The Lowdown on Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
June 16th, 2004 | The lowdown by Christie Dang
De Tham Street
De Tham Street is “where all the non-Vietnamese who live in Vietnam go,” my friend said. In other words, it’s Ho Chi Minh City’s most westernized area and not coincidentally, a hotspot for foreigners in need of familiar food. Located in an area known as “Backpacker’s Area” because of its high concentration of foreign travelers, De Tham Street (where it hits Pham Ngu Lao Street) is lined with restaurants that serve cheeseburgers, lasagna, pizza, tacos and even chocolate shakes. Of course, this is Vietnam’s interpretation of westernized food so don’t be surprised if the cheese on your burger is cheese spread or if your shake is missing ice cream. The food is still delicious and a nice taste of the familiarity of home.
Food prices are relatively high compared to local Vietnamese restaurants but even if it is triple or quadruple the price, a full meal should never cost more than five US dollars. Vendors often come into these restaurants selling books, maps, postcards and newspapers.
Sasa Café is among the greatest on the street. The menu includes a wide selection of American, Italian and Vietnamese food. The baked Four-Cheese Penne Pasta comes in a pot piping hot straight from the oven. There is an internet café upstairs so you can check your email while you wait for the food. The waiters at Sasa Café are friendly but the male ones have a tendency to be forward with American girls. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked on a date before your meal is over.
Small souvenir shops line the other side of the street and sell silk paintings of traditional Vietnam scenes, postcards, newspapers and burned DVDs of the latest movies (many times still out in American theaters) for 20,000 dong. Make sure to ask to preview the DVDs before your leave the shop to make sure they work and the picture quality is good.
Hotel rooms on this street can be rented by the day, week or month for as little as fourteen dollars a day. The longer you stay, the better your chances are of lowering the price.
