The Grocery Comes to You!

Well, more accurately, would be "the fruit market comes to you!" Everyday, we find amazing locally grown fresh tropical fruits from the fertile Mekong Delta region, in the south of Vietnam, and lovely fresh berries from the Central Highlands area, being sold by people on their bicycles. They have very large baskets attached, not to the front but, to the back of their bikes holding the fruit. Sometimes they bike around the city and we flag them down, other times they line up in a row on busy streets during rush hour and people on their motorbikes just pull over and buy some from them quickly- then take off... This is fast food the healthy and fun way! (they also carry little portable low tech scales for the fruit)

Peeled pears for sale!















Tangerines for sale

Valentine's in Saigon

So, I wasn't expecting Valentine's Day to be as special in Saigon as it usually is in New York. But, today was as special as ever! Tonight we experienced an amazing 9-course meal prepared by 3-star Michelin chef Regis Marcon from St-Bonnet-le-Froid, France and we were able to meet him which was a real treat! I was totally shocked that I didn't know a 3-star was in town! H did an amazing job keeping this surprise!

photo by: chefs.rougie-profesional.es

We also enjoyed a wonderful chocolate tasting at the Park Hyatt around tea time and for the past two days, H has brought me the most beautiful red roses grown in Dalat, in the central highlands region of the country... It's so nice to be able to celebrate the holiday here too! There were roses and lovers holding hands all over the city today. The Vietnamese are very into Valentine's Day :)
Park Hyatt Chocolate tasting!Beautiful red roses!

Stephen Sprouse LV collection

Yes, indeed! We have the Stephen Sprouse Louis Vuitton collection here too! A few people I've come across, who have not yet visited our awesome city, think of Saigon as very "developing world". Though there are some "developing" areas in the city there are also luxe boutiques, world class restaurants and beautiful tree lined boulevards! The vast majority of clients at Louis Vuitton in Saigon are locals, not expats...  

More about the collection: 

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/01/video_in_bed_with_marc_jacobs.html