A Philippine expat tries Ho Chi Minh street food — pho and com tam vs Filipino carinderia prices

A Philippine expat tries Ho Chi Minh street food — pho and com tam vs Filipino carinderia prices

In one line
A host who has lived in the Philippines for 14 years spends his first day in Ho Chi Minh City eating pho and com tam (charcoal-grilled pork rice), comparing food prices, money exchange, markets and language with the Philippines.

💡 Key takeaways

[Language — vs the Philippines]
• In the Philippines, Taglish (English mixed with Tagalog) is common, so basic conversation works even without Tagalog, he says.
• In Ho Chi Minh, even at a 5-star hotel, only reception staff could communicate in English, so he used a translator app.

[First meal — pho shop]
• A local pho shop recommended by hotel staff; the host introduces it as a Michelin-star place two years running, in business since 1968. Name: check the video.
• English and photo menus available. The 1st floor is packed; the 2nd floor has air conditioning, recommended if you sweat a lot.

[Hotel & money]
• He stayed at La Bella Saigon Hotel in District 3 (introduced as 5-star), with a rooftop pool and gym, booked via Agoda. No early check-in, so he left his bags.
• Dong conversion tip: divide the dong amount by 2 and drop one zero to get roughly the KRW amount (varies with the exchange rate).
• Many taxi drivers don't speak English, and he'd heard people snatch large bills if foreigners fumble with money, so he stayed alert. He got small change for taxis at the hotel.

[Markets & exchange — vs the Philippines]
• Ben Thanh Market in District 1 is a well-known symbol of Ho Chi Minh for tourists.
• Manila has Divisoria, the biggest market, but the host says it has some risks, so most people go to Greenhills Shopping Center. He thinks Ben Thanh wins on size and sights.
• In the Philippines, rates differ quite a bit between the airport and well-known city money changers, but in Ho Chi Minh the market money changer was barely different from the airport, he says.

[Com tam vs Filipino carinderia]
• A charcoal com tam shop in business since 1995 (introduced as Michelin-starred), busy with takeout too. Hygiene is similar to the Philippines, he says.
• Grilled pork shoulder, rice, sausage and pickled radish salad; the popular dish costs about 200 pesos equivalent.
• For comparison, a meal at a Filipino carinderia averages about 100 pesos but comes with little meat and lots of rice. He believes you can't get food like this for 200 pesos anywhere in the Philippines.

⏱ Chapters
00:00 Arriving in Ho Chi Minh, language vs the Philippines
01:01 Language barrier, finding the pho shop
02:05 Trying the pho
03:07 Hotel check-in, dong conversion tip
04:09 Ben Thanh Market vs Manila markets
05:10 Money exchange, com tam shop
06:10 Com tam price vs Filipino carinderia

💬 What viewers said (22 comments)
• Most comments welcome the host back after a long break.
• Viewers who know both countries shared memories of the pho shop, a tip that Hanoi food is better, and comparisons of the two cuisines.
• One viewer wished the shop locations had been linked.