Recently, Benjimin Maguire, a content creator and artist from London, shared his first encounter with Vietnamese coffee on social media. His post quickly went viral, receiving nearly 100,000 interactions.

Ben had always been curious about just how strong Vietnamese iced black coffee was, so he decided to give it a try.

His first sip was enjoyable, but by the second, he felt as if his soul had left his body. By the third, he joked that he could “see through time.”

"In just 10 short minutes, I even considered learning Vietnamese and starting a coffee business," Ben wrote about his first experience with Vietnamese coffee.

During his recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Ben had the chance to sample various coffee styles, including Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk and the famous egg coffee.

"That first sip felt like a lightning strike, but I couldn’t give it up. Coffee is now my lifeline. It still makes me jittery, but it’s worth it," he admitted.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s legendary coffee spots

While in Ho Chi Minh City, Ben discovered the iconic nine-story apartment building in District 1, known for its coffee shops. The building, over 60 years old, offers visitors the option of taking an elevator for a small fee or climbing the stairs for free.

Challenging himself, Ben took the stairs and stopped at a café on the fourth floor.

"I ordered an egg coffee and sat on the balcony, sipping my drink like a philosopher addicted to coffee. In that moment, I felt like I had unlocked a new level in a video game," he joked.

Ben's decision to visit Ho Chi Minh City was inspired by numerous Instagram posts showcasing Vietnamese banh mi. He was eager to explore Vietnam’s vibrant food culture firsthand.

“I also tried northern-style pho in Ho Chi Minh City. The broth was flavorful, the noodles smooth, and the beef so tender that I felt like declaring my love to the chef for making such an incredible dish,” he said with a laugh.

During his stay, Ben explored major city attractions, including Bui Vien Walking Street, the Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, and Ben Thanh Market.

He described Bui Vien as a "mini Las Vegas" and Ben Thanh Market as a "wonderland."

"When I wandered through the market, vendors kept calling out 'Tay, Tay' (foreigner, foreigner). I didn’t understand what they were saying, but it was like a hypnotic spell. Before I knew it, I walked out with two scarves and a suspiciously decorative frog," he joked.

However, he also felt victorious for finding unique souvenirs and expressed genuine respect for the market vendors.

Beyond food and shopping, Ben visited historical and spiritual sites such as the National Cultural and Historical Park in Long Binh Ward, District 9, and Phap Hoa Pagoda in District 3. He even took a cooking class to learn how to make Vietnamese dishes.

Despite spending a good amount of time in the city, Ben admitted he had yet to master one essential skill—crossing the street in Vietnam’s chaotic traffic.

"My stay in Ho Chi Minh City was long enough to fall in love with pho and bun bo Hue, but not long enough to feel confident crossing the road," he said.

Even with a packed itinerary, he cherished simple moments, like sitting on a tiny plastic stool at a sidewalk beer stand, clinking glasses with locals while shouting “Mot, hai, ba, dzo!” (One, two, three, cheers!).

“I also rode the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 and missed my stop because I was too mesmerized by the view,” Ben laughed.

Thao Trinh