Even though often considered a dessert for a hot day, ice cream is actually delicious and pleasant to eat during any kind of weather. As it has been raining almost every day in Saigon, why not shelter from the heavy downpours in an ice cream parlor, savoring a chilly scoop and feeling the cold from both outside and inside? A favorite of young people’s favorite is Uncle Tam’s ice cream shop at No.2 Truong Han Sieu street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. Each glass includes a big scoop of ice cream, some salted peanuts and fresh longans for the relatively low price of VND10,000 (US 50 cents). The ice cream flavors range from longan to coffee and mangosteen. Making ice cream with the family’s special recipe, Uncle Tam has run his business for 20 years, catering generations of high school and college students. Thanks to the popularity of the shop, several copycats have sprung up in the area, so look out for the right shop for an unbeatable taste. Another interesting combination includes a scoop of vanilla ice cream placed on a bed of pink sticky rice in Thai style. There is no cup or glass as the ice cream is served in half of a dry coconut. Taking a spoonful of ice cream, you will quickly feel the cream melting on your tongue, mixing with the softness of the sticky rice which is well cooked in coconut milk. After finishing this dessert, you will be served with a glass of coconut juice to quench your thirst. All you need to pay for this set is VND18,000 (US 90 cents). This delicacy is served at the Handmade Coffee shop, 40 Hoang Hoa Tham in Binh Thanh district. For those who crave something unusual, the ice cream stall at 177 Hai Thuong Lang Ong in District 5 is probably what you are looking for. Only open in the evening, from 6pm until late, the place is always packed with young people from different districts in the city. Rectangle blocks of taro, green bean, and durian flavored ice cream topped with nuts, jellies, and shredded coconut meat will surely please anyone with a sweet tooth. You can order a dish of soft but crispy white crackers to make an ice cream sandwich for VND2500 (US 12 cents). This stall with plastic chairs and tables by the street also serves kem chien, or fried ice cream, for as little as VND5000 (US 25 cents ). As soon as you break the hot yellowish crispy coat outside, the ice cream will come out and start to melt on the dish. Who said ice cream has to be cold? If you are looking for some healthy desserts Ba Ly ice cream, made from soy milk, is surely a choice you should consider. Instead of normal milk, the ice cream is made from up to 70 percent soy milk, and no additives are used. Color condiments, flavors, and jams are imported under European standards. Eyeing hygiene and cleanliness, the shop even imports steel spoons and glass cups from overseas. Scoops of various flavors like chocolate, blackberry, kiwi, and peanut butter range from VND7000 to VND10,000 (US 30-50 cents). You can also mix the ice cream with fresh fruit for an additional price. The shop is open from 2pm till 10pm at 162A Nguyen Truong To, Tan Thanh ward, Tan Phu district.