Ho Chi Minh City has reported big losses from its only metro line, but what really matters is the metro has improved the city's quality of life.

My first plate was piled high with shrimp, squid, crab, and mantis shrimp. The second was filled with oysters, salmon, and sashimi. The third was a mountain of grilled meat.

Last weekend, my family went to a popular buffet restaurant in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The place offered more than 100 dishes, from premium seafood like lobster, grilled oysters with cheese, salmon, and sashimi to a wide range of Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese food.