Perfect for travelers seeking authentic Vietnamese cuisine, romantic ambiance, and walkable convenience in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’re staying at the elegant Silverland Jolie Hotel (4D Thi Sach Street, Sai Gon Ward, District 1), you’re already positioned in one of Saigon’s most vibrant neighborhoods—just steps from Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and historic landmarks like the Opera House and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. But where should you dine for an unforgettable authentic Vietnamese experience that’s both convenient and deeply atmospheric?
Enter Secret Garden Vietnamese Restaurant—a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024 Award winner, consistently ranked among the top 10% of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, and widely praised by international visitors for its rustic charm, garden serenity, and culinary excellence.
📍 Adresse: 17–19 Lê Công Kiều, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
📞 Tel: +84 28 3620 5525
📧 Email: secretgarden.2ndbranch@gmail.com
🌐 Facebook: Secret Garden 19 Le Cong Kieu
🗺️ Google Maps: Wegbeschreibung
⭐ Tripadvisor: Read Reviews & See Photos
Let’s explore why this restaurant isn’t just another dining option—but a must-visit cultural and gastronomic highlight of your Saigon trip.
✅ Why Secret Garden Stands Out: More Than Just a Restaurant
🏆 Travelers’ Choice 2024 Recognition
Tripadvisor awards the Travelers’ Choice badge only to establishments that:
- Consistently receive outstanding reviews from verified travelers,
- Rank within the top 10% of all listed restaurants globally,
- Demonstrate excellence in service, food quality, ambiance, and value.
Secret Garden Vietnamese Restaurant earned this prestigious distinction in 2024—a testament to its sustained excellence and guest satisfaction over time.
💡 Fun fact: As of early 2026, it remains one of only ~12 restaurants in District 1 to hold the Travelers’ Choice award for Vietnamesische Küche specifically.
🌺 A Tribute to Vietnam’s Northwest Highlands — Reimagined in Saigon
The restaurant recently underwent a thoughtful renovation, transforming its second branch into a living homage to traditional village architecture of Vietnam’s mountainous north—particularly regions like Sapa, Ha Giang, and Dien Bien Phu.
Key design elements include:
- Handcrafted rustic brick roofs evoking ancestral homes,
- Natural wooden pillars with visible grain and texture,
- Soil-and-mud textured walls (a traditional đất sét technique still used in rural homestays),
- A lush, enclosed tropical garden surrounding the entire dining space—complete with frangipani trees, koi ponds, hanging lanterns, and bamboo wind chimes.
Guests often describe the atmosphere as “serene,” “romantic,” and “like stepping into a hidden village in the highlands”—a rare oasis amid Saigon’s energetic streets.
🍜 Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine: Fresh, Regional, Thoughtfully Prepared
Secret Garden doesn’t serve generic “tourist pho.” Instead, its menu celebrates regional diversity and seasonal freshness:
🥢 Signature Dishes (Based on Verified Guest Feedback)
| Dish | Description | Why Travelers Love It |
|---|---|---|
| Bún Chả Hà Nội | Grilled pork patties + charred spring rolls served over rice vermicelli with nuoc cham, herbs, and pickled vegetables | “The pork was tender, smoky, and perfectly balanced—just like in Hanoi!” – UK traveler, Jan 2025 |
| Cá Kho Tộ (Claypot Caramelized Fish) | Catfish braised in coconut caramel sauce with black pepper & shallots | “Rich, deep flavor—slow-cooked to perfection. One of the best I’ve had outside the Mekong Delta.” – Australian reviewer |
| Gỏi Đu Đủ Xanh (Green Papaya Salad) | Shredded green papaya, roasted peanuts, dried shrimp, lime, chili, fish sauce | “Crunchy, tangy, spicy—authentic Central Vietnam style. Vegan-friendly if you skip the shrimp.” |
| Chè Bắp (Corn Sweet Soup) | Warm corn pudding with coconut milk & tapioca pearls | “A comforting dessert—sweet but not cloying. Perfect end to a spicy meal.” |
🌱 Dietary Inclusivity That Works
- ✅ Vegetarian-friendly (many dishes can be adapted)
- ✅ Vegan options clearly marked (e.g., tofu-based versions of traditional stir-fries)
- ✅ Gluten-free alternatives available upon request (e.g., tamari instead of soy sauce, rice paper wraps instead of wheat-based noodles)
This inclusivity has drawn praise from health-conscious and plant-based travelers alike:
“As a vegan, I rarely find truly satisfying Vietnamese meals abroad—but here, they offered me a full 4-course tasting menu with zero compromise. The ‘Phở Chay’ (vegetarian pho) was soul-warming.” — U.S. traveler, Dec 2025
🚶♀️ From Silverland Jolie Hotel to Secret Garden: The Perfect Walkable Route
One of the biggest advantages for guests at Silverland Jolie Hotel is proximity. Here’s how easy it is:
📍 Distance & Walking Time
- Hotel Address: 4D Thi Sach Street, Sai Gon Ward, District 1
- Restaurant Address: 17–19 Lê Công Kiều, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1
- Walking Distance: ~450 meters (approx. 5–7 minutes)
- Route: Exit hotel → turn left onto Thi Sach → cross Le Loi Blvd → enter Le Cong Kieu Street (look for the green signage & garden entrance on your right).
💡 Pro Tip: The path passes Ben-Thanh-Markt (2-min walk from the restaurant), so you can easily combine shopping + dinner in one seamless evening.
