The Japanese Area

Towards the end of Le Thanh Ton heading Thon Duc Tang, there is an area that most people here call as the Japanese area. The Japanese area is not the “ghetto” as some expats who had been in Saigon for a long time would label it. In fact, the Japanese area according to a Vietnamese colleague is the most safe and peaceful expat area.

View of Le Thanh Ton from Google Photosphere

It is also called the Japanese area because many Japanese expats live in this location of District 1. And I also happen to live in this part of Saigon.

Walking around this place for over two months now, this is my view.

Map of the Japanese area in District 1

The Japanese area encircles Chu Manh Trinh, Ly Tu Trong, Thai Van Lung , Nguyen Sieu including the line of Le Thanh Ton. This area along Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong would have the newer, expensive apartments. The old rich Vietnamese who used to live in the intersections of Nguyen Sieu, Le Thanh Ton, Thai Van Lung and Chu Manh Trinh, many of them have left and their houses and apartments are being rented out. Inside this big block, there are also a number of Japanese restaurants, massage and spa centers.

The Japanese area is generally an expat residential area. There are big and small serviced rooms or apartments like the Lancaster and the Saigon Sky Garden.

The Lancaster

The Saigon Sky Garden

In this area, there are diverse and interesting restaurants.

La Cuisine Restaurant 48 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Phone number: +84 (0) 8 222 98 882

Gyoza No Teiou Address: 15/7 Lê Thánh Tôn, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Phone:+84 8 3824 8319

 

Häagen-Dazs Café Address: 11 Hàn Thuyên, Bến Nghé, Bến Nghé, District 1, Hochiminh City, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Phone:+84 8 3822 3311

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse Address: P. Q. 1, 10C Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Phone:+84 8 6254 9888

So there is a misconception about the Japanese area that it is “the ghetto” and it is a dangerous place. It is not a dangerous place. In fact, it is peaceful there. Some restaurants could also be very expensive but delectable and tourists come here to try out these famous restaurants.

Coffee from Shelter

 

When you walk in the streets of Saigon, you will find a coffee shop every 200meters. Apart from that, coffee is sold by the bike men. Bike men would usually serve black coffee or coffee with milk (condensed milk), both with strong coffee in cup filled with ice cubes at a cheaper price.

In the Japanese area, there is a small coffee shop with the name Shelter. their specialty, for me, would be the avocado coffee, served only as a cold specialty coffee. They also serve some pudding in small bottles that they also prepare. Drip coffees are also available but the avocado coffee is a must-try.

The small coffee shop has also a very comfortable and peaceful ambience for reading and a good view of Le Than Ton Street.