Inside Tan Son Nhat Airport
Ho Chi Minh was my second place to visit in my May 2010 backpacking plan. When I was planning my backpacking in March (when I was still on board a ship), I still not sure where I wanna go after the Singapore trip.
Yeah, after a few hours surfing in the internet, I found a cheaper flight tickets to the Vietnam's largest city. It is Ho Chi Minh City!
Situated at the South Vietnam, the flight took about 2 hours!. Oh, I was using Tiger Airways by the way.
Situated at the South Vietnam, the flight took about 2 hours!. Oh, I was using Tiger Airways by the way.
Tan Son Nhat Airport View
Ho Chi Minh City also known as Saigon. But If I am not mistaken, the local called Saigon only at the Center of the HCMC. Not all the HO CHI MINH called Saigon, only at the center.
My last journey to Singapore I was alone, but for this trip, my friends "UDIN" will joined me for the Vietnam & Cambodia trip.
He got the ASEAN PASS from Malaysia Airlines, so he got no problem to book the flight ticket. Anytime he want! If you want to know about ASEAN PASS, go to the MAS website. ASEAN PASS for RM1049, you will get 4flights in the ASEAN country.
My flight was early than Udin, so I waited him at the HCMC Vietnam Airport for about an hour. Both of us just contact through email while I am Singapore. So I am quite nervous wether he will show up at the arrival hall or not.
He also told me that, he was also nervous what happened If I cancelled my trip because when I was in Singapore, i got a called from home told me about my grandmother had died. I was so sad because I can't went back because of the un-cancelled flight tickets. I had booked all the retuns flight ticket for 2 weeks.
So, I want or not, I cant cancelled the trip.
He also told me that, he was also nervous what happened If I cancelled my trip because when I was in Singapore, i got a called from home told me about my grandmother had died. I was so sad because I can't went back because of the un-cancelled flight tickets. I had booked all the retuns flight ticket for 2 weeks.
So, I want or not, I cant cancelled the trip.
I had arranged a taxi driver to pick us up at the airport. When I arrived, I saw one taxi driver holding a paper with my name on it. Immediately I know that was my taxi. We stayed at Ngoc Thao House. Nice place to stay! Friendly!! and not to forget very nice room.
USD19 Per Night
In HCMC, if you do not want booked your accomodation, it should be ok. There were a thousand of choices to choose. But, it should be alright if you reserved a place for ONE night first, then for the next night, you can search at the city.
"Pham Ngu Lao" Street is the best place area to stay, near with everything. But not to warn you, this place is very touristy!!!. So many foreigners in this area. I hate it. Because I want to be somewhere hidden where there is no tourist at all. But, it was OK for the first time right.
Benh Thahn Market
Just asked the hotel about where to go, how, how far from the interesting places. First place we went after we arrived was Benh Thahn market. 10 minutes from our hotel is this market. Actually we didnt went to the market but we went to the street next to the market.
A lot of sourvenier!!! Oh, by the way, you better standby your US DOLLAR!!!
So many MALAYSIAN! Look alike "Petaling Street" in Kuala Lumpur. Well, maybe Malaysian are very rich! LOL!!
Benh Thahn Market
See the colourful rice at this above photo?... Look yummy but I not really on the mood to try food on that time. We bought a lot of keychains and we haggled the price like there is no tomorrow. You must HAGGLE the price as low as you can!!! *TIPS* Before you go to HCMC, test your HAGGLE skill at "Petaling Street" in Kuala Lumpur first!!..
Sri Mariamman Temple
We had been in HCMC for 4days 3 nights.
Most of the Vietnamese are Buddist, but there are Hindu, Muslim and other religion in here.
At the photo above, is the Sri Mariamman Temple. When you enter this temple, just make sure you got proper clothes, and be respectful....
*psttt.. I told you one secret, I never been to Hindu Temple ever in Malaysia* So, this is my opportunity to visit! and back in SIngapore, had visited a lot of Hindu and Buddha Temple.*
Vietnamese Handicrafts Centre
We didnt enter the Handicraft Centre because it is sound so boring. Took a photos just OK!
