HCMC among 10 best Asian cities for street food

Ho Chi Minh City was ranked second in the list of Asia's 10 best cities for street food lovers by leading Australian travel site Traveller.

"A misconception about Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon's street vendors is that they come from a place of poverty and depend on selling food out of mobile carts for sustenance. On the contrary, street food is a way of life in Vietnam," it wrote.

According to the travel site, "while most could dish out their banh mi (baguette sandwiches), chao muc (squid porridge), and xa xiu (barbecued pork) out of old-fashioned restaurants, plastic chairs and tables on the streets are where locals prefer to eat their meals."

"In fact, some stalls even specialize in Vietnamese coffees and pouring cold Saigon beers while belting out tunes on loudspeakers. Hop onto a Vespa and whizz through the many streets in Saigon for a street food experience unlike any other," it added.

The other cities on the list in order are: Delhi (India), Osaka (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Singapore, Penang (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Manila (Philippines) and Hong Kong (China).

In mid-February, Vietnam was named among 20 of the world's best-value destinations by the Traveller.

"For food alone Vietnam is a favourite. Add the transformations and heady vibe of an emerging economy, incense-laden temples, lakeside old towns, lush highlands and mushrooming beach resorts and you have every reason to visit," it wrote.

"Vietnam remains one of the cheapest travel destinations in Asia, with direct budget flights from Australia an added saver.

"Expect to pay under two dollars for a beer or coffee, not much more for a bowl of pho, $50 for a decent hotel, and $170 for an upmarket one. Nothing to complain about, except the traffic," the travel site added.

Early this month, the country was named among the 10 best places for a budget honeymoon in 2023, where you can "expect to eat like royalty even when you're on a budget", according to the world's leading travel guide Lonely Planet.

"Make sure you sample the country's signature dishes: beef pho (noodle soup), bun cha (barbecued pork with rice noodles) and chow a banh mi (baguette) as you wander," it wrote.

In January, Vietnam was labelled the best culinary destination in Asia for 2023 by the New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure.

"If there’s one cultural cuisine that bursts with umami goodness, it’s Vietnamese cuisine. The country, apart from its beautiful landscapes, is known for its food," the travel magazine wrote.

"Everywhere you go, you’ll be met with local, regional delicacies that will bowl you over, as you soak in new, exciting experiences and visit stunning destinations," it added.