more on eating and ... eating..?

It seems like all i do in Vietnam is drift from one cafe to the next restaurant .. and of course write music and practice piano (that's regardless anyways!).
So a few more places I would recommend:
1. Traditional style Vietnamese - Din Ky Restaurant - 137C Nguyen Trai St. This is also a shopping strip with quite a few nice stores such as Schu (for shoes) and Valenciani (a bit of a hit and miss with dresses and accessories but some real gems in there). Zen plaza is also on Nguyen Trai st but i never seem to find anything in there.
2. cafe-style food/drinks - Cafe Terrace - beautiful decor, also partnered with the Paris Deli for cakes/bread related stuff. Cafe Terrace is either 65 Le Loi St, District 1 in the Saigon Centre Building or out in District 7 on the main strip.

Annnywayyysss, 4 days til Love Heart 2010 show and we're practicing/tweeking the show. Super excited - i have my dresses, can't wait to see what GIV have installed for me with the jewellery.

Shout out to Gems International Vietnam for their support towards Heart Reach Australia and towards us!

It's an early night for me - photos to be uploaded soon :)
au revoir for now
xx
V-A

Places to go and things to do in Vietnam ...

Today was our press conference for 'Love Heart' 2010 - Heart Reach Australia show for July 31st at the New World Hotel, Saigon. I have to say it was gruelling and frustrating at the same time because as much as i tried to speak in Vietnamese, there are still holes in my expression and couldn't get enough across. Of course we had a translator but i want to be able to do it without assistance (something to strive for eh? :D)
Amidst recording and writing music, I've been able to eat and do a few things so I thought i'd share for people who are wanting to go to vietnam:
1. For beef jerky, dried jackfruit and other dried fruits etc: Hieu Keo Mut 751, Cua Dong, Cho Ben Thanh (It's in the Ben Thanh markets but go to store 751 - they have the best tasting ones!!)
2. For Pho: Pho Hung - it's better than any other that i've tasted in Vietnam
3. Tailor - there's quite a few including at 744/6E Nguyen Kiem, P.Go Vap - it is the tailor who does the major brands of NinoMaxx and N&M (big brands in VN)
4. For Bun Bo Hue: Mon An Hue Restaurant - it's a chain but awesome awesome Bun Bo Hue - on Hai Ba Trung St P.Tan Dinh and also in District 7 (Phu My Hung)
5. For kitschy quirky traditional vietnamese cuisine: 10 Dang Tat, P. Tan Dinh (a MAJOR hidden treasure and you will walk past it without knowing) - the BEST fried tofu with lemongrass and chilli.
6. For traditional vietnamese cuisine, simple but perfect: Hoang Yen Restaurant (also a chain - about 4 stores around HCMC, the main one is on Ngo Duc Ke, District 1.
7. Mediteranean cuisine: I know, why would you want to eat that in Vietnam but sometimes, you just need a change :D It's on Mac Thi Buoi St, District 1 down an alleyway across the road from The Factory Bar (I will write the name of it soon- slipped my mind for the time being).

More will come :D
xx
Much love,
V-A

Vietnam in July!

Hellooooo everyone!
It's beeen aggessss since i've written a blog entry. Of course, the excuse is always things have been so hectic .. but i really should reflect sometimes. Like how people go to church and reflect. I use to write a hell of a lot more and miss it actually!
So i'm in Vietnam right now for the 2nd time this year. An almost 1 month stint this time and wow, i'm soaking in more of the vietnamese culture.
The crazy clashes and juxtaposition of the poor and rich is much more inherent. You see Audi Q7s, S class Mercedes, BMW coupes, even Porsche Cayennes pretty much everywhere ... amidst bicycles, motorbikes, and of course the beloved taxis (let me tell you it's a love-hate relationship with them...so handy but so expensive after taking taxis EVERYWHERE during the day).

Food culture is amazingggggggg, some beautiful hidden treasures that i'm finding here and I'll post up my findings really soon - food, tailors, fruit markets and DIAMONDS :)

All things aside, Im here to do a charity show 'Love Heart 2010' for Heart Reach Australia July 31st 2010 at the NEw World Hotel, HCMC. if anyone is interested, please go to www.newworldsaigon.com or tickets are available from the front desk ($1,500,000VND a ticket).
It's all going to an amazing cause and the concert features myself and Thanh Bui in an intimate theatre-in-the-round style concert. It includes the after-party, unlimited drinks and food afterwards and features DJ Justin Murta who has kindly offered his time for us.
Our aim is to reach our $10,000AUD target to finish building the medical clinic in the Tan Thach district for the children of the area.

Gotta run... this Gloria Jeans latte in VN has not been all that bad but time to run to work.
Lots of new friends, old friends, and a bloody good time :)

Much love and grace,
Van-Anh xx