Ho Chi Minh City, 8/2/11 - 8/3/11
I meet Yom and Ashley for a big bowl of Pho at Pho Hao, recommended by
1,000 Things To Do Before You Die. The book is almost entirely devoted to key places to visit and adventures to conquer around the world, but surprisingly recommends checking out a tiny hole-in-the-wall noodle soup shop in the Southern Vietnamese city.
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| Mixed meat pho at Pho Hoa |
The signature soup combines brisket, flank steak, pork balls, tripe, thick rice noodles, and a rich broth. Ashley and I share a large bowl, adding in lettuces, fresh herbs, chilis, garlic, fresh lime and dipping in large fried dough breadsticks. The three-story restaurant is quite busy although it's late in the afternoon. What it lacks in atmosphere (bright fluorescent lights, plastic tables and chairs) it makes up with its food. The broth has a deep flavor of pork and slightly spicy and bright due to the lime and chilis. We eat it alongside steamed buns stuffed with roasted pork and hardboiled egg. The pho is so delicious that after Ashley and I polish off our large bowl I grab ahold of whatever isn't finished at the table.
The next day, I'm exploring Ho Chi Mihn City, including the Opera House, Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thahn Market. Lunch is more noodle soup at Pho 2000, where President Clinton dined more than a decade ago. The restaurant is covered in photos of Clinton with the staff, eating noodle soup, and waving to fans. Big magenta signs outside the restaurant exclaim they serve "Pho for the President."
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| Live crabs at Ben Trahn Market |
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| Renumification Palace |
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| Helicopter on top of the palace |
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| Notre Dame Cathedral |
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| Singing outside the National Opera House |
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