Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam

After experiencing the convenience and elegance at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, I feel so embarrased at our premier airport in the Philippines; Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It made NAIA a low cost airport. Its amazing how Vietnam pulled off a beautiful airport. NAIA was totally way behind in terms of technology, design, space and convenience.

NAIA is old and needs a major overhaul. I came to realize where does our terminal fee and travel tax go? Tan Son Nhat is comparable to KLIA, HKIA and Changi Airport while NAIA has become a poor low class terminal building. Hey NAIA, WAKE UP. We are so behind VIETNAM already.

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Ending Vietnam

It was the last day of my Saigon Escapade, I walked around the city streets and bumped at Ho Chi Minh City Hall. The French colonial style building illimuninates at night. 

The place also is beautiful during the day but its not available for tourists inside. Other close buildings nearby are HSBC,  Municipal Theatre, Rex Hotel and the newest elite shopping center in Saigon, VINCOM CENTER. 

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Footprints in Vietnam

Im so loving Vietnam and currently I’m doing serious research on going back to Vietnam and try the  OPEN BUS next time to explore the whole country in my convenient time. Vietnam isa very interesting country, it has different charm amongst other South East Asian neigbors. 

I got his pictures from a local travel agency in Vietnam, they called it FOOTPRINTS IN VIETNAM where one can leave a message or comment about their stay in the country. I found out some few interesting posts. 

Surely, I want to go back in Vietnam, there are lots of things to do and explore. Not to mention, its cheap in Vietnam. 

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Chu Chi Tunnel - Vietnam

The following day I booked for a Chu Chi Tunnel tour for half day for $6.00. I say that when in Vietnam you should not fail to try this because its a fascinating and a learning experience about the Vietnam war on how they beat America during the battle. Although the tour is very cheap, you have to pay extra around VN100,000 dong to get inside the park. 

As usual, we were picked up at Pham Ngu Lao just infront of my hostel. We were transported through a coach to Chu Chi tunnel. I can really say that you can skip Mekong river for this tour if you dont have time in Saigon.

First in the tour, we had a short video presentation about the Vietnam War and the tunnels. It was a very clever way for Vietnamese forces to build a long stretch of tunnel away from American sight. Guerrilla tactics were new to the Americans during this time and they really nailed at it. Vietnamese used different ingenious traps killing American soldiers.

But the most amazing thing during the war was building of a long stretch of tunnel. The tunnels were so long that it hosts a whole community of locals. They eat, sleep and give birth in the tunnel. They have develop clever ways on how to provide ventilation away from American sight. The tunnels’ entrance were so small as you can see at the top but luckily I was able to fit. 

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Mekong River Cruise in Vietnam

One thing you should try in Vietnam is the Mekong River Cruise for just US$8. The tour is whole day with free lunch but one can also try the 2 day trip to the Mekong with overnight accommodation.

The tour starts at 8:00am from Pham Ngu Lao point where I was picked up by a coach to Mekong. The trip to Mekong is around 2 hours from Saigon.

Before we continued in our journey, we had a short stop at a local art gallery. Whats unique about this gallery is that they use chicken eggshell to create a marvelous work of art. Aside from that, the workers were victims of Agent Orange chemicals during the war era so workers are either decapitated or disabled. But beyond that, their work of art is truly amazing. I learned that it takes a few months in order to complete the whole art in frame or through a vase.

These handicrafts are just one of the best I’ve ever seen, making it requires tremendous patience and artistry. Who would ever thought that from a humble eggshell, a work of art is created. 

After this Handicraft center, we went to Mekong river. We rode on a small motorized boat. The tour brought us first to a small ssland where they make coconut products like wine, handicrafts and candies. The treats were tummy fillers too. 

We had a taste test of different local products from wine, tea’s and candy. If you like their products, you can order some of it. I realized later that this could be one of a tourist trap. The island have different stations, one the other side we ate some tropical fruits from Vietnam like rambutan, papaya, lychee-like fruit, jackfruit and so much more.