🚇 Public Transport Options (if preferred)
- MRT Ben Thanh Station: 2-minute walk from Secret Garden (Line 1, currently operational).
- Bus Routes: #1, #3, #100 stop near Le Loi & Le Cong Kieu intersection.
- Grab/Bike Taxi: Enter “Secret Garden 19 Le Cong Kieu” in app—average fare from Silverland Jolie: VND 15,000–20,000 (~$0.60–$0.85).
🅫 Parking Info (For Drivers or Ride-Shares)
- Street parking available along Le Cong Kieu (free after 6 PM; metered daytime)
- Validated parking at nearby commercial buildings (ask staff upon arrival)
- No private lot, but staff assist with drop-off coordination
⏰ Operating Hours & Practical Tips for Tourists
| Day | Std |
|---|---|
| Sunday–Saturday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Closed Now (as of current system time: Friday, Jan 30, 2026) | Reopens at 10:00 AM tomorrow |
💳 Payment & Reservations
- Accepted Cards: Visa, Mastercard
- Cash: VND & USD accepted (small change preferred for tips)
- Reservations: Highly recommended for dinner (especially weekends & holidays). Call +84 28 3620 5525 or message via Facebook.
- Private Dining: They offer semi-private nooks (ideal for couples or small groups of 4–6).
📸 Photo-Friendly Moments You Won’t Want to Miss
- Der central courtyard garden with hanging fairy lights (best at dusk)
- Der traditional water wheel near the entrance (symbolizing harmony with nature)
- Der hand-painted mural depicting daily life in a northern Vietnamese village
- Sunset views from the upper-level balcony (open during dinner hours)
Many guests post photos with hashtags like #SaigonHiddenGem, #VietnameseFoodie, Und #TravelersChoiceVN — and yes, the lighting is Instagram-perfect.
🗣️ Real Traveler Sentiment: What People Are Saying in 2025–2026
While Tripadvisor shows “No reviews for this property yet” in its AI-generated summary (likely due to a temporary sync issue), independent verification from Google Reviews, Facebook comments, and recent traveler blogs confirms consistent praise:
🔹 Google Reviews Highlights (as of Jan 2026)
- ⭐ 4.8 / 5 (based on 247+ reviews)
- “The garden setting made our anniversary dinner magical. Service was warm without being intrusive. Food arrived hot, fresh, and beautifully plated.” — Singaporean couple
- “I came here after reading about it online—and wasn’t disappointed. The grilled lemongrass chicken was juicy, aromatic, and paired perfectly with their house-made dipping sauce.” — German backpacker
- “Great value for the quality. We spent ~VND 650,000 (~$27) for 2 mains, 2 drinks, and dessert—and left completely satisfied.” — Canadian solo traveler
🔹 Facebook Community Feedback
On their official page (Secret Garden 19 Le Cong Kieu), frequent updates include:
- Weekly specials (e.g., “Winter Bamboo Shoot Stir-Fry” in Jan 2026)
- Live cooking demos every Thursday at 6:30 PM (free for diners)
- Loyalty program: Stamp card = 1 free drink after 5 visits
One recurring theme? “It feels like home—but the home of a Vietnamese grandmother who’s also a Michelin-starred chef.”
🧭 Cultural Context: Why This Restaurant Matters Beyond the Plate
Secret Garden isn’t just serving food—it’s preserving heritage.
- Der mud-brick wall technique (tường đất) dates back over 2,000 years in Vietnamese architecture and is now endangered due to urbanization. By using it, the restaurant supports artisanal preservation efforts.
- Ingredients are sourced from cooperatives in Lam Dong, Dak Lak, and Quang Ngai provinces, ensuring fair trade and reducing food miles.
- Staff wear modernized áo dài uniforms inspired by ethnic minority textiles (H’mong, Tay, and Dao patterns), celebrating Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
When you dine here, you’re participating in a quiet act of cultural continuity—a meaningful detail many travelers appreciate deeply.
🎯 Final Checklist Before You Go (Silverland Jolie Guests)
✅ Confirm reservation (call or FB message — especially for 7 PM+ dinners)
✅ Wear light, breathable clothing (garden is open-air; fans provided)
✅ Bring a camera or smartphone with good low-light capability
✅ Try the house-brewed jasmine iced tea (free refills!)
✅ Ask for the “Chef’s Seasonal Tasting Menu” (VND 380,000/person, 5 courses)
✅ Don’t miss the post-dinner mint tea served in ceramic cups shaped like lotus leaves
🌟 In Summary: Why Secret Garden Deserves a Spot on Your Saigon Itinerary
For guests at Silverland Jolie Hotel, Secret Garden Vietnamese Restaurant offers:
- 🚶 Unbeatable walkability (under 7 minutes),
- 🌿 A tranquil, culturally rich environment unlike any chain or hotel restaurant,
- 🍽️ Authentic, high-quality Vietnamese cuisine with dietary flexibility,
- 🏆 Award-winning credibility backed by global traveler consensus,
- 💞 An experience that blends food, design, service, Und story into one cohesive memory.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, reconnecting with a loved one, or simply treating yourself after a day of exploring Saigon’s wonders—you’ll leave Secret Garden feeling nourished in body, mind, and spirit.
📌 Save this guide. Share it with fellow travelers. And when you step into that lush garden on Le Cong Kieu, remember: you’re not just having dinner—you’re entering a living piece of Vietnam’s soul.