Two foreign tourists enjoy a drink amid the greenery at Binh An.

Tranquility in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh District? Hard to believe, but its true…

The name couldn’t be more appropriate. Half-restaurant, half-luxurious retreat, Binh An Village Restaurant Saigon is one of the only places you can get a little peace and quiet in the metropolis.

Seemingly light-years away from the bustling city, Binh An boasts picturesque landscaping, professional service and a quiet atmosphere.

Surrounded by breathtaking tropical gardens and coconut trees, Binh An Village’s old-fashioned bungalows, traditional Vietnamese furniture, bright green lawns and charming pond full of water-lilies provide the perfect setting for some much-needed relaxation.

The place is a mix of the Vietnamese villages of yesteryear and modern, opulent European styles. The quaint mix of countryside and hoity-toity is never boring.

Open-air dining is one of the best experiences Binh An has to offer. It boasts a large and tasty variety of traditional country cuisine such as house-recipe fried spring rolls, fresh lotus shrimp salad, spectacular grilled seacooking and sticky rice, vegetables and even kim chi (traditional Korean fermented dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings). It’s not just a rendezvous point, but a quiet gastronomic party.

Every Sunday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., the Saigon Jazz Quintet sooths travelers to Binh An with the soft sounds of jazz. Boat cruises, DJs, traditional Vietnamese folk music, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) dances, circus performances, water puppet shows and many other events can be booked in advance.

It’s just a restaurant, but then again it’s another world.

Binh An Village Restaurant Saigon

1163 Binh Quoi St., Ward 28, Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC

Tel: (08) 3 556 6099 – Fax: (08) 3 898 7770

www.binhanvillage.com

Reported by Kim