Summer has arrived in Vietnam, bringing sweltering heat throughout the country. In our latest travels throughout Vietnam, we stick to some of our local favorites while exploring new venues in Saigon. We also took a team trip up to the art deco favorite Azerai La Residence Hotel in Hue for a recent video shoot. Check out our latest edition of The Directory this summer to see where our team has been out and about.

Do something new this month? Did we forget you? Drop us a note.

Where to eat and drink?

L’Herbanyste, Saigon

Recently opening its doors to the public earlier this month, L’Herbanyste showcases an all-vegetarian menu in a homey and leafy District 2 villa setting. Co-founders Corina Luong, Georgiana Zana, and Tia de Calvairac sought to create a retreat from the city, a place to relax and revive your soul, mind, and social life. Our favorite spot in the venue is outdoors in the shade by the pool. Come early to avoid the queues as L’Herbanyste is quickly coming a neighborhood favorite.

Vietnam Guide, The Directory June 2019: Eat and Drink, and See-0

A cozy corner at L’Herbanyste.

Location: 215E4 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

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Sweet + Sour Bakery, Saigon

Recently featured on Vietcetera, Sweet + Sour Bakery makes it to our Directory list this month for its flavorful best seller, the Red Velvet cupcake. Hard to find anywhere else, let alone replicate, the desserts on offer at Sweet + Sour rank amongst the top for our dessert recommendations in the city. For those that don’t live close to District 2, where its flagship shop is located, delivery is also available.

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From selling just three cupcakes, to 30, then hundreds a day, Sweet + Sour jump started the growing demand for Western sweets in Vietnam.

Location: 9 Ngo Quang Huy, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

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Bam Bam Bar, Saigon

Bam Bam is the newest addition to Saigon’s burgeoning bar scene. And we can see why this spot can quickly become a favorite. Bam Bam has gone to lengths to introduce an interior design, food and drinks menu, and vibe that is unlike any other in Vietnam at the moment. The after work and early evening crowd is relaxed, while the crowd becomes a bit more of a see and be seen vibe later in the evening. Take your pick on time to come, it’ll become a favorite for some time to come.

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Good music, good vibes, and beautiful people.

Location: 41 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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Cheese Coffee Nguyen Du, Saigon

Cheese Coffee is a Generation Z and millennial favorite for Vietnamese. We include Cheese Coffee on the list this month for its new store opening on Nguyen Du, its first in District 1. This is a big move to notice, given that Cheese Coffee was mostly on the city fringes before, now making its way downtown.

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A bright corner at Cheese Coffee Nguyen Du, its first store in District 1.

Location: 53G Nguyen Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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Where to shop?

Ernest & Martha (Online)

For premium gift seekers, Ernest & Martha is our latest recommendation. Curated by two Vietnamese-Canadian sisters with a track record for craft, Ernest & Martha takes the equation out of figuring out how to gift for your loved ones, friends, or even your clients. For those of you looking for something simple and easy, check out their pre-made gift boxes or choose amongst their a la carte products. Otherwise, an email or phone call to their team can help set up the perfect personalized gift.

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Custom gift sets curated by Ernest & Martha.

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Project 1990, Saigon

Project 1990 is a premium streetwear designed and produced in-house, in Vietnam. It’s well made and high quality, sporting an edgy new look that is quickly growing on millennial Vietnamese tastes. The founder is the other half of fashion icon, Julia Doan of Floralpunk.

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Project 1990 is a premium streetwear designed and produced in-house, in Vietnam.

Location: 1st-Floor 78 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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Where to stay?

Azerai La Residence Hue, Hue

On a recent trip to the central region, our team stopped by for a few nights at the Azerai La Residence Hue. The building is Vietnam’s finest eye candy Art Deco showpiece, sporting a history that goes back to 1930 when its construction was finished during the French colonial era. Notable features include a riverside facade and a pool with a view of the Hue Citadel, a UNESCO Heritage site.

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The hotel’s fine-dining venue, Le Parfum, serves Mediterranean and French cuisine, as well as dishes from an expansive Vietnamese menu.

Location: 5 Le Loi, Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue City, Hue Province

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[Article] Vietnam Guide, The Directory March 2019: Eat and Drink, and See

Vietnam Guide, The Directory June 2019: Eat and Drink, and See