TRAVEL & WINE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Published 17 Aug 2024
Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City.
It's all about the Wines. Food. Cocktails.
Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam. The world of wine and food is evolving so quickly that we just have to showcase Saigon. Photo by jet dela cruz
Wine is best with food and friends. Here's some of our favourites.
Elgin Saigon
Elgin Saigon | Elgin is a casual dining restaurant and wine bar offering sharing plates inspired by global flavors. Featuring a good selection of wines with a friendly team and causal vibe.
27 Mac Dinh Chi, Dakao Ward
Photo from Facebook.com/elgin.sgn
AnAn Saigon
AnAn Saigon | An An, meaning "Eat Eat" in Vietnamese, is a restaurant nestled in the vibrant wet market area at the heart of Saigon. Headed by Chef Peter Cuong Franklin, a former refugee who transitioned from banking to the culinary arts.
This award-winning restaurant takes you on a gastronomic exploration of Vietnam's diverse regional cuisines, expertly paired with a curated selection of wines, promising a truly memorable dining experience. Tasting menu starts fr 85 USD.
89 Tôn Thất Đạm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố
Photo from Facebook/Anansaigon
Akuna Restaurant
Akuna Restaurant | Akuna is the word for flowing water in Australian Aboriginal. Helmed by Executive Chef Sam Aisbett, pushes the modern contemporary style with a "No Boundaries" Cuisine inspired by the local produce and provenance. Head Sommelier Huyen pairs the tasting menu with a great wine & beverage program so have a good chat with her and the whole team for a fabulous dinning experience.
Le Méridien Saigon, Level 9
Photo from Facebook/akunarestaurant
Wines Bars.
Here's some of our favorite wine bars to check out while in town.
Pickles Eatery
Pickles Eatery | Founded and operated by the talented Sommelier Lucas Fay. The outfit spots a cozy, inviting vibe by Lucas and his friendly team featuring a great selection of wines married with homemade & seasonal food.
83 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh,
https://linktr.ee/pickleseaterysaigon
Photo from Facebook/pickleseaterysaigon
LỬA
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LỬA | which means "fire" in Vietnamese, is a casual wine bar in District 3 with a concept menu focused on sharing food that changes seasonally. Don't miss their amazing charcuterie, pickles, and bread!
Led by Yu Yamamoto, Best Sommelier of the Year 2023, Lua offers an incredible selection of wines from around the world, including rare gems, big producers, natural wines, and up-and-coming labels from Burgundy to Japan, all at very reasonable prices.
2 Street No. 11, Thao Dien Ward (next to W Box Cafe)
Map | Note: Lua may not be correctly listed on Google Maps, so simply enter the name in your rideshare app.
Photo from Website
Wine Pairing.
What's your favorite wine pairing with regional Vietnamese cuisine ? Photo from Facebook.com/anansaigon
Huey, Sous Chef, Ho Chi Minh City White. Chablis, Riesling, Champagne ! Red. Marselan, Chateau Neuf de Pape, Australian Shiraz
Tipples and Cocktails.
A dynamic & vibrant scene in Saigon. Here are some of our must-visits.
Du Bar
Du Bar | A cocktail bar with a unique concept: each cocktail is paired with a fragrance or perfume, engaging all your senses simultaneously. And yes, you can even purchase the perfumes from their perfume shop on level 1. If you're as obsessed with perfume as I am you're gonna love it!
36Bis Huỳnh Khương Ninh, Đa Kao, Quận 1
https://www.facebook.com/dubar.perfumecocktailbar
Photo from Facebook
The Triệu Institute
The Triệu Institute | A modern bar and restaurant of Lady Trieu Gins providing a contemporary twist on Vietnamese cuisines paired with bespoke cocktails. While the bar is located in the heart of the Saigon, the distillery itself is located 1h away in rural Saigon if you like to tour the distillery. Signature features the classic dry gin to the flowerbomb, spice road and sapa citrus tea gins.
Bar | Restaurant
10 Mạc Thị Bưởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
Distillery
146 Bùi Thị Điệt, Phạm Văn Cội, Củ Chi
Photo from Facebook/LadyTrieuGin
Ministry Concept Bar
Ministry Concept Bar aka Ministry of Men | Located inside Sofitel Hotel, a bar where creativity is king and knows no bounds. Ever changing cocktail menu, innovative drinks, currently paying homage to likes of Winston Churchill. Whisky and "Cigar"; sounds easy enough except your glass is an ashtray, cocktail base is whisky and you sip through a cigar shaped dark chocolate straw! This was not even the most creative one!
The 1940s-inspired interiors, complete with big sofas and a chess set, make you feel like you're in a Sherlock Holmes movie. This one is not to be missed, gents!
3F - 17 Lê Duẩn Bến Nghé Sofitel Saigon Plaza, Quận 1,
Photo from Facebook/minstryconceptbar
The Alley Cocktail Bar & Kitchen
The Alley Cocktail Bar & Kitchen | A local speakeasy style with raw industrial interiors where you will find bartenders and chefs afterwork. Heavy on the whisky collection, you will find craft cocktails using regional ingredients. Try the dried-banana-infused bourbon, banana syrup, lime and ginger bitters of the Mekong Delta.
63/8 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
https://www.facebook.com/thealleysaigon/
Photo from Facebook
U Bar
U Bar | Are you a serious cocktail aficionado? Look no further. Located in a small dark alley, up the stairs on level 1 ascend the stairs to enter this beautiful Vietnamese cocktail bar adorned with fermentation jars and traditional decorations, where elegantly dressed staff in Ao Dai uniforms awaits.
The drinks put creative twists on classics using local ingredients, and each drink comes with a snack paired perfectly to complement your beverage. Don't skip U Bar's pho-accented beef tataki served with a grilled rice cracker. This is the bar to experience a truly Vietnamese inspired cocktail bar.
Second Floor, 50A Đặng Dung, Quận 1
Photo from Website
Curated.
Ishan is based in Sydney.
He is a Sommelier.
Matthieu is based in Paris.
He works as Chef de Cabine PNC. He is also an onboard Sommelier.
JJ is based in Sydney.
He works as a Business First Cabin Crew and as a Sommelier and teaches hospitality.