Pearl of the Far East – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Motorbikes, yes motorbikes! Millions of motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, and vehicles will just pass by now and then. That was the first thing I observed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, it was like a swarm of bees! The streets were busy and vibrant. Foods are different. The destinations are amazing. It is like a new world for me.

*The busy streets of Vietnam. This photo was taken by me while riding the taxi from the airport to our hotel*

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named and still also referred to as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It was named after the revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh.
Together with my sisters, Charisse Hazel Ann and Ma. Monica Chelsea, we stayed in Vietnam for 4 days. We never missed any chance to discover this country, we had lots of activities and exciting itineraries. Here’s a list of ‘what to do’ and ‘where to go’ for you to enjoy Vietnam.

WHERE TO GO:

1. Ben Thanh Market
After eating our dinner on our first night in Saigon, with only a map and with the help of the locals we found Ben Thanh market. This is a must-see place, there are many fun clothing and food stands. The prices here are quite expensive so negotiate hard.

*Sweet and colorful Bành tèt (sticky* *rice) sold beside the Ben Thanh Market*

2. Cu Chi Tunnels
We had a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels were utilized by the Vietnamese soldiers (Viet Cong soldiers) to hide during wars and they served as passage and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches, and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters.

IMG_8135_Fotor_Collage — *Traps made by the Viet Cong soldiers*

3. Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral also known as the Saigon Church, is a Catholic church in a largely Buddhist country.

4. Saigon Central Post Office
On the other side of the church is the splendid Post Office. This structure was designed by Auguste Henri Vildieu and Alfred Foulhoux but is always mistakenly credited to Gustave Eiffel, a French engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR3975. — *Inside the Central Post Office*

5. Saigon Square
Saigon Square is the best place to buy “pasalubong”. The vendors offer low prices and are still negotiable.

6. Vinh Trang Temple
Before going to the Mekong Delta we had a short stop at Vinh Trang Temple, it is a Buddhist temple near Mỹ Tho in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. In here, there are 3 large Buddhas, a giant happy Buddha, a giant standing Buddha, and a giant reclining Buddha.

7. Mekong Delta
You need to ride a boat to reach the Mekong Delta which is the Southernmost of Vietnam. We had some stops at different places to witness the Vietnamese culture. We went to some factories where they make their products like coconut candies, bành tràng (rice wrapper), woodcarves, snake wines, and more.
After having lunch, we went to the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta River is a 60,000-kilometer-long web of interconnected waterways, which span across three Vietnamese provinces. We had the chance to ride ‘sampans’ to have a short tour of the river. Unfortunately, it was raining hard, we were all wet and didn’t have very good photos.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR4053. — *The boat that brought us to the Mekong River*

*Coconut Candy Factory, Snake wine, Honey Juice, and some of the Vietnamese cultures*

WHAT TO DO:
1. Eat Vietnam’s best street foods. Street food is a major part of Vietnamese culture.

2. Don’t miss the Saigon beer!

3. Buy a non la or Vietnam’s infamous hats
4. Shop until you drop

5. Drink snake wine

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is so much fun. You can learn a lot from their culture and practices. Their history is very rich. Next time you visit this place, you will know why it is the ‘Pearl of the Far East.’

TIPS and NOTES:
1. The best time to visit Vietnam is Summer.
2. You will become a millionaire there. (Hihihi)
3. Be cautious especially when crossing the road.
4. Philippine time is 1 hour ahead of Vietnam.
5. Don’t let the local vendors scheme you so always ask for prices beforehand.
6. Practice how to haggle hard.
7. There are many motorbikes. They just park anywhere, with no locks like nobody will take it because they have their own. It is different in the Philippines.
8. There is a Jollibee outlet in Vietnam!
9. There are tons of money changers and ATMs.
10. There are many travel and tour agencies that can help you to organize your trip.
11. Some taxi drivers lie to you. Take the honest ones like Vinasun.
12. Always show gratitude. ‘Càm ón’ is the Vietnamese word for thank you. We were thought to say it as “Kah-mung.”
13. Be wary.
14. Be bold.
15. Enjoy