The Rex Rooftop Garden Bar, Saigon

Saigon is well known for their many rooftop bars. We decided to go to the Rooftop Garden at the gorgeous heritage Rex Hotel. Unlike the other rooftop bars, this one was only on the fifth floor but it was stunning. It was smack in downtown Saigon, right next to the Ho Chi Minh Statue (inaugurated in 2015 to commemorate Ho Chi Minh's 125th birthday) and is also next to the HCMC's People's Committee building, a French colonial style building built back in 1902-1908. One thing I adored so much about Saigon was how well-kept many of the French colonial buildings were, and how amazing it was to preserve such (unpleasant?) history even in this modern age. Few steps away from the HCMC People's Committee building is the under-renovation Metro!

Anyway, back to Rex Rooftop Garden, we initially made reservations for drinks but we ended up eating there. Prices were reasonable for a fancy hotel (its a 5 star hotel with branded stores on the ground floor). I actually chose this particular bar over the others because it had historic value LOL #historygeekalert
As stated on the website, the Rooftop Garden is the place that the memories still remain, of which it recalls the world to its past famous calling “Five O’clock Follies”, where international correspondents covered the Vietnam war, U.S officers and GIs had their drinking niche during the 60s.

How amazing is that? We sat in the exact same place where news were being known, prepared and possibly sent for publishing back during the Vietnam War!

the view was so pretty. to the left, you can see the under construction Metro. This area is also what I would consider the "upper east side" because it is where all the branded stores, 5 star hotels and tighter security are.

beautiful view of the HCMC People's Committee building and the Ho Chi Minh Statue

The menu had local cuisine, so we opted for the (of course) Vietnamese roll and pho.

There was also live music but we didn't stay long. We walked around the Square after that.

The HCMC People's Committee Building is not available for public access but you get to admire the building from the outside. Absolutely beautiful architecture! It really made me miss Paris so much more.. Paris 2018????????? *stares at BF

I personally feel its so great the Saigon is working on building the Metro because transportation is not pleasant for tourists over there. Motorbikes everywhere, and nobody giving way to anything or anyone, along with the traffic jams. It'll probably be years til its completed, but way to go, Vietnam!

Xx