Ho Chi Minh Archives - Pale Ale Travel

Is There Uber in Vietnam? This Other Ride-Hailing App Puts Uber to Shame

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024Asia, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Vietnam isn’t what I would consider to be a destination for first-time travelers. It can be chaotic, loud, raw, unpredictable, and in your face. But that’s also why it’s addictive and one of my absolute favorite places. Once you prepare yourself to mentally and physically feel vulnerable, step outside of your comfort zone, and keep an open mind, there’s undoubtedly an enchanting character, environment, and depth that can be found in every pocket of the country, making it surprisingly more sustainable and comfortable than you might have first imagined.

Having spent over one year living in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Vietnam, with regular month-long stints mixed into my yearly travels in subsequent years, I was one of the biggest ride-hailing app proponents in the country. It’s part and parcel of everyday life in Vietnam, for both locals and foreigners and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t used the country’s most popular ride-hailing and delivery service at least once.

However, if you think I’m talking about Uber, you’d be completely wrong. Uber is not available in Vietnam. Instead, almost 50% of the Vietnamese population uses the Southeast Asia-based ride-hailing service ‘Grab’ to get from Point A to Point B. I assure you, it puts Uber to shame with how comprehensive, affordable, and convenient it is.

Since Uber’s exit from the Southeast Asian market in 2018, Grab has overwhelmingly snagged the top spot as the region’s top ride-hailing app and service. It is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for everything you could want – from convenient and affordable transport to food delivery services, insurance and financial services, and even the ability to send packages and documents. I refer to it as a ‘super app’. In fact, most of Southeast Asia uses this app, so if you’re planning on making a trip, this is a must-download on your phone.

Here is everything you need to know about using ride-hailing services in Vietnam, alternative transportation methods available, and key scams and safety considerations to keep in mind when navigating this incredible country.

Pale Ale Travel Note: Don’t forget to check out my entire archive of Vietnam content here.

Is There Tipping in Vietnam? Answers From a Former Expat in Ho Chi Minh City

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Having moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in mid-2018, with little to no knowledge of Vietnam or Vietnamese customs, I was curious to see if the foreign influence had permeated the country’s service industry – specifically in the context of tipping. After all, Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) is Vietnam’s most populous and cosmopolitan city where Western influence has solidified deep roots in the gastronomic landscape.

As an American, who has at one point in his life been shamed for refusing to tip a Starbucks barista in the U.S. after ordering ahead via the app and picking up the drink myself, I fully acknowledge that the cult of tipping culture in some Western countries (the U.S. is the main culprit, of course), has become utterly preposterous and nonsensical. This is not a stance against tipping rather I feel the line between doing one’s job vs. being compensated extra is becoming thinner and thinner.

So, it was a huge sigh of relief when I landed in Vietnam and quickly caught on that Vietnamese tipping culture is very different from that in the United States. The general rule is that it is not customary to tip in Vietnam. While the country has undergone a substantial economic and social transformation, with tourism also crawling back to pre-pandemic levels, tipping is still not expected in Vietnam.

However, there are specific situations where tipping may actually be expected (or appreciated) in Vietnam. Below, I’ll walk you through these instances along with other times I recommend tipping in Vietnam.

8 Date Ideas in Saigon to Ignite the Vietnam Romance Vibes

January 7, 2024January 8, 2024Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

I don’t think I’ve ever dated as proactively as I did when I moved to Saigon, as I was newly single and hot off a breakup that had me feeling like that one dude with mascara when they wouldn’t stop picking on Britney Spears. Leave Britney alone. That’s not because I’m some total casanova who the ladies swoon for and the men want to be. Au contraire. It was just time to put myself out there in an attempt to mend my (then) broken heart.

It worked. Kind of. I’m not crying. I just have something in my eye and there’s a lot of dust in the air.

Here are 8 certified date ideas in Saigon to spice up your next date night in Vietnam and ensure that you make the most of this vibrant, hectic, and enchanting city.

What’s the Legal Drinking Age in Vietnam? (2024)

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody 2 Comments

If you’re traveling to Vietnam, you may be asking yourself, “What’s the legal drinking age in Vietnam?” Maybe you heard how Vietnam is the top country in Asia for beer consumption (fact) and want a taste for yourself. Maybe you heard about the country’s burgeoning craft beer scene to provide depth to an already formidable domestic beer landscape. Or, maybe you just want to purchase a few local brews from your nearest convenience store and drink them on the street without any hassle.

The very first step towards accomplishing all of that (and then some) is understanding Vietnam’s drinking laws.

Having lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for over one year (with regular month-long stints since), I can emphatically state that this is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to a thriving and communal beer culture, both classy and hectic nightlife, and boozy brunches and other alcohol-related activities (ex. Ax throwing with craft beers).

Let’s take a look at what you need to know about drinking alcohol in Vietnam.

27 Pros and Cons of Living in Ho Chi Minh City as a Foreigner

November 12, 2023December 3, 2023Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

I moved to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on somewhat of a whim, as I was coming hot off the end of a tempestuous relationship and in the throes of great uncertainty as to what my future held (I still am to some degree). I moved with no real foresight or preparation, inspired solely by an offhand comment made by a buddy I knew from Taiwan who had recently set up shop in the city. What piqued my interest was that he couldn’t stop raving about it. With nothing more than my suitcase and absolutely zero expectations (in fact, I was expecting the worst), I hopped a several-hour Eva Airways flight over from Taipei and touched down in the “Pearl of the Far East.”

Little did I know that moving to Ho Chi Minh City would lead to one of the most formative years of my life (from 28 to 29). Since then, I’ve been unable to get enough of the city and frequently go back for extended periods to connect with old friends, slug a few Saigon Bias, chow down on some goat curry BBQ with donkey milk, and recreate that palpable energy and feelings I experienced after first landing.

