To the east of the two streets, on the river side, is an area dubbed 'The Ghetto' -- a lot of foreigners living in this mish mash of alleys. Probably a good place to look for a shared house, or check the billboards in nearby Internet Cafes and bars. On the other side of Le Thanh Ton is Saigon Skygarden, the newly built Lancaster and behind that, on Ly Tu Trong, is Norfolk Mansion, all high end serviced apartments. Now, if I was a resident in Norfolk Mansion, and I had watched the slow but sure rise of the Lancaster in front of my eyes, I'd have moved. In a truly unbelievable, although perfectly believable situation, the buildings are about 5 meters away from each other.
Here's my list of '5 things you can do if you lived in the Lancaster and your friend lived in Norfolk Mansions'
1) Get hold of some string and paper cups to save money on phone bills.
2) Chat on the balcony about how bad the view is.
3) Play badminton.
4) Play games on your mobile phone using bluetooth.
5) Have ESPN on in one apartment, and Star Sports on in the other, and watch two EPL games at the same time.
Anyway......
Looking down Le Thanh Ton from Thai Van Lung:
You can see the green leprechaun of Sheridan's and the chalk menu board of Boss Cafe, both locations for this Saturday's St Patrick's Day celebrations (tickets $35). Further down the street are other restaurants including Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, Western, and even Nepalese. Unfortunately, also this:
Globalization go away! One is already open in Diamond Plaza.
Thai Van Lung itself is packed with Korean restaurants, and many others including the Mediterranean restaurant Skewers.
Also on this street is 'Arab Kebab', worth a look if you enjoy chicken or lamb wrapped in pita and filled with some kind of delicious sauce -- in other words, if you're human.
Thai Van Lung itself is packed with Korean restaurants, and many others including the Mediterranean restaurant Skewers.
Also on this street is 'Arab Kebab', worth a look if you enjoy chicken or lamb wrapped in pita and filled with some kind of delicious sauce -- in other words, if you're human.
13 comments:
Thanks Jon. My list of cures for homesickness is growing for the next visit to Saigon.
Jon, the situation between the Lancaster and the Norfolk isn't that much different from the hundred or so high-rise condo towers on the Mid-levels in Hong Kong. How about that as a model for the develoment of Saigon?
-- Mel
I don't think it's a good model Mel!
Thanks for the tips! Definitely have to take a wander through those streets when I get to VN. Arab Kebab? That's pretty funny!
With all the developments happening around Saigon, it reminds me of all the stuff I read/hear about Dubai- another city I'd love to visit one day...possibly in 5 years time when it's mostly finished.
jon,intriguing those two apartment blocks.Both blocks look very smart,but have the apartments in the norfolk been de-valued with the building of the lancaster. Is there much difference in price between them? One things for sure i would be pissed off if i lived in the norfolk!
Nice post, it's funny you should write about Thai Van Lung as I'm about to do a "Streetsmart" article on it for AsiaLife. Hope it lives up to your post :)
Should be a straightforward one Henno! Plenty to write about on that street. I like Le Jardin on TVL, nice garden setting for a glass of wine and a steak.
Girl from Oz - have a great vacation in Saigon!
R.Manon - I'm not sure if the buidings were devalued, but I doubt it affected the rent price. Most of the patrons are probably placed into those kind of serviced apartments by their companies anyway, not having much choice in the matter.
Hi Jon
The married man! Just wanted to say hi and that I have really enjoyed reading your blog which I linked to off friends reunited. Really glad to see that you are doing so well and leading a really interesting life! A few people from BS are starting to appear on facebook.com which is quite good for keeping in touch as well.
Cheers
Dave Court
dave@daveandjill.co.uk
I know this is gonna sound like really old bloke speak, but... it's amazing how things change in a few months. Really enjoying your 'changing Saigon' slots. Doubt I'd recognise the place and I've only been away for 7 months. Pizza Hut... gahhh. What about a good pizza outlt?
Jon, you should really try dining at the tiny restaurant "Specialites' Mediteranne" at the end of the street, on the opposite side of Skewers, don't let the look deceive you! For me it presents the best French menu in town, a little pricey thou but worth a visit!
Thanks for the tip Huynh - I've seen that place before but I've never been in. I will be sure to give it a go some time soon.
Graham, yes, Pizza Hut is here. Let us all sit around on the floor and tell sad stories....
Just to point out that the Norfolk is a serviced apartment building and the Lancaster is a condominium. In practical terms, if you have a security/cleaning/technical issue, at the Lancaster you solve it (or not) by yourself with the help (or not) of the owner.
Alas Arab Kebab is no more! Replaced by Pizza Hut eh? Pah!
Have lived in Saigon for 3 years and am proud to say I have never frequented Lotteria OR Pizza Hut. Great blog btw!
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