TOP TRENDING HOTSPOTS

District 1 is forever evolving, a mishmash of old and new, classic and contemporary. Alongside decades-old restaurants and bars are a constantly updated breed. Here are some of the coolest new places in recent times:

Vietnam House (vietnamhousesaigon.com)

Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyen has returned to his roots, setting up shop in one of D1’s most central spaces. Vietnam House is about traditions, and how the rules can sometimes be bent, with the colonial high-end setting contrasting perfectly with the contemporary cuisine.

Anan (anansaigon.com)

Another Viet chef who’s returned home is Peter Cuong Franklin, who made his name in Hong Kong. His new restaurant Anan showcases traditional Vietnamese dishes given Franklin’s signature modern spin, in a stunning multistorey location overlooking an outdoor market.

Quince (quincesaigon.com)

The Saigon sister location of the famed Bangkok restaurant, Quince is one of the most exciting new ventures in the city, sourcing fine ingredients from around the world for a simple but stunning menu of modern classics. It’s fresh, funky and absolutely fascinating.

Corked Tales (corkedtales.vn)

Cocktails are catching on in Ho Chi Minh City, and this bar hidden in an unassuming building serves up some of the most imaginative, utilising techniques such as barrel-aged carbon dioxide and peat smoke.

Biker Shield (bikershield.com)

Both café and motorbike cultures are massive in D1, and Biker Shield blends the two. The motorcycle-themed dining and drinking establishment is all hipster cool, with old bike parts on the walls, craft beers on tap, and classic and contemporary tunes on the stereo.