Located on Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1, Huynh Hoa is renowned as one of Saigon's top banh mi spots, frequently highlighted in international media as a must-visit. Despite its popularity, the store has also faced controversy over its high prices and brand disputes, becoming a hot topic on social media.

Recently, a new banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich or bread) shop, Trang, has emerged in Saigon, resembling Huynh Hoa in appearance. Rumors about the personal relationship between the owners of the two brands have been circulating online, though their authenticity remains unclear.

Despite the controversies, Huynh Hoa continues to attract a steady stream of customers. Locals note that the more buzz it generates online, the busier it gets, with lines forming from morning till night, every day of the week.

During a weekend morning visit, the entrance to Huynh Hoa was crowded with delivery drivers, while another nearby Huynh Hoa location was packed with international customers.

To manage the overwhelming demand, Huynh Hoa has split its operations into two shops: one handling online orders and the other serving walk-in customers.

"I am from Russia. I read many reviews about Huynh Hoa banh mi and decided to try it. I was lucky to wait only 15 minutes," shared Alena, a 25-year-old tourist.

Alena found the banh mi filling and flavorful, with a variety of ingredients that made it rich and creamy. "I think the price is reasonable. I would rate this 8.5 out of 10," she said.

Martin, a 45-year-old Frenchman, also waited nearly 30 minutes under the scorching sun to buy Huynh Hoa banh mi for his family.

"I love Vietnamese banh mi because it's delicious and convenient. Even my daughter enjoys this specialty. The banh mi here is tasty and high-quality, so the wait is worth it," said Martin.

Despite the abundance of banh mi shops in Saigon, many customers are willing to queue for Huynh Hoa. The demand for Huynh Hoa banh mi through delivery apps is also consistently high. For delivery drivers, getting a Huynh Hoa order means a long wait.

"Whenever I get an order for Huynh Hoa banh mi, I know I will have to wait, whether it's quick or long. The banh mi here is expensive, and as a driver, I probably wouldn't buy it myself, but customers keep ordering and praising it," one driver shared.

Currently, Huynh Hoa offers only one type of banh mi for 68,000 VND. It includes a variety of ingredients like cold cuts, butter, pate, sausage, char siu, cucumber, and pickles. The pate and butter are spread in the middle to keep the crust crispy. The shop's owner has repeatedly stated that all ingredients are made according to a proprietary recipe.

The banh mi is neatly packed in a paper box, making it suitable for both immediate enjoyment and as a gift. "Customers can buy it to eat or as a gift," a shop employee mentioned.

In recent years, Huynh Hoa banh mi has been frozen, packed, and shipped by air to northern provinces. In Hanoi, a Huynh Hoa banh mi transported by air costs up to 100,000 VND. Customers are advised to thaw it in the fridge before reheating it in the oven.

For customers in nearby provinces, the shop offers vacuum-sealed packaging and delivery by car.

Huynh Hoa's prices have long been a topic of debate.

Fans of Huynh Hoa argue that "you get what you pay for." The banh mi is filled with high-quality ingredients, including a generous amount of pate, shredded pork, sausage, ham, xa xiu meat, and various pickles. There are 13 different fillings inside, making it hefty enough to be shared by two people. Many loyal customers believe that the rich, flavorful pate is what sets Huynh Hoa apart.

However, for some, spending nearly 70,000 VND on a banh mi is unthinkable. "One banh mi costs as much as my breakfast groceries for a family of four"; "68,000 VND for a banh mi is only for the wealthy or the curious, not for regular folks who buy 18,000 VND banh mi," some commented.

Nhu Khanh - Linh Trang