'Everyone travels to the obvious cities, but this one is the best-kept secret.'

Growing up in Singapore, I've long been familiar with the appeal of Southeast Asian hotspots for a snappy action-packed getaway.

So when the girls' group chat landed on a city renowned as The Paris Of The East… I knew I was in for the perfect balance of sightseeing, cafe culture, and watering holes.

We rolled into Ho Chi Minh, in southern Vietnam, after a relaxing few beach days off the beaten track in the coastal town of Mui Ne.

We were fresh off a four-hour drive and beyond ready for a cocktail.

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After quickly checking into our accommodation, Vika Homestay, smack bang in the hustle and bustle of district 1, we hit the streets.

First up? A classy drink at House of Barbaard Cocktail Bar & Club. While I wouldn't say this bar is the typical having-a-drink-on-the-streets-of-Vietnam experience, it's the perfect venue to ease you in. Plus, there's aircon, an invention you'll come to love after days slogging it out in the Vietnam heat.

The vibe is classy, so if you have a nice dress in your bag you haven't had a chance to chuck on yet, this is your chance to pull that bad boy out. 

Next up on the crawl? Something a little harder to find. We made our way to Lost & Found, a Saigon cocktail bar inspired by the early colonial days of the city.

This dimly-lit hidden gem is set down a quiet alleyway. You have to go up a somewhat dodgy-looking staircase to get there, but it's well worth it when you get your hands on that first icy mojito, or Saigon beer, if that's your drink of choice.

Monisha outside of Lost& Found and her and her friend inside. Image: Supplied.

A couple of drinks in, it was time for food. Now this might seem like a rogue choice, and I promise the banh mi recommendation is coming. But Ho Chi Minh is a hotspot for far more than just Vietnamese cuisine.

Believe it or not, I had arguably one of the top chicken biryanis of my life, at a cosy little Indian restaurant we stumbled upon, called Mustard.

Post dinner, it was time for a night cap, and we soon stumbled across the cutest little bar called Another Drink Saigon. The experience was completed by a huge stuffed duck toy, seated at our table. Best not to ask questions.

Monisha and a large stuffed duck toy. Image: Supplied.

Bright and early the next day we boarded a bus filled with sleepy-eyed tourists for a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, to explore the vast underground network used during the Vietnam War.

Our guide showed us examples of the traps set for soldiers during the war, and told stories about guerilla life.

Here, there was the chance to crawl through a section of the tunnels. Fair warning, absolutely don't do this if you're claustrophobic. The section of tunnel is about a metre high, and extremely narrow. Let's just say some of us didn't last more than a measly 20 metres before having to tap out.

Monisha walking into a small tunnel. Image: Supplied.

If you so desire, there's also the option to test your aim at the onsite shooting range. You'll even get to wear these super-cool-chic-fashionable headphones if you don't want your eardrums to burst.

It's a big day out, but one of the must-do touristy things in Ho Chi Minh. Just be prepared to travel up to four hours each way, because the city traffic is next level.

When we returned, it was time for a slap-up Vietnamese meal, and after combing through the best ranked spots in the area, we found a gold mine, Hanoi Corner.

Here, I had my favourite meal of the entire trip: Ha Noi style bún chả.

Vietnamese cuisine. Image: Supplied.

Essentially a bowl of smokey grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, served with fresh lettuce and herbs. You wrap it all up into a bundle, then dunk the concoction into a light sweet-sour dipping broth before eating.

Fun fact, it's also the exact dish Anthony Bourdain ate with Obama in Hanoi, during a presidential visit.

The night was still young, so my travel companions and I ventured out to a speakeasy bar, marked by a hidden entrance that resembles an ATM. While the prices were a little high by Vietnamese standards, it's worth a visit for the cool concept, chic vibes and extensive drinks list that seemed to feature every cocktail known to mankind.

Image: Supplied.

The next day was our last full day in Vietnam, and also coincided with New Year's Eve.

First up, we took a trip to an iconic Ho Chi Minh landmark: The Café Apartments. A converted apartment building that's been repurposed into a nine-story hub of cafés, bars and boutique stores. 

Apartment cafes. Image: Supplied.

There's an elevator you can use for a small fee, or take the stairs and reward yourself with a fresh fruit juice and a mouthwatering banh mi at Madam Quyên, like we did.

Next on the list was a viral koi fish café, put on our radar by the likes of TikTok. It's called Oasis, and if you brave the line you can sit immersed among the koi while you sip on coffee, tea, or in my case, the best blueberry smoothie I've ever had in my life.

Monisha and friend in front of koi pond. Image: Supplied.

It was then time to end things off with a bang. Quite literally, because the New Year's Eve fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City are out of this world.

We watched them from Banana Mama, a spot I'd recommend for a sunset drink any time of year, for panoramic views, good music, and a vibe that feels pretty much like a beach club, if not for the fact you're ten floors above ground.

Monisha on a moped. Image: Supplied.

After a speedy ride home on the back of a moped, our girls' trip came to a close. We stumbled onto the plane the next morning with slightly sore heads and a hankering to head back to the city of motorbikes, lantern-lit streets and incredible eats.

Feature image: Supplied.