Views In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, a 1960’s hotspot for correspondents and US Army officers.
Restaurant Name: Rex Hotel Rooftop Garden and Bar
Address: 141 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Note: This is an independent restaurant review based on my experience.
Vietnam is one of our favourite travel destinations. Extremely friendly people, good food and great prices boomerang the country to the top of our list. On a recent visit, we were meeting friends in the rather famous Rex Hotel Rooftop Garden, a bar restaurant which was a popular Saigon meeting place during the controversial Vietnamese War.
The Restaurant / Bar: Although it is located in the hotel, anyone is welcome to go for drinks and food. You enter the hotel and take the elevator up to the open air venue. The atmosphere is exactly what you look for in hot temperatures – open, airy space with ceiling fans, wicker and a days gone by charm along with a nice view of Ho Chi Minh city.
The Service: Slow, unfriendly. It was such a disappointment to have the unprofessional server who seemed to be angry and uninterested in our table. This had nothing in common with the smiling friendliness we have known and come to appreciate in Vietnam.
The Food: Our group ordered 4 club sandwiches, 2 coffees, 2 long drinks, 2 beers and 2 sodas. The drinks took a long time to arrive, I think we asked two times where they were. The cocktails were extremely small, but tasted very good. The french fries were cold and the sandwiches as well. I would never complain about a cold clubhouse, but french fries should be hot – especially in an upscale establishment.
The Cost: Expensive; 3,165,000 Dong / €120 / USD$139
To summarize, a nice atmosphere with crappy service and exorbitant prices. Go, because of the history, maybe for a nice evening out, but I would recommend drinking solely beers and eat elsewhere.
Get There:
Links of Possible Interest:
→ Ho Chi Minh, Saigon / Photos
…..⇒ Top 12 List of Things to See and Do
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Location: Asia > Southeast Asia > Vietnam > South Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon > District 1 > Nguyen Hue Blvd > Rex Hotel > Rex Hotel Rooftop Garden and Bar
