, your best bet is just picking a well-reviewed massage place from the start. Massages in Vietnam are crazy affordable, though prices do range from budget to premium. I'd recommend MIU MIU Massage — it's had a great reputation in Ho Chi Minh City for years. A two-hour aromatherapy massage runs about 900–1000 TWD. The therapists' technique and the overall service are excellent, and it's right in the city center, perfect for unwinding after a day of shopping. One "must": book ahead. MIU MIU takes online reservations, and since it's such a popular spot, I'd really recommend booking so you don't get turned away at the door.

(A warm-up dessert after the massage)

Food is obviously the main event in Ho Chi Minh City. I've already shared a ton of Vietnamese food recommendations on stream, so I'll keep this short — every pho shop here tastes a little different, but across the board, it's richer and more flavorful than what you'll find in Taiwan. Honestly, just Google-search for well-reviewed, affordable pho spots and you really can't go wrong. Pro tip: taste the broth and noodles plain first before adding the lime, Thai basil, and other herbs on the side — the flavor transforms completely. Definitely give it a try.

Also worth noting — most street food stalls and restaurants in Vietnam will give you a wet wipe, and using it means an extra charge gets added to your bill. So if you're traveling there, best to just bring your own pack of wet wipes!

(A famous late-night pho spot near Bui Vien Street)

There's honestly too much good food in Vietnam to list — you could plan a whole trip around eating alone and it'd be worth it. Since this was my second time in Ho Chi Minh City, I skipped most of the typical tourist itinerary this round (no interest in repeating it lol). You can book most of those tours through Klook — things like the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels tours, which together can easily fill up two half-days. There are also plenty of spots in the city itself for photos, plus museums to check out. Hope you all get the chance to explore this city yourselves someday.

(Vietnamese-style beefsteak)

That wraps up this leg of the trip. If you liked it, I'll keep sprinkling in more travel content over the next few weeks. Thanks for reading!