businesstraveller.com NOVEMBER 2018
HO CHI MINH CITY
inspired by suburban America, with quaint family houses,
leafy green parks and SUVs rumbling down roads f lanked
by extra-wide sidewalks.
The fact that D7’s many families often choose the area
because they’d prefer to ignore the rest of the city, means
the district isn’t as obvious a weekend escape as D2. But
the area’s charms are certainly there, often spread out and
hidden away within its widespread borders.
Start your suburban-like retreat at the TajmaSago Castle
(tajmasago.com). The only five-star resort in the area, it’s a
grand, sweeping hotel modelled after the Maharaja palaces
of India. Equipped with a spa, library and infinity pool,
as well as a fine-dining French restaurant and a British
steakhouse, the resort is almost an escape unto itself.
Rooms are tastefully designed, featuring white as the
central colour scheme throughout, contrasted
by the latest in modern technologies to keep
you entertained. It’s a cosy escape, and the
kind of place that would cost triple the price
in most other global cities – but resist the
urge to spend your entire weekend here and
journey out into D7’s vast expanse.
The area’s moreafordable rents
(compared to the centre), coupled with
eager young entrepreneurs, have resulted in
some of the most distinctive eateries in the
city – case in point, Jane’s Bistro (janesbistro.
com), a fine-dining, farm-to-table restaurant
set up by an expat husband-and-wife team.
Serving up healthy American and Italian dishes,
the homestyle ambience mirrors the quality of the
ever-changing menu, artfully plated and paired with
classic cocktails.31La Villa (lavilla-restaurant.com.vn) is a long-time
favourite, showcasing classic French cuisine prepared
to a very high standard. Decorated like an elaborate
countryside chateau, complete with old-world
furnishings and its own pool, chef Thierry Mounon
serves a range of set menus that pay tribute to the pared-
down world of classic French gastronomy: foie gras,
roast pigeon, duck leg confit, as well as one of the most
excessive cheese trolleys you’ll ever see.
Finally, there’s time for a quick nightcap before bed.
D2’s nightlife might not rival the city centre, but this
predominantly expat enclave is starting to hold its
own. Saigon Outcast (saigonoutcast.com) is a popular
choice among Thao Dien’s younger crowds, an alt-event
venue that regularly features food and drink festivals,
live music showcases as well as weekend parties, with an
impressive layout across its container-like design.
A newer, more refined choice is 86 Proof (facebook.
com/get86proof), a recently opened whisky bar inspired
by Japan’s tucked-away speakeasies. You’ll find a
fantastic single-malt selection here, as well as some of the
most balanced cocktails in all of Ho Chi Minh City.
SEVENTH HEAVEN
The long road out to District 7 showcases Ho Chi
MinhCity’s vast spread arguably better than anywhere
else. Set a good 30 minutes from the centre, the endless
trucks, cars and bikes are nearly all making their way
towards the port and the ocean, for deliveries set far
beyond Vietnam’s borders.
But if only they stopped and parked for a moment,
they’d discover an area far removed from the rest of the
city. Known colloquially as “Saigon South”, it’s a place
The architecture
oftheareamakes
the diference, with
tree-lined streets and
wide-open spaces