To kickstart the day, Anna opted for a banh mi filled with Vietnamese sausage and a fried egg from a street vendor near their hotel. Meanwhile, Dan indulged in a steaming bowl of hu tieu ga (chicken noodle soup) for 30,000 VND.  

Anna praised the banh mi as a hearty and affordable breakfast staple, while Dan raved about the flavorful broth and tender chicken in his hu tieu. “I’m not usually a breakfast person, but this was a satisfying and hearty meal,” Dan said.  

For lunch, Anna enjoyed goi cuon tai heo (fresh spring rolls with pig ear), purchasing three rolls for just 7,000 VND each. “They’re beautifully presented and refreshing, but the sauce really makes the dish,” she noted.  

Dan headed to a street-side stall on Ham Nghi Street in District 1, where he savored a plate of com tam (broken rice) with grilled pork, fried egg, and pickled vegetables for 44,000 VND. Although slightly pricier than other com tam stalls, Dan attributed the cost to the location in District 1 and praised the dish’s quality.  

For their final meal, the couple visited a local eatery on Nguyen Khac Nhu Street. Anna ordered nui xao bo (stir-fried macaroni with beef) for 35,000 VND, paired with free iced tea. She described the macaroni as soft and delicious, especially when paired with soy sauce.  

Dan chose another banh mi, this time with shredded chicken and a fried egg, for 30,000 VND.  

By the end of the day, Dan had spent 109,000 VND on three meals, including hu tieu (30,000 VND), com tam (44,000 VND), and banh mi (30,000 VND), along with a 5,000 VND iced tea. “It’s incredible to try three distinct meals for under $5,” he remarked, noting that he once spent only 75,000 VND in a single day despite Ho Chi Minh City’s reputation as one of Vietnam’s more expensive destinations.  

Anna’s total was slightly lower at 94,000 VND, including banh mi (20,000 VND), goi cuon (21,000 VND), nui xao bo (35,000 VND), and desserts—fried buns and a donut - for 18,000 VND.  

The couple was delighted by the affordability and variety of Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary offerings, showcasing the city as a must-visit destination for food lovers on a budget.