Pho Bo
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Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Saigon best Pho Bo, or Vietnamese beef noodle soup, in my book, has got to be at 120/39 Tran Hung Dao Street, Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It’s hidden away in one of those alley at Saigon backpacker hostel area and not quite easy to find. But when you are with Vietnam720.com, you know you can always count on ‘How to get to‘. 
Find your way in Bui Vien Street to the number 133 which is in between a hotel at number 131 and a cafe at number 135. There’s a small sign above the alley way that reads ‘Chua Phuoc Hau’ (circled in yellow) which is the name to a small temple inside a maze of alleys.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Walk into the alley and make a right turn (follow the direction of the yellow arrow). Note: a dangerous blind spot where you may get motorbikes speeding out.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
From here, make a left turn (follow the direction of the yellow arrow). Again, watch out for motorbikes.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Right turn at the end of the alley (follow the direction of the yellow arrow). Watch out for motorbikes.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Make the last left turn at the end of the alley (follow the direction of the yellow arrow). Watch out for motorbikes.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
After your last left turn, walk another 20m down to get your Saigon best Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
This is the lady I go to whenever I need to get my Pho Bo fix. She is one of the friendliest Vietnamese ladies around.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
This is how a typical Vietnamese ‘restaurant’ inside an alley looks like. It’s actually the ground floor of a house. 2 more long tables outside the already narrow alley means one can serve more customers But I love it this way. It adds authenticity to my Pho Bo experience.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
This is the pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow (or alley ). Lots of pleasure awaits the fellow who takes the unbeaten path to find the best Pho Bo, or Vietnamese beef noodle soup, in Saigon.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
My favorite Pho Bo in Saigon cost only US$0.80. Comes with lots of vegetables and even free tissues . Tip: drop in a few slices of chili to add to the flavor.
Pho Bo, Vietnamese beef noodle soup
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This I will definitely try to find when there. It’s challenging. I don’t read maps but, hell hath no barrier when a woman hungers.
Alo Vin, it’s not as difficult as it seems.
And if u are coming in Apr as stated in your email, Saigon’s gonna be bloody hot. Pack light clothings.
I hope you’re not confusing Vinasai with LaVinia.
Lavinia will be coming to HCMC in April, confirmed.
(Back) packing very light & will buy nice clothes when there.
Checking out accommodation in Bu Vien/Pham Ngu Lau area. Thanks for info.
Vietnam 720 rocks!
Hehe, thank you Vin for that kind compliment
No, not mixing anyone up.
I know u are not a big fan of shopping. But for clothings, Saigon Square (i have it covered here) comes highly recommended.
This website is amazing! Thanks so much for all your posts. I’m visiting Vietnam in May and this is VERY helpful.
Thank you Paz. Do note that May is generally the start of the raining season in Vietnam. But don’t let the weather be a stumbling block
I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to get lucky with the weather. I’ll be in Vietnam from May 6th to May 17th. I hope the rainy season starts late this year
Yeah, it started late last year. If I’m not wrong, it came very late May. Hopefully it’ll work out for you
You gonna do the whole of Vietnam with 11 days?
I will visiting Vietnam in June. I find this website is very helpful. Thank you so much..
Thank you Cee. Have fun in Vietnam
WOW… looks … very… yellow…
How on earth did you stumble across this place? I will have to bookmark this spot for next visit. Hopefully soon!
If you are ever in Melbourne, let me know and I shall take you to what I think is the best Pho in town (besides the home cooked stuff that is!).
Thanks for the offer Mellies
have you made a story about the war surplus market? i hope you can take pictures there too. thanks
Will take note Mervin
Tried Pho Bo you recommended, I think its one of the best, not too sweet, just perfect. Lady owner is very happy when I told her that I found this place thur you.
Thanks to you too.
Wow, thanks Henery for the plug
Glad you like this pho place
Hey, would you know how early and how late she opens and closes? We’ll be in HCMC in early April. Our hotel is right by this Bui Vien!
Hi Kim, she opens in the evening from around 5pm and closes at around 11pm.
so tempting… I will try it.
Hi Vietnam720,
Just wonder you ever visited “the lunch lady” in HCMC as many people blogging about. Probably you did but I just couldn’t find the link. Was it good? They also said “Pho Hoa Pasteur” was pretty good, too. Did you try? I guess everybody has a different opion when come to the Pho.
Thank you
Hi Johny,
Thank you for checking out Vietnam720 and dropping a note here. Appreciate this.
Done the ‘Lunch Lady’. Actually better known as ‘Noodle Lady’ as she serves different type of noodles everyday. She’s good. Hear about Pho Hoa but yet to try.
Hello!I love your website! It is very informative, and the how-to info are just superb and easy to follow!
Im going to Vietnam this June (next month!!) and I will try to read everything here as much as I can!
Btw, do you have more info about hala food since I’m going to travel with a Muslim friend. Thank you =)))
Yani
Brunei
Awesome! I am always looking for new pho spots to try
Love the arrows -very helpful.
Thanks Angela for the compliment and for dropping a note here
Tell them Ben from Singapore send you there!
Thank you Yani for your endorsement. This is very much appreciated, really
Go to the back of the Saigon Mosque. They have a Halal food restaurant there
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