At this point, it’s a city that is part of my life for good and one that I will always be back to – I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me (and you) in the future.

If you’re considering moving to this vibrant, dynamic, and hectic city, and want to know what I loved and couldn’t care for in the city, here are 27 pros and cons of living in Ho Chi Minh City as a foreigner. For the purposes of this article, I will use Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon interchangeably!

Cơm Gà Xối Mỡ Su Su: Vietnamese Fried Chicken You Didn’t Know You Needed

August 6, 2023August 13, 2023Asia, Food, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

If you checked out my other article breaking down my foray into the world of mookrata in Bangkok, then you know just how much Thai fried chicken caught me by surprise. Well, that was until I experienced the glorious world of Vietnamese waterfall fried chicken. This is the real deal (and the true definition of a hole-in-the-wall spot).

And there aren’t many better spots in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for fried chicken than at Cơm Gà Xối Mỡ Su Su in District 1. Add on some of their addictive garlic soy sauce, infused with chicken drippings (I seriously don’t know if I’ve ever had a better sauce in my life), chase each bite with a spoonful of orange fried rice, rinse and repeat, and you’re in for an absolute fowlin’ good time.

Quick & Easy Process to Get a 30-Day Vietnam E-Visa Explained

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

As you may know by now, I’m heading to Vietnam in several days (mid-January, 2022). It has been nearly 3 years since I left Ho Chi Minh to embark on a journey to Europe for a six-month stint and move back to Hong Kong (my current base). I can’t wait to be back.

A part of me was stressed about obtaining a visa for Vietnam as I barely remembered doing so when I first moved there in July 2018. However, then I remembered that it was an absolute breeze and that’s why it wasn’t even registering in my memory.

If you are looking to apply for a 30-day Vietnam E-visa, I’ve got you covered. Below, I will walk through exactly what you can expect when applying, how long a 30-day Vietnam E-visa takes to be processed (and how long mine actually took), and additional considerations to keep in mind when traveling to Vietnam.

The Complete Guide to Craft Beer in Saigon

July 27, 2020December 3, 2023Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody 5 Comments

Strap in. In this guide we are talking about all things craft beer in Saigon. Craft beer culture in Saigon is booming. No one will ever go thirsty here. I guarantee it. From a Belgian brewery serving up wheat beers in a 1.5 liter drum, to a slick gastropub with more than 100 craft beers to choose from, all the way to a popular craft beer haunt on the infamous Bui Vien Street, consider this your ultimate guide to craft beer in Saigon!

I consumed far more beer than I’m proud to admit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (although I guess I just admitted it), so that you know where to go next time you are fiending for an IPA, sour, lager, or all of the above.

Delay no more! Below is a list of my favorite bars and breweries for craft beer in Saigon.

9 of the Best Rooftop Bars in Saigon

July 6, 2020December 3, 2023Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Saigon, Vietnam is a rooftop bar lover’s dream. Nothing quite beats throwing back a few cocktails while overlooking a city that never sleeps. As you may know from checking out my blog, I’m a big fan of “the booze.” So, during my year-plus living in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), I made it my goal to find the best rooftop bars in Saigon and see exactly what its nightlife truly has to offer.

I’ve compiled a list of 9 of my favorite rooftop bars in Saigon, Vietnam, so that you aren’t left wondering where to go the next time you want to hit the town and have a few drinks with a view.

Guide to the Best Burger in Saigon

June 29, 2020December 1, 2022Asia, Food, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Meat, meat, meat. If you’ve read any of my other blog posts, you’ll know that Big Body is a BIG fan of meat. Whether it American BBQ, Japanese izakayas, or Vietnamese goat curry, I’m a big fan of a good hunk of beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and most anything else.

One of my go-to meals anywhere in the world is a burger, so I spent a healthy portion of my time in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) searching for the best burger(s). And, I think I found them.

Below is a compiled list of my definitive best burgers in all of Saigon.

Visa Run: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh Bus Ride

December 22, 2019October 10, 2020Asia, Cambodia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

For how much I travel, I still somehow really hate flying. To skirt having to fly in a metal tube, 35,000 feet in the air for a mere 45 minutes, I somehow convinced myself that doing my Vietnam visa run to Phnom Penh, Cambodia via the Moc Bai Border should be done by bus. This wasn’t my best idea. If you’re currently in Vietnam and considering your visa run options, I recommend running a pros and cons comparison when choosing between the bus and flight.

For those who are looking to visa run within the day, meaning you are just going to the Moc Bai Border and then straight back to Ho Chi Minh, then the bus is probably your best option. I like to make a trip of things, so a short 45 minute flight will be my preferred method next time.

If you’re curious about why I’ll choose to fly the next time I need to visa run from Vietnam, continue on.

Big Night Out at El Gaucho Steakhouse Saigon

December 14, 2019December 1, 2022Asia, Food, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Normally I’m quite skeptical of any type of chain that doesn’t include a golden arch (McDonald’s) or red-headed girl with pig-tails (Wendy’s), so you can imagine I was a bit hesitant when my friend suggested we go grab at steak at El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse. Having lived across Asia for 8+ years, the name rang a bell, as you can find it in Bangkok, Hanoi, and several other major Asian cities. Well, I went. And then, I went again, one more time after that, and then countless more times.

Located on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh, El Gaucho Steakhouse is the spot to go for any special occasion. I never need a special occasion to eat a 350GR steak and drink 8 glasses of sangria, but it feels less excessive and gluttonous when I do go on a special night.

El Gaucho Saigon is worth every penny, and one of my favorite steakhouses in all of Asia.

Let’s take a look at a few reasons why this has become a favorite spot of mine to treat myself to and enjoy a great steak (along with great atmosphere).