“Instead of pho, I’ve got another noodle recommendation for you! A must-go, Ha Ky sells the best hu tieu (known in Singapore as kway teow) soup, served with fresh fish and/or chicken slices. Wash it down with a good iced coffee from the shop next door.”

“Egg coffee a.k.a ca phe trung (an iconic Viet beverage traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and coffee) is more popular in northern Vietnam, but if you find yourself craving for it in HCMC, Ca Phe Linh is a nice place to start. Their coconut coffee is pretty good too!”

“Roka Fella, done by my partner Earn Chen, and friend Jon Kang. The Okura Hotel design-inspired vinyl bar is a place of respite and audio pleasure in the middle of the city. Pop down to the first floor for delicious omakase by the same team.”

“Thi Ngeh Market is a street market that gets packed with locals, especially during the morning. You can find authentic Vietnamese breakfast foods and ingredients here. It’s not catered for tourists, so expect shops peddling sundries, household goods, stalls selling fuss-free local dishes – in every corner and along the river – and a bustling crowd.”

“In a country with so much history, there are many places to get your dose of Vietnam’s story. A performance that I loved was The A O show in the beautiful Saigon Opera House – it was an extraordinary show full of local art and cultural storytelling.”

“Head to local stalwart The Observatory for a long night of good house and techno, and pop by Bam Bam Saigon to start everything right.”

“Vintage shopping is a fun way for me to explore a new city. Skip (usual suspects like) Ben Thanh Market and head to The Demor (pictured). It’s one of my favourite vintage stores and has a wide range of products, from Vietnamese army uniforms to quality Levi’s denim.”