Local Interest
South of Hong Bang Street , zigzag across Lao Tu Street and onto Nguyen Trai Street , passing on the way , Quan Am Pagoda and Thieu Hau Temple , respectively . Both of these 19th century Buddhist sanctuaries are closed at night but are well illuminated . Stop for a drink at the night vendor right outside Thien Hau Temple , with its intricately carved and splendidly detailed facade just a few metres away . Back on Hong Bang Street , the road name changes to An Duong Vuong just as it passes by the 1920s Jeanne D ’ Arc Church on the left . From here , it ’ s a straight shot , via Tran Phu Street , all the way to the Night Flower Market in District 10 . Turn left off Tran Phu before the Equatorial Hotel , and find your way to the bottom of Ho Thi Ky Street . This narrow road is a bustling street food area , but late at night it ’ s transformed into a colourful hive of activity , as flowers arrive by the truckload from the highland city of Dalat . The later you get here the better – the flowers don ’ t really start to flood the street until well after midnight . But , even if you arrive early , there are still plenty of flower stalls and street food to keep you occupied , and , of course , you can always just come back again later …
Take a late night drink in front of the intricate exterior of the 19th century Thien Hau Temple
Route : District 1 : Backpacker area , Notre Dame , Dong Khoi , Walking Street
The night flower market in District 10 starts late but brightens up the Saigon night
Head east from the Night Flower Market towards District 1 . Nguyen Trai Street offers some late night snacks in the form of noodle soups : try the hủ tiếu Nam Vang at Nhân Quán ( A68 Nguyen Trai ). Enter Saigon ’ s famous backpacker district via Do Quang Dau Street . You ’ ll know you ’ ve arrived by the number ‘ girlie ’ bars lining the streets . The area – known as Pham Ngu Lao – has long had a seedy side , but in recent years it ’ s gentrified , especially along Bui Vien Street , which is where most of the late night action takes place . The bars are smarter , food and drink is better , and the crowd – a youthful mix of Western backpackers , Northeast Asian independent travellers , and trendy Vietnamese – is the most diverse in the city . Bui Vien gets going late and stays up all night : the street is thronged with revellers into the small hours . Find a bar and soak up to atmosphere . Back on the road , ride the famous traffic circle in front of Ben Thanh Market before hitting Truong Dinh Street , which ploughs straight through Tao Dan Park . Lined with enormous tropical trees , there ’ s also a spooky sculpture garden here that ’ s worth a quick look . Turn right onto Nguyen Thi Minh Khai . One of the city ’ s major thoroughfares , this street is choked during the daytime but gloriously empty at night . As it passes behind the back of the Reunification Palace gardens , the air is damp and scented with night-blooming flowers . At night , the palace itself is in darkness ; only the gates are illuminated .
Bui Vien Street in the backpacker area ; just getting going at 1 o ’ clock in the morning
The tree-lined course of Truong Dinh Street as it passes through Tao Dan Park
The MAG Vung Tau 19