From Mum's Recipe
to Tasmania's Table
Authentic Vietnamese food, made fresh every day — bringing the real flavours of home to every corner of Tasmania.
Dr. Tien Ho — Founder
Dr. Tien Ho came to Tasmania as a student and fell in love with the island. But one thing was missing — the food he grew up with. So in June 2016, he opened the first Saigon Express at 335 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, on his own, with one simple idea:
"From mum's cooking recipe to every Tasmanian table."
Every dish is made fresh using quality Tasmanian produce — local vegetables, Tasmanian-grown herbs, and clean Tasmanian water. The food is honest, healthy, and true to the flavours he grew up eating at home in Vietnam.
Ten years on, Saigon Express has grown to eight locations across Tasmania. The mission has never changed — bring real Vietnamese food to the community, celebrate Vietnamese culture, and show what a Vietnamese-Australian business can achieve.
A Decade of Growth — 2016 to 2026
Select any milestone to explore the full story behind each chapter of Saigon Express.
Where It All Began
North Hobart — 335 Elizabeth Street
Dr. Tien Ho opened the very first Saigon Express in June 2016 with just two staff and a single-minded passion: to bring genuine Vietnamese street food to Tasmania. Inspired by his mother's home cooking recipes, he set out to bring those authentic flavours — fresh, healthy, and Vietnamese — to every Tasmanian table.
Starting from a modest shopfront at 335 Elizabeth Street, Dr. Tien Ho invested everything into a dream that many considered a long shot. Tasmania had virtually no Vietnamese restaurant scene at the time. Within months, word spread — the pho was the real thing, the banh mi were freshly baked, and the welcome was genuine. The tagline said it all: 'Fresh, healthy, Vietnamese — from mum's cooking recipe to your table.' That first store became the foundation of everything that followed.
Vietnamese Cuisine & Its Story
Vietnamese cooking is defined by balance — between fresh and cooked, light and rich, familiar and surprising. Each dish carries centuries of history, geography, and culture.
Phở
Vietnam's most iconic dish — a slow-simmered bone broth fragrant with star anise, cinnamon, and charred ginger, served with rice noodles and your choice of protein.
Bánh Mì
A legacy of French colonial influence — a crisp baguette filled with Vietnamese-style meats, pickled daikon, fresh coriander, and chilli.
Cuốn (Rice Paper Rolls)
Delicate rice paper wrapped around fresh herbs, vermicelli, and your choice of filling — a hands-on taste of Vietnamese tradition.
Bún (Vermicelli Salad)
Cool rice vermicelli topped with grilled meats, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and a tangy nước chấm dressing — light, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
"Vietnamese people can still find the 'essence' of home, while international guests feel a harmonious and accessible experience."
— VietnamPlus / SBS, February 2026
Saigon Express was featured by SBS Australia and VietnamPlus (Vietnam's national news agency) in February 2026 as a landmark story of Vietnamese entrepreneurship in Australia — proof that authentic Vietnamese cuisine has earned its place alongside Japanese, Korean, and Thai food in the everyday dining culture of Tasmania.
2016 – 2026: A Decade of Flavour
From a two-person kitchen in North Hobart to eight locations across Tasmania — this year marks ten years of bringing mum's recipes to your table. "Nay là được 10 năm đó em — mình có thể celebrate năm nay."
More Than a Restaurant
Saigon Express has always been as much about people as it is about food. The Vietnamese community in Hobart is small but tightly bonded, and the brand has become a gathering place — hosting Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations that draw hundreds of participants, and Lunar New Year dinners for those who cannot travel home.
The team reflects this multicultural spirit — Vietnamese international students work alongside colleagues from Bangladesh, India, and across Australia, creating a kitchen as diverse as the dishes it produces.
Tasmania, with its cool climate and unhurried pace, has become a true home for many of the team — a place that, in its own quiet way, echoes the highland landscapes of northern Vietnam.
"Mang hương vị ẩm thực Việt đích thực đến gần hơn với cộng đồng, lan tỏa văn hóa ẩm thực quê hương và khẳng định tinh thần khởi nghiệp của người Việt xa xứ."
To bring authentic Vietnamese cuisine closer to the community, spread the food culture of the homeland, and affirm the entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnamese people living abroad.
Our Values
Fresh Every Day
Every dish is prepared from scratch each morning. No frozen shortcuts — just ingredients sourced fresh and cooked to order.
Rooted in Culture
Our recipes carry the flavours of Vietnamese home kitchens and street stalls. From slow-simmered pho broth to hand-rolled rice paper rolls, every dish tells a story.
Community First
We host Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, Lunar New Year dinners, and community events because food is the most powerful bridge between cultures.
Accessible Authenticity
Vietnamese food should be for everyone. We balance the 'essence of home' for Vietnamese diners with a welcoming experience for all Tasmanians.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
From two staff in a North Hobart kitchen to eight locations across the island — our growth is proof that passion and community trust build something lasting.
Proudly Tasmanian
Tasmania's cool climate and close-knit communities remind many of our team of home. We are proud to be part of this island's food story.
Come Experience the Story
Eight locations across Tasmania. Dine in, take away, or order for pickup — the flavours of Vietnam are closer than you think.