The late Anthony Bourdain often said “I've been all over Vietnam, a place I feel a special connection to”, likely due to his French heritage, and I couldn’t agree more. Bourdain had this gift for seeing beauty in the seemingly mundane, and it’s hard not to channel his perspective while exploring Ho Chi Minh City. For someone like me—a traveler from a modest background who’d have to spend a fortune to visit Europe—I found the Paris of my imagination, built through books and films, right here. The wide boulevards, the bustling cafés lining the sidewalks, and the hum of people sipping tea or coffee while exchanging ideas—it’s the soul of Paris I’ve always dreamt of, brought to life in Southeast Asia.

Bourdain often romanticized life’s simple pleasures, and in Ho Chi Minh City, those pleasures abound. Here, smoking is still part of the social fabric, unlike in cities like Singapore or Bangkok. You can light up a cigarette almost anywhere—in an alley, on the sidewalk, or while sipping coffee perched on a tiny stool outside a café. Strolling through the streets, shaded by magnificent trees, or losing yourself in a maze of alleys, you’re bound to stumble upon hidden cafés wedged between colorful, quirky buildings. Picture this: jazz softly playing in a tucked-away backyard, vines and greenery wrapping around you, and a damn good cup of coffee in hand. Bourdain would have loved it.

And this isn’t just one magical spot—it’s the rhythm of the entire city. Cafés here range from roadside vendors with tiny stools to sophisticated spots nestled in alleys. By nightfall, the sidewalks come alive with crowds chatting until midnight, about everything from Premier League matches to starting new ventures—or perhaps sketching out plans for a building with a façade no wider than 5–10 meters. It’s a city of dreamers, hustlers, and creators, all making something beautiful out of what little space they have.

This organic growth has shaped Ho Chi Minh City into a vibrant mosaic of buildings in all shapes, colors, and designs. Yet, thanks to the French-influenced wide boulevards, the city avoids the claustrophobic feel of a concrete jungle. Unlike Bangkok, where skyscrapers and endless structures can feel overwhelming, Ho Chi Minh City breathes. It’s a place where the architecture, the streets, and the energy all seem to agree on one thing: this city is for the people. And Bourdain, ever the champion of human connection, would’ve seen that instantly.

If you plan a trip, aim for 3–4 days—but don’t be surprised if it becomes an eternity. This city has a way of pulling you in, much like Bourdain’s stories about Vietnam always did.

As for a simple bowl of pho on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City? Let’s just say Bourdain himself would agree—it’s worth more than an article.