THAODIEN UPDATES
Something new is always happening in Thao Dien. Out on 12 Quoc Huong on the turnoff from Highway 1, the Thao Dien Pearl Shopping Mall with it's Mega Star Cineplex, World Games arcade and supermarket is almost fully open. On Nguyen Van Huong, just steps from Waterfall ThaoDien, the BBQ and live music hangout Saigon Outcast is going from strength to strength. And because ThaoDien is a place where we both work hard and play hard, we've now got French school Ecole International Francaise Saint Ange right next to Saigon Outcast. Because so much goes on in ThaoDien, a pargraph isn't enought to say it all. So CLICK HERE to find out more about the neighbourhood and HERE to find out what all's happening.
EATING AND PLAYING
RESTAURANT 13: This riverside restaurant on 23 Nguyen U Di street is our local. Thao Dien is not a cheap neighbourhood and it's possible you could get better for less money other places, but we love the riverview and the garden and the diversity of the menu. CLICK HERE to find out more ...
THE LOOP: This cafe on 49 ThaoDien serves all day breakfast, really good coffee and bagels, and a great street view. CLICK HERE to find out more.
MON HUE THAODIEN: This casual chain restaurant on 16 ThaoDien street serves all the Central Vietnamese basics quickly at reasonable prices and with air-conditioning. There are business lunch specials too! CLICK HERE to find out more.
FANNY ICECREAM: Set in a villa garden with lots of play equipment fopr the children and a quiet indoor gallry for the adults, Fanny on Xuan Thuy has the best rum and raisin ice-cream ever and a can't beat for value ice-cream buffet on Saturday evenings. Num... mum... mum. CLICK HERE to find out more.
MEKONG MERCHANT: We like the hamburgers and fat french fries at this bistro on 23 Thao Dien. Service staff are wonderful and there are nice desserts too. CLICK HERE to find out more
FINE FRENCH DINING: Two options, La Villa on 14 Ngo Quang Huy and Trois Gourmands on 39 Tran Ngoc Dien. Tripadvisor has them rated well.
THE DECK: This riverside retreat, run by the same folks as Mekong Merchant, is the go to chill out bar to end the evening. It's got beautifully executed food too, but it's the ambience that tilts the balance. CLICK HERE to find out more.
There's more because it's ThaoDien. But, for the rest, we're going to leave you to google. It's time for the fun and games!
ALTERNATIVE MUSIC AND BBQ: Saigon Outcast of course!
SPORTS BAR: Buddha Bar and Grill is a good place to drink all night with a pool table, darts, foosball and sports TV. CLICK HERE for reviews.
KID'S SPORTS: AIS Sports Centre at 36 Thao Dien offers a secure state of the art environment for children to participate in their swimming, basketball, cricket, tennis, karate and soccer programs. CLICK HERE to check it out.
SHOPPING
METRO AN PHU: Metro off the Saigon bound Highway 1 southbound Highway 13 on Song Hanh is the place to go for all your essentials. From photocopy paper to quality beef, you're sure to find it there. CLICK HERE for location.
ANNAM GOURMET THAODIEN at 41A ThaoDien is a full service European delicatessen.
FOR CONVENIENCE: There's a Sunflower Minimarket in the Xi Riverview Condominium across the road from Waterfall ThaoDien.
QUOC HUONG STREET: is lined with local fruit shops, fast food vendors, fish mongers and butchers.
OTHER SHOPPING: There's slick bamboo furniture, real antiques and the other kind. There are dress shops and flower stalls. We're spoilt for choice in ThaoDien, so just take your bike out for a whizz and keep your eyes open. .
LEARNING AND HEALTH
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, the leading international school in HCMC, has primary and secondary campuses on 225 Nguyen Van Huong.
THE AMERICAN SCHOOL is on 172 Nguyen Van Huong
THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL has a kindergarten at 190 Nguyen Van Huong and a junior school campus on 36 Thao Dien.
ECOLE INTERNATIONAL FRANCAISE SAINT ANGE is on 188A2 Nguyen Van Huong.
FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE VIETNAM is at 95 Thao Dien .
THE EUROPEAN DENTAL CLINIC is at 17 Le Van Mien.