International Quarter or Backpacker area in Saigon is the affectionate name that Saigon people and tourists have for the neighborhoods of Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien, De Tham, Do Quang Dau and surrounding areas, in Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1. Rhythm of life here is always bustling, and at night it becomes more evident. Therefore, this place always gathers many restaurants, cafes, travel centers and tourist services... to serve everyone, especially international tourists, at affordable prices. Now, let's find out the top quality, affordable restaurants near Pham Ngu Lao - Bui Vien area, District 1 right away.


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1 - Restaurant 33 De Tham
Address: 33 De Tham street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Seafood, Asian, Grill, Vietnamese
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

Among the unlimited restaurants in a typical HCM neighborhood near the city center area, it's one of my favorite restaurants. A vibrant, busy, bustling restaurant, full of locals clearly enjoying themselves. It's only about 5 minutes from the famous walking street Bui Vien, and it's well worth coming here to eat and you won't be disappointed. One or my favorite side dishes are cauliflower and shrimp. . really good, suitable for those who like to order, delicious food, affordable prices. The sidewalk restaurant is very crowded. The food is prepared well, but because the restaurant is crowded, the service is sometimes slow. The prices are really good and the range of different foods is great. There are local dishes such as fried squid, chicken and noodles, garlic snails and spicy shrimp and steamed rice, washed down with soft drinks and beer. Another popular vegetable is Morning Glory (water spinach) in garlic. Tiger beer is only 18,000. All delicious and good quality and great potions of everything. The staff are amazingly attentive, Mr. Hung, ( the owner), is very hospitable and accommodating. Most importantly they have honest service and don't take advantage of tourists. If you are looking for a great restaurant, this is it.

2 - Asian Kitchen Restaurant
Address: 185/8 Pham Ngu Lao street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Asian, Vietnamese
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

If you are looking for a cheap restaurant with good food in the Backpackers area of Ho Chi Minh city, this is your choice. This place is down a side street full of locals. The staff are very friendly and there is a great relaxing atmosphere with a bustling little street that is nice to see. The menu is huge, including a dedicated section for vegetarians. They offer happy hour beer at only 50 cent for a bottle and the food was very reasonably priced, how can you resist a $40,000 mojito?. Curries are around 2 USD and there is also a Western style food option and the meals are quick and delicious! If you manage to find this amazing place, you will keep coming back again and again.

3 - Banh Mi Nhu Lan Restaurant
Address: 50-64-68 Ham Nghi street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Fast food, Asian, Vietnamese
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

Famous as one of the best Banh Mi (Bread) restaurants in central Ho Chi Minh city. After many years, although new types of bread that have improved quality and taste, Nhu Lan bread has gradually become more common. However, it is still a famous brand! Up to now, Nhu Lan bread brand has become very familiar to everyone.
Initially, Nhu Lan specialized in bread, a large, round bread with a crispy, dense, delicious crust, plus a few slices of bacon, spread with paté, along with a few stalks of herbs, green onions, spices... Extremely attractive, typical of Nhu Lan bread brand. Over time, Nhu Lan bread also developed and sold additional products such as: sausages, spring rolls, hamburgers, baked goods, self-produced moon cakes, Tet banh chung, ice cream, selling vermicelli noodles... to serve customers eating on the spot.
Not only Vietnamese people, but also a large number of Western tourists are also very "passionate" about burgers, hamburgers, kebabs... from Nhu Lan, a noodle brand with bold Saigon cuisine.

4 - Lua Dai Viet Restaurant
Address: 189 - 191 - 193 De Tham street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Asian, Local, Mexican, Cafe, Seafood
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

Lua Dai Viet Restaurant is located right at the corner of Bui Vien - De Tham intersection, this place is very interesting and has a lot of space. Lua Dai Viet is open 24/7, nice and airy view, free billiards table, 3 large floors, very crowded because of fresh seafood, the chefs cooking in front of you are pleasing to the eye, the restaurant serves many delicious dishes of Vietnamese culinary culture such as pho, banh xeo, spring rolls, broken rice, rib rice. A bowl of Pho is only 2 USD, this is really cheap. The traditional style restaurant looks very unique among the surrounding bar and pub areas! The kitchen is open so we can see how the chefs prepare the food. Friendly staff from the time you enter to the time you leave. Recommend everyone to go to the mezzanine or 1st floor, the city view is sparkling. Those who like excitement should sit outside.

