Things To Do At Night in Ho Chi Minh City

It was truly a privilege to be hosted by Tu and his family for dinner in their family home. The 15km journey from our central hotel to the Nha Binh district during peak hour HCMC traffic was an experience in itself. We were greeted by Tu and his family and shared an unforgettable evening meal of seafood hotpot, a local specialty. Over the next two hours Tu shared stories of his life and te local culture. His family were so welcoming and generous. We leaned so much and will forever remember the experience.

This is a must if you want to experience Viatnamese family life. Tu picked me up and we travelled in the mad Ho Chi Min traffic to his home in the suburbs where I met his wife, her mother and Tu's son Finn who was great fun. Mum in law is same age as me (61) so we had a good laugh. Apparently my hands are too soft - not worker's hands 🤣 The hot pot was delicious and plenty of it, followed by coconut milk jelly, equally yummy and I was given some to take home. All too soon the evening was over but I will treasure my time with Tu and his family 🥢🍵💜 10 star ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We had an absolutely amazing time with Tu as our host! From the moment we arrived, Tu’s warm hospitality made us feel like part of the family. Cooking and enjoying Vietnamese hotpot together was such a special experience—everything was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and prepared with so much care. What made the evening even more special was the presence of Tu’s lovely wife and their two beautiful kids. Their warmth and kindness made us feel truly welcome, and it was such a joy to share this experience with them. It felt like an authentic glimpse into local family life, filled with laughter, great conversation, and, of course, delicious food! Tu’s passion for Vietnamese culture and cuisine truly shines through, and he made the whole experience both fun and educational. Not only did he share fantastic travel tips for Ho Chi Minh City, but he also gave us great insights on visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, helping us plan for an unforgettable adventure beyond the city. A few highlights made this experience even more unforgettable. Tu went above and beyond by arranging a local ceramic BBQ from the Mekong Delta for me—a truly special gift that reflects the craftsmanship of the region. And for the adventurous food lovers, I even tried Hot Vit Lon, also known as Vietnamese balut, one of the most unique and polarizing street foods in Vietnam (and was optional for me to choose). This fertilized duck egg is a dish that combines deep cultural significance with bold flavors, often catching travelers by surprise. To top it all off, we also got to taste durian fruit, the famous "king of fruits" known for its strong aroma and creamy texture. It was an unforgettable culinary adventure! If you’re looking for an unforgettable, local experience in Ho Chi Minh City, we highly recommend this! Thank you, Tu, and your wonderful family, for an incredible evening—we’ll be dreaming of that delicious hotpot (and reminiscing about balut and durian!) for a long time!

We had an amazing time with Tu & his family! The food was fantastic and the company fabulous! Thank you for opening your home to us Tu!