Restaurant 13

Dinning Out Vietnamese Style

When I first arrived in Saigon I stayed with friends in An Phu district, a rather expensive district just across the Saigon Bridge.

On my first night in Saigon after flying in from Sydney, my friends took me to a restaurant within walking distance of their rather nice house.

We walked pass the tennis court next door, and then crossed the street and turned down a long driveway that opened out into a large courtyard.

On the far side of the courtyard was an open air dining area with a balustrade that overlooks one of Saigon's many tributaries.

Restaurant 13 - Saigon

And after 12 hours cupped up in an airplane from Sydney, a quiet meal in the fresh air was just what was needed as well.

The restaurant had the unimaginative name of Restaurant 13, but sitting down, the three of us shared the fresh spring rolls and sauteed beef in a lemon grass and hot pepper sauce.

All washed down with Tiger beer of course!!

The main reason I have always enjoyed returning to Restaurant 13 though is the setting.

Sitting on the banks of one of Saigon's many waterways, Restaurant 13 is a tranquil open air restaurant.

On The Riverbank - Restaurant 13

And with the ceiling fan circling lazily overhead, there's nothing better than just sitting back and enjoying dinner in the cool and quiet of the evening, and watching the reeds and the many river boats drift by on the water.

Situated away from the noise and pollution of the city, Restaurant 13 is where I go when I want a peaceful dinning experience away from the traffic, the crowds, the hassle, and the noise.

So naturally, when my parents first visited Saigon, Restaurant 13 was one of the first restaurants I took them to.

It was my way of helping them acclimatize to the Saigon way of life.

It gave them a little bit of breathing space after the hustle and bustle of downtown Saigon, and gave them somewhere where they could organize their thoughts before tackling Saigon head on!

I don't know whether it worked or not, but they certainly enjoyed the change of pace that Restaurant 13 offered.

It offered them the chance to dine outside in the cool without the motorbike fumes, and without the people constantly nagging them to buy something.

In other words, in what can be otherwise mad and hectic city, Restaurant 13 offers the tired and travel weary somewhere where they can relax and dine in peace and serenity.

23 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2
Tel: 281 9970 - 744 4631