5 - Home Saigon Restaurant
Address: 185/28 Pham Ngu Lao street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Fusion, Vietnamese, Asian
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

Home Saigon Restaurant is just off the main walking street so it is very quiet and peaceful. The restaurant is very nice with a cozy atmosphere. Staff are friendly and have good English knowledge. Great atmosphere, attentive staff, immaculate restrooms and great food. Bill the manager has a little notebook where he write down his diners' requests which is a good idea because it shows he wants to get things just right. The restaurant serves pure Asian dishes such as vermicelli noodles, spring rolls with turmeric so they have color and fragrant duck, sea bass with passion fruit sauce is very delicious and special. Cheap price compared to other places.

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6 - Bep Me In (Kitchen of fat Mommy)
Address: 136/9 Le Thanh Ton street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Asian, Healthy, Street Food
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 2 USD

The restaurant "Bep Me In" is nestled in an alley in the 'golden land' of the city center on Le Thanh Ton street opposite the North Gate of Ben Thanh market, a small restaurant consists of a ground floor and a first floor. The traditional, rustic and attractive dishes of Mother In's family members cook with their own hands, such as: Grilled baby back ribs with bamboo leaves, Sour snakehead fish soup, Mother In's vermicelli noodles, Braised pork with pepper, Stir-fried water spinach with garlic, Cakes Shrimp and meat stir fry, Coconut shrimp and meat tofu salad, Grilled meat cake, Garlic fried rice... price from 45.000 VND about 2 USD. The price compared to a Vietnamese restaurant is also very affordable and safe and hygienic. In particular, the staff is very enthusiastic and cheerful.

7 - Chi's Cafe
Address: 185/30 Pham Ngu Lao street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Asian, Thai, Vietnamese
Special diet: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Price from 2 USD

If you don't like eating on the main street where someone sells sunglasses every minute, go to Chi's cafe on that side of the street. The restaurant is down an alley off Pham Ngu Lao Street, this is a great quiet spot for D1 and has a very laid-back vibe. Lovely painted wall, friendly service, Chis Cafe is a cheap and cheerful spot in the party area of Saigon, the restaurant serves a mixture of delicious and cheap Western and local dishes. Diners are pleasantly surprised by this unpretentious cafe/restaurant and excellent dishes including deep fried tofu (not all oily), lemongrass ginger chicken, fried vegetables and spring rolls. Good selection of veg used which seemed fresh. A rich meal for two with drinks is only 300.000 VND (12 USD), very fair. Drinks are very cheap. ! and cocktails are just 55 cents.

8 - Thoc Grill & Craft Beer
Address: 89 De Tham street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Vietnamese, Bar, Brew Pub, Barbecue, Asian, Pub
Special diet: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Price from 4 USD

Located on the busy and touristy De Tham area, with lots going on and lots of dining options, nice outdoor seating to watch the crazy Saigon traffic go by. Most of the dishes at the restaurant are delicious and suitable for taste, there are many Western-style dishes such as dot chooi (hard to find in other restaurants). They have a great beer special reasonably priced, buy 3 and get it free, good tofu and vegetable selection. And you must try the fries with garlic and butter. The owner is very nice and the staff are attentive. This place is quite packed so come early.

9 - Quan An Gia Dinh restaurant
Address: 22 De Tham street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Special diet: Suitable for vegetarians
Cuisines: Vietnamese style
Price from 3 USD

The restaurant is very close to Sunland hotel and on the left side of Ben Thanh market, it's a local restaurant, dogs and cats run everywhere, always noisy, the seats are blue plastic. Good place rambling with locals - always a positive sign! Friendly attentive staff and extensive menu. The food is very good, prices are good, Beef with lime is excellent. The five-spice pork was chewy but delicious and the garlic fried rice was delicious. Dinner for two with beer is about 200,000 VND (aprox 7 USD). The down side is that the restaurant staff speaks very little English, and the menu is very difficult to understand because most of it is Vietnamese. If you want to eat with the locals and eat what they eat... Dive in!

10 - Quan An Ngon restaurant
Address: 160 Pasteur street, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh city
Cuisines: Vietnamese style
Special diet: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price from 3 USD

If you are a fan of traditional flavors, the Quan An Ngon restaurant also has many delicious dishes for you to choose from. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes from vegetarian to salty dishes, ensuring to meet everyone's culinary needs. Quan An Ngon restaurant has a cozy space and dedicated service, creating a very comfortable feeling. There are many international visitors. The food is delicious, well seasoned, and the price depends on each person's budget. The space is cozy, most of the staff are enthusiastic, but if you're unlucky, you'll encounter a few uncomfortable girls. In general, it depends on each person's taste, but I personally like the grilled meat and spring rolls vermicelli here. The space is spacious and beautifully decorated. Price is reasonable. There are times when you have to wait a long time to get a seat.

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