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Ho Chi Minh City: Sticky Rice, Motorbikes, and a Whole Lotta Humidity

@Zara Walsh3/7/2026blog

okay, so. ho chi minh city. where do i even begin? i’m still peeling the city off my skin, honestly. it’s like… a warm, fragrant hug that also tries to steal your wallet. in the best way possible, mostly.


I’m a street artist, you see. I wander, I sketch, I try to capture the feeling of a place. and ho chi minh city? it’s a feeling. a chaotic, vibrant, slightly overwhelming feeling. i’ve been bouncing around southeast asia for a few months now, and this place… this place hits different.


I just checked and it's… a damp blanket draped over everything right now. the humidity is real. like, you walk outside and immediately start sweating. but it’s a good sweat, you know? a sweat of adventure. a sweat of dodging motorbikes. a sweat of eating the most incredible *bún chả you’ve ever tasted.

Speaking of food… oh my god, the food. i spent a solid three days just wandering around district 1, inhaling everything in sight. tiny plastic stools, bustling markets, the smell of lemongrass and fish sauce… it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. i found this amazing little place on Đường Pasteur - seriously, look it up on Yelp. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Ho+Chi+Minh+City,+Vietnam - the woman running it barely spoke any english, but she made the most incredible cơm tấm.

I overheard some drunk tourists arguing about the best pho spot near Nhà thờ Đức Bà. apparently, there’s a huge debate. someone told me that Pho Hoa is overrated, but Pho 2000 is the real deal. i haven’t tried either yet, but it’s on the list.


My neighbors, if you get bored of the city, are Phan Thiết and Vũng Tàu. both are a short bus ride away and offer a much-needed dose of beach vibes. i’m thinking of heading to Phan Thiết next week to check out the sand dunes.

I’ve been sketching a lot in Công viên Tao Đàn. it’s a surprisingly peaceful oasis in the middle of all the chaos. the light is amazing there, especially in the late afternoon. i’m trying to capture the way the sunlight filters through the trees and reflects off the water. it’s… challenging, to say the least.

“Don’t trust the taxis. Seriously. They’ll rip you off if they can.” - a local woman I met at a coffee shop.


That’s solid advice, by the way. Grab a Grab (the local ride-sharing app) instead. it’s way cheaper and safer.

I’m also trying to find some decent art supplies here. it’s proving… difficult. most of the shops seem to specialize in cheap tourist trinkets. but i did stumble across a tiny little shop on Phạm Ngũ Lão that had a few decent sketchbooks. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298640-Activities-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html


I’ve been trying to learn a few basic vietnamese phrases. it’s slow going, but the locals seem to appreciate the effort. “Cảm ơn” (thank you) goes a long way. and “Xin lỗi” (excuse me) is essential for navigating the streets. seriously, you will need it.

Someone else warned me about the scams. apparently, there are a lot of them. be wary of anyone who approaches you offering “free” tours or “special” deals. if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I’m heading to Bến Thành Market* tomorrow to see if i can find some inspiration for my next mural. it’s supposed to be a total madhouse, but i’m hoping to find some interesting colors and textures. i’ll probably get lost, but that’s half the fun, right?

Oh, and one last thing: check out this forum for local events and tips. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/forums/general-discussion

ho chi minh city… it’s a lot. but it’s also amazing. go. just… be prepared to sweat.

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About the author: Zara Walsh

Loves data, hates clutter.

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