Ben Thanh Ward has the most expensive sidewalk noodles in Ho Chi Minh City. The US president stopped by to enjoy Pho 2000.

Visiting the new Ben Thanh ward, diners do not have to worry about lacking delicious food because this place has countless famous restaurants such as the 'most expensive' grilled pork vermicelli in Ho Chi Minh City, Pho 2000, which was once visited by the US president...

The new Ben Thanh Ward was established on the basis of merging Ben Thanh Ward, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, and part of the area of ​​Cau Ong Lanh Ward and Nguyen Thai Binh Ward of the old District 1.

Ben Thanh Ward - " culinary center" of Ho Chi Minh City

After the merger, Ben Thanh ward became the "multi-functional center" of Ho Chi Minh City when it converged Ben Thanh market, Bui Vien Western street and modern metro station. Culturally, the ward is also considered the "culinary center" of Ho Chi Minh City with countless famous restaurants. Let's find delicious restaurants in Ben Thanh ward!

Ben Thanh market food court, in Ben Thanh ward, crowded with domestic and international tourists in late June 2025

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

In the new Ben Thanh ward, diners can hardly ignore a popular eatery known as the "most expensive" grilled pork noodle shop in Ho Chi Minh City. The shop is located on Nguyen Trung Truc street and has been opened by Vo Thi Thu Van (54 years old) and her husband for nearly 30 years.

Famous as it is, Mrs. Van's family's noodle shop is not only visited by locals but also attracts a large number of tourists and overseas Vietnamese. Mrs. Thu Van confided that this noodle shop was opened 25 years ago, when she and her husband "wet behind the ears" from Ben Tre to Ho Chi Minh City to start a business.

At that time, she sold noodles, her husband, Mr. Quoc Anh, did all kinds of jobs such as goldsmith, motorbike taxi driver... to earn money to support life and raise children. When the shop first opened, there were few customers so the couple had a hard time.

Mrs. Thu Van's famous grilled pork noodle dish

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

Gradually, with the special flavor of grilled pork noodles and the unique secret, the good reputation spread far and wide, the restaurant was supported by more and more customers and created the reputation as today. Currently, each full bowl of noodles at the restaurant costs 70,000 VND, which is a bit higher than the average price of ordinary restaurants.

The grilled pork vermicelli dish here has pickled shallots added. This special ingredient is combined with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made according to Mrs. Van's own recipe. Pouring the dipping sauce and pickled shallots into a bowl of vermicelli filled with grilled meat and spring rolls, served with bean sprouts, pickles, peanuts, scallion oil, etc. is a "perfect" combination according to many diners.

Pho 2000 where the US president stopped to enjoy

On the wall of Pho 2000 restaurant on Le Thanh Ton street, there are always pictures of VIP guests who have come to eat there, such as former US President Bill Clinton, former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi...

That is the famous restaurant of Mr. Alain Tan's family (Huynh Trung Tan). Accordingly, in November 2000, the pho restaurant at 1-3 Phan Chu Trinh was unexpectedly visited by US President Bill Clinton to enjoy and highly praise.

The famous Pho 2000 was visited by the US President

PHOTO: NVCC

"Since Pho 2000 opened near the North Gate of Ben Thanh Market, an American friend who works at the consulate has been coming here to eat almost every week. One day, this friend asked to meet me. When I asked why, this friend said: "I like your pho restaurant, I've eaten here many times, my staff also come here to eat often. I have a few American friends, they are very careful, especially about food hygiene and safety, and I want to bring them here to eat.

If you allow me, before I bring them here, I will ask someone to come to the restaurant to take samples for testing. Is that okay?". Hearing this friend say that, I felt comfortable and normal, saying if you want to test, then just test", Mr. Alain Tan recalled the special opportunity that led to the US President coming to eat here.

After that, because he was busy opening a restaurant in the US, and his son was about to enter university there, Mr. Alain Tan and his wife returned to the land of the free for a while.

At this time, US President Bill Clinton unexpectedly visited Pho 2000, when the restaurant only had his mother-in-law and staff. Luckily, everything went smoothly because the restaurant was well organized by the owners, operating well even without them.

Pho 2000 Restaurant welcomes many famous politicians

PHOTO: NVCC

Pho is a favorite dish of many diners.

PHOTO: CAO AN BIEN

After that visit, Pho 2000, which was already famous in Ho Chi Minh City, became even more famous. Although it was opened in 1999, the restaurant was named Pho 2000 because the owner wanted his restaurant to have a special mark as humanity was about to enter a new century.

Next to Pho 2000 is the famous Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City. There is a unique food court here that attracts many diners from near and far to eat with a variety of choices, especially in traditional Vietnamese dishes. In addition, Ben Thanh ward also has a nearly half-century old vermicelli soup stall located next to the famous Ben Thanh market...

In the new Ben Thanh ward, do you have any favorite restaurants? Please share with Thanh Nien Newspaper in the comment section below.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phuong-ben-thanh-co-bun-via-he-mac-nhat-tphcm-pho-2000-tong-thong-my-ghe-thuong-thuc-185250630090433557.htm