The British newspaper Time Out has just published a list of the 39 most wonderful neighborhoods in the world. Of which, Nguyen Thai Binh neighborhood is the only representative of Vietnam voted by experts and editors of Time Out newspaper.
This list has been voted by Time Out for the past 8 years. A neighborhood is evaluated based on factors such as nightlife, art, culture, affordable and easy-to-find food and drinks.
In those neighborhoods, there must be diversity in business forms and artistic aesthetics. The wonderful neighborhoods are a place that represents the soul of that city, both maintaining its characteristics and attracting visitors to have fun and work.
Accordingly, the top 10 best neighborhoods this year are: Jimbocho (Tokyo, Japan); Borgerhout (Antwerp, Belgium); Barra Funda (Sao Paolo, Brazil); Camberwell ( London, UK); Avondale (Chicago, USA); Mullae-dong (Seoul, Korea); Menilmontant (Paris, France); Nakatsu (Osaka, Japan); Vallila (Helsinki, Finland); Labone (Vietnam, Indonesia).
Nguyen Thai Binh Quarter looks like other central streets with old warehouses, bustling vehicles, and food stalls that smoke from early morning.
However, when exploring deeper at night, under the basements, behind the facades of ancient French buildings, visitors will discover many restaurants, beverages, secret bars (hidden bars), indie-style painting rooms, antique markets and many cafes that bring new experiences.
Joe Gann, Asia reporter for Time Out, commented: "The appeal of Nguyen Thai Binh neighborhood is growing with the most obvious changes through the quality of new shops appearing. From pizza Leonardo, OMM Mixology bar, to expensive Noriboi Omakase Japanese restaurant".
Suggestions for the perfect schedule for a day in Ho Chi Minh City
Morning: Start with a bowl of Phan Rang snail crab vermicelli soup on Nguyen Thai Binh Street. Then there is enjoying the nostalgic coffee space at Hoang Thi restaurant.
Lunch: Walk around Le Cong Kieu ancient items street, enter Dan Sinh market and immerse yourself in the vibrant life here. Eat lunch at Mother's kitchen and enjoy Vietnamese-style meals.
Afternoon: Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.
Night: Go to Madam Kew and sip Pink Riot cocktail and have dinner at Quince Eery. Then, go to restaurant 419Bar hidden behind the old camera cabinet. Ended the day by going to The Arth to listen to the saxophone.
Nguyen Thai Binh is the former administrative name of a ward in the old District 1, Ho Chi Minh City before July 1, 2025. After the merger, part of the old Nguyen Thai Binh ward will be merged into Saigon ward, the rest will belong to the new Ben Thanh ward.
