Wake up like a local

Wake up early in the morning to start the day like a real Saigonese local! Your guide will show you things that make Saigon so different compared to other parts of Vietnam, from the morning crowded street coffee shops to the lively local outdoor markets where people shop for their daily needs. Your first stop is a market stall for a hearty bowl of “hủ tiếu” – which is very popular with locals and is eaten at any point during the day. Sit down together with the local people inside a small alley to enjoy this simple, yet delicious breakfast. After breakfast, zig zag through the alleys and stop at a market for a cup of tea or coffee in one of Saigon’s oldest cafés. Meet the owner to learn how the local coffee is made, using the traditional method, a kind of “stocking coffee” which was originally the method of Chinese coffee vendors. This involves a long, stocking-like fabric filter, a charcoal stove and traditional clay pots. Continue to wind your way through nearby street markets to see how people bargain for fresh vegetables, seafood and other local food. Carry on to the “flower alleys” – the biggest flower market in Saigon. Take the opportunity to see the colourful blossoms and interact with the sellers. Stop at some vendors to try some favourite Saigonese snacks and desserts such as sponge cakes and chè (sweet soup) before heading back to your hotel.