Pham Ngu Lao Street – Backpacker’s Street (Pho Tay Saigon)
Pham Ngu Lao Street is located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, Vietnam. The street was named after a national hero of Vietnam. Pham Ngu Lao Street or “Pho Tay” or “Khu Tay Ba Lo”, are familiar way of Saigon people and tourists named for the residential areas located on three main roads of De Tham, Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao. The reason for the call “Pho Tay, Khu Tay Ba Lo” is because this place has a number of foreign visitors, especially Western backpackers (used to refer to foreigners who travel to Vietnam often wear backpacks on their backs).
The Pho Tay is situated on the three roads that are not too long however, there are hundreds of services from tourism, restaurants, bars, hotels, cafés to groceries, souvenirs, DVDs, fashion shops, war memorabilia, etc. There are loads of international visitors come to this street every day, especially the Western backpackers. Pham Ngu Lao Street is considered a multinational and multicultural town due to the fact that tourists coming here are not only Westerners but also many visitors from Asian countries and domestic travellers.
If traveler visit Saigon around the Backpacker’s area, they will find most of the famous street foods in Saigon. For example, from the street food such as Hu tieu go, rice noodles, breads, rice, Pho to dishes namely pizzas, pha lau, hot pots or popular snacks like skewers, Banh trang tron, grilled German sausages, corns, grilled lotteries and so on.
In addition to street foods, the Street for Backpackers also has a numerous bars and pubs such as Rooftop Bar (195-197 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1), Yolo Pub & Café (4 Pham Ngu Lao), Crazy Buffalo Bar (212 Bui Vien, District 1, Ho Chi Minh), Go2 Bar (187 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao), Beer Bui Vien-Cold Beer (71 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao), Guru Sports Bar Flagship (138 Le Lai, District 1), Boheme Pub (28/2A Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward), etc. The drinks you can find here are tea, coffee, beer, wine and cocktails with different colors.
Besides, the Backpacker District of Saigon is also known for its affordable guest houses and mini-hotels as well as the availability of tourist agencies, which is similar to Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
The rhythm of living in Pham Ngu Lao street is often bustling, especially at night. Visitors can explore fascinating destinations in Saigon such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and the tallest Bitexco building in the city. In the evening, tourists can go to Backpacker’s Street to relax, entertain, enjoy a variety of foods and drinks and immerse in the dynamic lifestyle with full of energy. Spending a day exploring Ngu Lao Pham Lao Street, visitors will never feel wasted with their Saigon day trip.
Have a nice and joyful trip!
Great review
Great review