As the summer heat takes over, summer coolers in Ho Chi Minh City are a delicious way to beat the heat and experience Saigon’s vibrant food culture. As you wander through the bustling markets, relax at a cafe or grab a quick drink from a street vendor, every sip will help you escape the heat and feel the vibrant energy of Saigon. So, get ready to beat the heat and treat yourself to the coolest, most delicious drinks this city has to offer!
Summer weather in Ho Chi Minh City
Summer weather in Ho Chi Minh City is intense. Temperatures range from 30-35°C (86-95°F) and the high humidity can make you feel like you’re in a sauna. The sun is also quite harsh, especially in the midday and afternoon when the streets are shimmering with heat, even in the shade. For locals and visitors alike, finding a way to cool off becomes a daily task.
But in Saigon, the heat is not just a challenge, it’s part of the city’s rhythm. The bustling energy of motorbikes, street vendors and bustling markets continues unabated, and with it comes a thriving cooling drink culture. From street corners to modern cafes, the city offers a wide variety of drinks that not only quench thirst but also bring a sense of calm and comfort to those enduring the heat. Whether it’s a fresh coconut or a glass of Vietnamese iced coffee, these drinks are not only refreshing but also little moments of joy that make the tropical summer a little more bearable.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds as we dive into the vibrant world of Saigon street food, featuring 10+ must-try dishes that capture the heart and soul of Ho Chi Minh City.
The summer weather in Saigon is really intense
The drinking culture in Ho Chi Minh City
Drinks play an important role in the lives of Saigonese. The city’s streets are filled with street vendors selling refreshing drinks, from simple stalls selling coconut water and ginseng tea to coffee carts selling coffee and juices. These places are not only refreshment centers but also social spaces where locals and tourists can relax and connect with each other through a shared love of delicious drinks.
Drinks come in a variety of varieties, from traditional drinks like sugarcane juice and juice to modern drinks like milk tea to satisfy every taste and palate. You can enjoy refreshing drinks in many different places, contributing to the charm of the experience. Street vendors bring an authentic, fast-paced feel, while cozy cafes provide a more relaxing environment to escape the midday heat. For those looking for a more upscale experience, rooftop bars and modern cafes offer stunning views of the city skyline alongside expertly mixed drinks. Each space reflects Saigon’s dynamic character, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s culture while enjoying a refreshing bite.
Discover the heart of Vietnam with our Ho Chi Minh City tours, where rich history, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences await at every turn.
Saigon coffee culture through years
Top 9 summer coolers of Ho Chi Minh City
Sugar cane juice
Sugarcane juice is one of the familiar drinks on the sidewalks of Saigon. Squeezed from fresh sugarcane by a mechanical press, this drink has a natural, light and hydrating sweetness. To enhance the flavor, vendors often add a few kumquats to balance the tangy taste of sugarcane. Besides traditional sugarcane juice, people also create many types of sugarcane juice combined with fruits, creating unique flavors such as strawberry sugarcane juice, orange sugarcane juice, coconut sugarcane juice…
Sugarcane juice
Ginseng water
This is the most popular drink on hot days in the city. Ginseng water is made from leaves and roots such as sugarcane, corn silk, parasol tree roots, longan, …, along with rock sugar. Thanks to that, the dish has a natural, cool, and pleasant sweet taste. It is believed that ginseng water helps balance the body’s internal heat, cooling down the heat of Saigon. For the convenience of customers, this drink will be bottled or sold by the glass if customers eat on the spot. Customers often park in front of the store, quickly drink a glass of water, and then continue walking, creating an interesting culinary space.
Ginseng water
Kumquat tea
This is a sidewalk drink that balances sweet and sour. It is made from kumquat juice mixed with green tea, ice and sugar or honey, bringing a refreshing feeling to visitors. Many vendors also add slices of kumquat to the drink, enhancing its visual appeal and flavor. These cool kumquat teas are cheap, convenient, and quickly cool, making them the top choice to stay cool as you wander through the bustling streets.
Kumquat tea
Coconut juice
Coconut water is a naturally sweet and refreshing drink, not only delicious but also contains many health benefits, helping to prevent aging. In Saigon, fresh coconuts are sold in many coffee shops. Sometimes, coconuts are also sold by many fruit vendors pushing carts everywhere. The vendors often serve directly from a young coconut, then add a little ice to make it cooler. After drinking the juice, don’t forget to scoop out the tender coconut flesh for a light snack.
Coconut kumquat juice is the most popular version in Saigon
Smoothies
Smoothies are always a favorite drink of many people in the summer. Besides cooling, it also brings many health benefits, helps keep fit, and beautifies the skin. Smoothies are made from crushed ice, condensed milk or yogurt blended with fruits of your choice such as mango, avocado, orange, pineapple, … Their creamy texture and sweet taste make them a favorite among locals and travelers alike. In Saigon, smoothie shops are everywhere, on the streets, in markets, and even in restaurants and cafes.
a smoothie stand in Ho Chi Minh City
Iced coffee
Iced coffee is a true Saigon classic and a must-try for coffee lovers. Made from dark roasted Vietnamese coffee, brewed through a metal filter, then blended with condensed milk and poured over ice. The result is a rich, creamy and refreshing drink that will refresh you while cooling you down in the tropical heat. Whether enjoyed at a trendy cafe or from a small stool on the street, this iconic drink reflects Saigon’s deep coffee culture and brings comfort and refreshment in every sip.
Vietnamese iced coffee
Milk tea
Milk tea is an indispensable drink in the modern beverage culture of Ho Chi Minh City, very popular with locals and especially the young people. Milk tea is made from black tea leaves mixed with milk and adding toppings such as pearls, pudding and jelly. Besides the traditional taste, milk tea is also varied with many flavors such as taro, matcha, mango,… Popular milk tea chains and street vendors keep drinks chilled with plenty of ice, making it the perfect sweet, refreshing cooler to enjoy while exploring the city.
some popular milk tea chains in Saigon
Ice cream
In the heat of the day, there’s nothing quite like a scoop (or two) of ice cream. Ice cream comes in all sorts of flavors, from the classic ice cream, topped with peanuts and shredded coconut, to the modern gelato flavors served in cafes and luxury restaurants. Street vendors often sell ice cream sandwiches, where scoops are sandwiched between slices of bread for a fun twist. A popular version is creamy coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell, making for a visually appealing and delicious treat. The creative and flavorful ice cream offerings ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the summer sun.
coconut ice cream
Sweet soup
Talking about summer refreshments in Saigon without mentioning sweet soup is a mistake. Sweet soup in Saigon has many types such as grapefruit sweet soup, bean sweet soup, white jelly sweet soup… to Chinese sweet soup, Thai sweet soup… served with ice, sweet soup brings a sweet and refreshing taste. You can enjoy this dish at sweet soup stalls along the street, in the market or shops specializing in sweet soup.
a sweet soup stall over 40 years old
Summer coolers in Ho Chi Minh City are not only a way to beat the heat but also a small moment of fun in a city full of life and energy. As you explore the vibrant streets of Saigon, let these refreshing drinks be your companions, helping you feel energized and refreshed. So take a sip, enjoy the moment and enjoy the unique charm of Saigon.
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