The AlumNUS
The AlumNUS

18 February 2025

Ho Chi Minh City: A Modern-Day Metamorphosis

Ms Jeannie Chan (Arts & Social Sciences ’01) speaks to The AlumNUS on the rapid rise of Vietnam’s largest city.

Ms Jeannie Chan (second from left) with her family in Vietnam

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For close to 15 years, Ms Jeannie Chan has called Vietnam her second home. After graduating from NUS in 2001, the sociology and European studies major went into sales and marketing, working in the automotive and oil and gas industries before entering the education business. 

After a job posting in Vietnam, both Ms Chan and her husband co-founded Shichida Vietnam, a specialist in early childhood education, with current locations in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Today the couple travel back and forth between Vietnam, where the business is based, and Singapore, where their children are attending school. 
 

To me, Ho Chi Minh City is unique because it’s ever-evolving. It’s like a kid that’s growing up so fast that you sometimes lose track of how much has changed. There’s been a large influx of global brands and infrastructure development in recent years, but at the same time the city has retained its local charm: it doesn’t lack in either the luxurious or the simple. And the people are warm, welcoming, and sincere. 

As a tourist it’s much easier to get around now than it was 10 years ago. English is increasingly common, and apps like Grab have built-in translations and pictures, so the language barrier will be less of an issue.  New highways and the recently opened metro system have also increased accessibility. 

The Notre-Dame Cathedral 

Immerse yourself in the local culture and food. Common sites to see include the Saigon Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral, but I would skip the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace. They’re good for a picture but can also be depressing. 

Banh mi is a signature in Vietnam, consisting of a baguette filled with meats and vegetables.

Don’t be afraid to plan your day around food, especially if it’s your first visit.  

Breakfast: Nine out of 10 banh mi vendors will give you a good experience because there’s no wrong formula to it. I also recommend beef pho or bun sua (jellyfish and seafood noodles) to start the day.

Try: 58 Tran Nao, Phuong An Khanh, Thu Duc, HCM

Lunch: I like to take visitors to Quan Bui, located in Thao Dien. They serve homestyle food canteen-style, making it a good introduction to Vietnam’s diverse cuisine. I also like The Long@Times Square, which is located in front of Grand Hotel in District 1. Their lunch packages are delicious and reasonably priced, at around US$12/ person.

Try: Quan Bui, multiple locations including 03 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc, HCM or The Long@Times Square, 22 – 36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard & 57 – 69F Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, HCM

Dinner: Given the history of the French in Vietnam, it’s easy to find good French food in the city. There are good choices in Districts 1 and 2, but don’t forget to make advance reservations.

Coffee: Vietnamese iced coffee is a can’t miss. It’s thick, sweet, and strong. Another good option is the salted coffee (ca phe muoi).

Try: Hue Cafe Roastery, 67B Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, Thu Duc, HCM 

To relax after a day of walking, visit a local spa for a manicure, foot rub, or hair and scalp massage. 

A scenic drive along the coastal highway provides a view of Vietnam’s wind farms.

Go beyond the city by driving along the coastal highway. You can find some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam within just a few hours of Ho Chi Minh City, while also seeing signs of modernization in the form of solar and wind farms along the way. Foreign cars can now also drive into Vietnam, so if you’re adventurous you can plan a road trip from Singapore!

If you are staying for an extended period, I recommend checking out the Thao Dien neighbourhood of District 2. It’s a bit like the Holland Village of Ho Chih Minh City: a lot of expats, very walkable, and filled with art galleries, boutique hotels and shops. Think artisanal gelato, draft beer, and poke bowls. 

Photo: Maison Marou

Take home organic fruit chips, nuts, coffee, and tea. Also look out for Marou Chocolate, a French artisanal bean-to-bar brand that is made in Vietnam using local ingredients. They have nice gift sets and unique flavours. (They also have chocolate-tasting workshops if you’re looking for an activity to keep your children entertained!)  

Try: Maison Marou Flagship Thao Dien, 90 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, District 2, HCM 

An NUS Alumni Dinner in Hanoi
A SMALL WORLD & A GLOBAL UNIVERSITY 

“When I was an undergraduate at NUS, I didn’t have many foreign classmates,” said Ms Chan. “But I realised how much NUS has grown as a global university when I discovered some of the parents at Shichida Vietnam are alumni of the University.” 

The revelation came while attending recent NUS Alumni Dinners in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, allowing alumni of NUS to meet and mingle over their common bond.

“It made me appreciate that NUS is a great destination for many in Vietnam to study, before coming back to Vietnam to set up their businesses. This generation is entrepreneurial, well-spoken, well-traveled, and impressive,” said Ms Chan. “And it made me grateful that there’s such a strong presence of NUS in the country and that an NUS education is valued here.” 

Interview by Katherine Chinn

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