Almost our travelled around HCMC we were walking around. *Tips* Along the Pham Ngu Lao street, you can buy a copycat of Vietnam Lonely Planet Book. ! A lot, and its cheap! only around US5!
REUNIFICATION PALACE, it was a former Vietnam Presidential Palace. I do not know, but if you didn't took a picture at this place, you can't say you visited HCMC!
OH!! Inside this palace, very very hot!!! No air-conditioning!!!
Notre Dame Cathedral.
From the City Centre it is an easy walk of less than 10 minutes to the Cathedral. The 40 metre high square steeples stand out on the skyline and help navigate the streets.
The cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and has no stained glass windows as they were damaged during World War 2 and never replaced, the exterior walls being red brick have suffered water damage over the years.
It can be seen where sections have been repaired , however there is need for considerable more work to be done. The lack of maintenance is typical of many classic old buildings highlighted as tourist attractions in HCMC.
Old Post Office
For the Chu Chi Tunnel trip, we booked a tour for US5 each. It is recommended to take a tour for this trip. Return bus transport and a guide provided!!.. Maybe bring your own food. No foods are provided. And a drink too!! Ho Chi Minh City is a very HOT place. If you think Kuala Lumpur is HOT, HCMC 1.3 times hotter. (Multiply by yourself, aha!)
Handiccaped Handicraft
On the way to Chu Chi Tunnel, the bus will stop and took a rest maybe for 1 hour at the Handiccaped Handicraft. All the handicraft is amazingly MADE! I was so surprised how good the are. But all the item too pricy. You also can buy and ask them to deliver in front to your house.
When it turn to who wants to volunteer to enter th hole, everybody were looking to each other and waiting for the volunteer to go first. That was including me! But, like I care, maybe I was the 4th perosn to enter and took the picture. When else I can get this opportunity
So, who ever out there, do not shy please, there is no need to shy here. Nobody recognize you here...
The first tip I want to give to you if you are planning to Chu Chi Tunnel,
DO NOT USE SHORT!!
Why? You will enter the tunnels, crawling like a crocodile through this tunnel. About 5 minutes. You will hurt your knee!!
Sorry, no CLAUTROPHOBIC allowed!
2nd tip, Bring Your BABY Torche!
It was darkkkkkk.....!!!
3rd tip, DO NOT FART!
Because it is enclosed space!
4th, use shoesss, it will easy to move
4th, use shoesss, it will easy to move
5th, DIET and LOSE some weight before you enter because you do not know which angle you will stuck in the tunnel. (UDIN, You stuck eh?..hahahaa...joking)
6th, no turning back. Once you enter, no way to turn back... keep crawling like a baby to the front!
7th, bring bags or keep everything you own in the bagg... you will do not know whether your wallet or mobile phone will drop in the tunnel
8th, No FACEBooKing... hahaa... No WIFI in the tunnel.. sorry to say!
But if you do not dare to enter, you are the biggest loser. Once in a life time chance, except if you planning to build your own tunnel at your backyard!
4days 3nights, will continue for the 2nd part....
Others post on my Vietnam's Journey:
yobbi best juak vietnam tuk hoh.. nang ada dlm perancangan sebenarnya nak pergi sinun.. giney ngan brg2 elektronik ngan baju pa semua sinun? murahkah?
ReplyDelete* salam takziah ninek ninggal.. ninek belah ney? mak kah? Ninek kmkorg belah mak di Serian reya pun bok kak ninggal awal bulan tuk tek..
mostly kawan² mek suggest vietnam mun nak nangga budaya orang lain. nangga pic kitak tok tetiba macam teringin nak ke sinun..bila la agaknya.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. It will be very helpful for me as I'm going there next June. =)
ReplyDeleteplan nak kesini mase xmas tapi tak jadi. :(
ReplyDelete