Westerners sell grilled hotdogs on Saigon city streets

Klaus Rutt, 46 from Germany, is one of the first Westerners selling hotdogs in HCM City (also known as Saigon). He said he wants to introduce his family’s traditional hotdogs to Vietnam.

“I was born in Darmstadt, Germany. Before travelling to Vietnam, I was an engineer in the field of environmental waste treatment. I am eager to introduce the taste of real German hotdogs to Vietnamese people,” he shared.

Klaus sells many kinds of hotdogs, with pork and beef heavily favoured by most Vietnamese customers. The prices hover around VND35,000/stick (less than US$1.5).

His mini truck is available daily on Phan Xich Long Street in HCM City’s Phu Nhuan District where he provides German-style hotdogs.

Although Klaus has opened a restaurant on Truong Sa Street, he maintains his street vending hotdog business thanks to plenty of customers. 

On Saigon streets, many foreigners earn high profits from selling hotdogs. Dieter, a German, says he sells 200-300 hotdogs daily which he sells with Vietnamese breads.

Dieter sells hotdogs off a motorbike at a lower price (VND25.000/stick).

Alex, an owner of German hotdog restaurant in Phan Dinh Phung street in Phu Nhuan District, also cooks hotdogs by himself to serve customers.

Many foreign visitors to HCM City often go to Alex’s restaurant to enjoy German traditional food.

Detlev, a hotdog seller on Dinh Tien Hoang Street in District 1, advertises his product in Vietnamese while serving hotdogs for pass-by customers. Detlev’s humour and hospitality are appreciated by local buyers.

Notably, an American owner of a restaurant in Vo Van Kiet Street in Tan Binh District, leaves deep impressions on Saigon residents and visitors by making 30-cm high hotdogs priced at VND250,000 each (more than US$10).

Some photos of Westerners selling hotdogs on Saigon pavements: