Services: Tuấn 686 (MOVED)

This business has moved.  You can find the new location information here.

Tuấn 686 (Tuan 686) is a business that specializes in haircuts and cell phone plans.  That seemed strange to me at first, although it works well--I go in every month to top up my phone account, and every two or three months I get a haircut while I am there.

Nobody speaks a word of English, but the woman who cuts hair does a good job with a generic professional-looking haircut.  I just walk in, sit quietly, and let her do what she thinks is best.  If you have special requests, I recommend you bring pictures and/or an interpreter.

Unlike many Vietnamese "haircut" establishments, this business is not a brothel.

Tuan 686 is not on any maps.  It is near the north end of Cách Mạng Tháng Tám street (CMT8), across the street from Mì Quảng Phố Hội An.

Google does not know this business, but it is across the street from the Mi Quang restaurant.

Soup: Mì Quảng Phố Hội An

Mì Quảng (mi quang) is a type of soup with wide rice noodles and turmeric.  It often comes with a big cracker.  You can usually order it with pork, shrimp, shrimp and eggs, or chicken parts.  I like mine with just eggs.

My custom soup.

"Mì Quảng Phố Hội An" translates to "mi quang in the style of Hoi An city."  My local friends tell me this restaurant is more traditional than mi quang restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.  The food is delicious, the quality is consistent, the staff are friendly, and the restaurant is cleaner than most.

The restaurant is open from 6:00 AM to about 9:30 PM and it is my favorite place in the city for breakfast.  They recently expanded to include more tables and frog meat.  (I have not tried the frog.)

Mi Quang Pho Hoi An is located at the northern end of Cách Mạng Tháng Tám (CMT8), on the East side of the street.

Restaurant Basics

There are a few general things to know about eating in Vietnam.  These are guidelines rather than firm rules, and the list will probably evolve over time.

• The busier a business is, the less likely you are to get food poisoning.  Food sells out before it has time to go bad.
• Don't be afraid of street food or cheap open storefronts.  My worst food experiences have been at "reputable" restaurants.  Bakeries in Vietnam are especially hazardous.
• Food poisoning is not the only food-related problem here.  Be aware, some things are just dirty.
• Some businesses have napkin dispensers, some do not.  Nearly all businesses will give you wrapped wet hand towels.  They are not free, even if they are on the table when you arrive.  They usually cost about 2,000 VND each.  I like to carry my own wet towels, the supermarkets sell them at about 9,000 VND for a pack of 20.
• Similarly, some businesses will place food items on your table without being asked.  You will most likely be charged for anything you take.  If in doubt, ask.  This is not dishonest in Vietnam, they are merely encouraging impulse buys.
• Most dishes come with a plate of vegetables.  Some have other sides, like crackers or a small bowl of soup.  If it comes with something you ordered, it should be included in the price.
• Iced tea -- trà đá (tra da) -- is usually free.  It is often quite good.  If in doubt, ask.  I would consider paying 2,000 VND for trà đá, but some places charge 10,000 VND, which is a bit insulting.
• A drink will often cost you more than a hot meal.  Snacks and desserts are even worse.
• I hear rumors that some businesses have higher prices on their English-language menu than they do on their Vietnamese-language menu.  I often check, and I have never seen it happen, but be aware it is possible.
• Eat with a spoon if the food is on a plate, eat with chopsticks if the food is in a bowl.  This is a loose rule--eating soup with a spoon or eating noodles (from a plate) with chopsticks is fine.
• Cover your mouth when you yawn or when you pick your teeth.
• Requests and substitutions, even when understood, are normally refused.  There are exceptions, and it doesn't hurt to ask.
• You usually need to ask for your bill because it is considered rude to bring someone their bill prematurely.
• There is a 10% sales tax called VAT on food.  Honest businesses include it in the menu price, some businesses print a warning on the menu, and less honest businesses leave it as a surprise for your final bill.  The really dishonest restaurants put an extra "tip" or "service charge" on your bill, even though one does not tip at Vietnamese restaurants.
• One does not tip at Vietnamese restaurants.

These are not free.

Rice on a plate: Use a spoon, not chopsticks.

First Post

The city at night, with a "drama" filter.

Thủ Dầu Một is a city in Bình Dương province, located just north of Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. Call it "Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong" if you don't want to use the Vietnamese alphabet.  Call it Bình Dương or even Ho Chi Minh City if you want anyone to find it without using Google--even in Vietnam, not many people have heard of this place.

"Thủ Dầu Một" is pronounced "two yow Moe" (rhymes with "blue cow show").
"Bình Dương" sounds like "bean you" plus an "ng" sound at the end.

Few non-Asians live in TDM, but it's a pleasant little town if you want to escape the chaos and clutter of the big city.  I teach English here, and I enjoy finding all that my current home has to offer.  This blog is meant to give some information about local attractions, especially food, so that anyone new in town can feel just a little less lost.

I will update this blog as my work schedule permits.

For now, in the spirit of helping, here is a link to another blog.  It describes the process for an American who needs to officially translate his documents to Vietnamese.  This blog helped me get a work permit much more easily than my colleagues did, and it was an inspiration for me to help my fellow travelers in my own way.

Authentication Chain:

http://saigonalive.blogspot.com/2010/09/step-3-documentation-before-you-leave.html