Little did I know that when I booked my trip to Vietnam, it would end up becoming one of my favorite destinations among the 19 different countries I've traveled to around the world. As an American traveler, I was aware of the misconceptions surrounding Vietnam, perceptions often far from the reality I would soon discover. To my pleasant surprise, Vietnam welcomed me with its incredible food and stunning architecture throughout the city. I spent 8 wonderful days exploring Saigon with my best friend during our month-long break from teaching in Thailand.

Vietnam may be home to some of the best coffee in the world (a point of debate), but I couldn't resist having like 3 cups a day… Pho, Banh mi, Com tam, and Goi Cuon are dishes that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.