Pham Ngu Lao Street

Name: Pham Ngu Lao Street
Address: Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Description

Pham Ngu Lao Street, located on the western side of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, is recognized as the location where the majority of backpackers stay during their vacations. It is a 25-minute cab trip from Tan Sot Nhat International Airport and consists of various lanes and alleys, with Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham, Bui Vien, and Do Quang Dao streets serving as the principal thoroughfares.

Along these alleys are western-style restaurants, coffee shops, and international bars, countless tour companies and kiosks, affordable motels, hostels, and guesthouses (as well as many so-called “mini-hotel” buildings with six to seven floors and no elevators), internet cafes, pharmacies, and souvenir and handicraft stores.

Pham Ngu Lao Street is not restricted to low-cost travelers only. Its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City’s most recognizable sites attracts people from all over the world. As there is always something happening on Pham Ngu Lao Street, many tourists opt to enjoy local street food or people-watching while drinking incredibly inexpensive bia hoi draught beer on the sidewalk.

Although Pham Ngu Lao has been rapidly developing over the past decade, there are still many attractive colonial-era buildings because generations of local families have lived there. The street scene can appear somewhat chaotic, with vendors offering anything from cigarettes to massage services.

Due to its handy position near numerous city landmarks and intriguing activities, hotels in Pham Ngu Lao are also popular with budget-conscious travellers. The renowned Ben Thanh Market and Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum are a 10-minute walk from the backpacker neighborhood, while the Reunification Palace and Mariamman Hindu Temple can be reached in less than 10 minutes by cab.

Pham Ngu Lao Street Food

Pham Ngu Lao Street is irresistible to all visitors to Vietnam due to its abundance and affordability of food. The ubiquitous Pho or rice noodle soup is offered at nearly every establishment along the street. Visitors, including locals and foreigners, like the banh xeo pancakes and banh mi sandwiches with a variety of fillings available here. The thick bun bo hue soup is sufficient to satisfy hunger at lunchtime, while local Vietnamese coffee is always available from the restaurants and cafés that line the busy street.

Pham Ngu Lao Street Nightlife

Pham Ngu Lao Street is bustling with activity till the small hours of the morning. There are various pubs and Bai Hoi shops in and around the area, as well as a handful of clubs that serve scrumptious appetizers, beverages, and dancing. With drastically discounted beverages and special brews available nearly every hour! The Crazy Buffalo is a fashionable and exciting nightclub on the street that attracts both visitors and locals in large numbers. By night, Allez Boo Bar morphs into a party venue, whilst Go2 Bar is renowned for its all-night events.

Pham Ngu Lao Street Shopping

If your shopping list for Vietnam includes conical hats (the unofficial national symbol), handicrafts, paintings, silk products, t-shirts, rice paper, tea, coffee, coffee containers, coconut candies, and tropical fruits, then Pham Ngu Lao Street is the place to go.

Pham Ngu Lao’s small passageways contain boutique boutiques and art galleries in addition to a number of bustling street markets and contemporary retail malls. Prior to making a purchase, it is prudent to check costs and haggle, despite the fact that shopping here can be so enjoyable for most people due to the attractive rates.