OI VIETNAM 43
When I arrive for the set lunch, Saint-
Honoré tells me that the WisePass lunch
is only available on weekdays, although
the app says it’s every day. Fortunately,
the manager kindly makes an exception
and I’m soon enjoying prosciutto-
wrapped mango and baked pesto chicken
in the tranquil garden setting. Afterwards,
I load up on gorgeous breads and bagels
and a slice of Normandy tart. The allure
for WisePass partners presumably is the
ability to upsell customers on the spot,
or more valuably, gain exposure to an
economically-desirable segment of the
market who can potentially be converted
into long-term customers. With so many
partners, WisePass certainly invites users
to try venues they might not normally,
thereby connecting customers and
businesses. Value: VND185,000
Day 20: Drinks at Loft
The WisePass app gets a much-needed
upgrade, now streamlining important
information like exactly what a pass
entitles you to, when it’s available, and
adding a map and telephone function.
It comes in handy for venues like Loft,
which offer multiple deals at the same
time. I meet a friend for after-work
drinks, swiping the deal for four free
cocktails, and we order extra nibbles.
When the bill comes, the server takes
VND300,000 off the bill (one of their
other offers), but we quickly get it sorted.
Value: VND470,000
Day 22: Lunch at Octo Tapas
After hearing people gush for months
about the best tapas in Saigon, I finally
make it to Octo Tapas and I’m not
disappointed. The set lunch starts off
with velvety smoked eggplant that’s
lightly breaded and fried then topped
with a dollop of fennel jam for a touch of
sweetness. While the regular mains look
lovely, paying VND120,000 to upgrade
to Wagyu steak is a no brainer, the light
char pairing well with the caramelized
onion. Value: VND200,000
Day 24: Steak at Rehab Station
Planning on lunching in District 3, the
venue I go to say they’re no longer a
WisePass partner, despite still being
on the app. WisePass partners are
constantly being added and deleted,
with the app often not able to keep
pace despite regular notifications to
update. Thankfully, Rehab Station is
just around the corner and I settle for a
nice steak lunch with salad, Dong Son
golden ale, and an ice cream finish.
Value: VND250,000Day 30: Whiskey at Hard Rock Café
It’s Pink / U2 tribute night at Hard
Rock Café performed by the excellent
Indonesian house band. We rock out
in the family-friendly atmosphere with
burgers and ribs to go along with our
WisePass bottle of Ballantine’s Whiskey,
a great way to share a final pass. Value:
VND1,500,000Cost of Standard WisePass membership:
VND6,000,000
Total value received: VND15,314,000The Verdict:
Is WisePass worth the membership?
Probably not if you’re a homebody
who enjoys cooking at home and only
occasionally going out. But if you’re
spending at least USD200 eating out and
going for drinks, it’s a small price to pay
to have daily access to all the WisePass
venues. Especially if you live or work in
District 1 or 3 where most of the venues
are located, you’ll likely be able to use
WisePass every day without going out
of your way. Having WisePass in your
pocket with its curated list of venues is
also like having a hip local friend who can
recommend some of the city’s best dining
and entertainment options. WisePass also
makes a great gift for that person who has
everything—the gift of living like the 1%
Saint Honore at just a fraction of the cost. LoftOcto Tapas