So right after this taste all you can free treat, we finally head on to the river. I expected too much on this part, I call it the highlight of my Mekong cruise but it seems Loboc-Bohol River cruise was way better for me but its a good experience definetely. I can feel my Vietnam moment that time just like in some old Vietnam films Ive seen. 

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First Night in Saigon

Saigon doesnt have huge towers like Makati but it is surely lovelier than Makati during evening.

Hitting the night away, a stroll to the park is a cheap thrill that you can do. Everyday a group exercise is being held in a local park in the center of the city. Also at the park are young Vietnamese playing their favorite sport of Sepak takraw. This past few years Vietnam is really going strong in terms of sports.

Moving forward from the park is the nightly bazaar at the Ben Than Market. You can do shopping here, buy some souvenirs and eat at some local restaurant around.

Motorcycle - Vietnamese Way

If Philippines have colorful jeepneys, Thailand have tuktuks and in Vietnam, its undeniably the motorcycles are the king of the road. When in Saigon make sure when crossing the streets, take look from all directions because motorcyles can sproud and probably hit you like in every direction. 

 

Sometimes its very dangerous to cross the streets of Saigon because some drivers dont follow the traffic signs, some even advance even if the light is still red. Probably there are millions of these in Vietnam because even outside the city, still there are motorcycles traversing a long highway rain or shine. In the Philippines, the most motorcycled city is Dumaguete but nothing compared to Saigon. However, I find it really cute on the different hats they wear. It has become a fashion statement in Vietnam.

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Jollibee Vietnam style

It was a pleasant experience to see that Jollibee has a branch in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and not just 1 branch but 4 branches around the city. I never thought that Jollibee is a hit in Saigon. So if you miss some old time favorites like Chicken joy, hop at any Jollibee stores in Ho Chi Minh.

In fact, Jollibee crew wears the same as the Filipino counterpart and some even looked like Filipino’s. But wait, Jollibee Coke float? Haha. In Vietnam, Jollibee has its own version of McDo’s coke float. Langhap Sarap all the way in Vietnam.

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Hello Ho Chi Minh City

Finally after a long stressful bus ride from Cambodia, I arrived in Vietnam but everything was worth the wait.

Ho Chi Minh City also known as Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. It is the commercial, financial and entertainment city in Vietnam. Gone are the days when we think of Vietnam as a country full of rice paddies but Ho Chi Minh City is a growing to become truly cosmpolitan perhaps beating Manila sooner or later. 

After I arrived in my hostel, I immediately went on a tour around the city. I hired a Motorcycle and took me around Saigon although there are many tour operators that offers city tour but that it would start tommorow and as much as possible I have to utilize my time since I only have 3 days to explore this city and also travelling around like a local would be an interesting experience. Based on a map I took from my hostel, Saigon is such a walkable city. 

To start my journey, I was dropped at the Reunification Palace, a very popular landmark in Saigon. Right now, I am not sure if someone is living there but when I got there, they used the palace to host some conferences and conventions. There is a minimal entrance fee before entering the palace.

After the palace, I headed to a nearly Buddhist Temple. A very interesting temple because of the turtles, there were hundreds of them in the pond. I heard that turtles are considered a god here. This place is free.

Next, we were supposed to visit the Saigon War Museum but I decided to skip this since I am not a huge fan of a museum although very interesting for someone who wants to learn about Saigon and everything about the Vietnam war. 

So my next destination was the Notre Dame Catheral which is also a national symbol of Vietnam. Known for Buddhism, it was in the early 90’s that Vietnam gained a religious freedom and right now some Catholic minority are living in Vietnam and soon by Gods grace, G12 missionaries will soon conquer this great country. 

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Good Morning Phnom Penh

I arrived early morning in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Siem Reap via bus which took me 6 hours. The bus driver told me that I have to change bus to Ho Chi Minh City and I have to wait for 1 hour until the next bus arrives. So, I had a quick breakfast just beside the terminal. It was an fried egg, small piece of pork and rice for $2.

When in Phnom Penh, it is best to stay in the RIVERSIDE compared to the town proper because most tourist spots are near the river. Its a walking distance apart from each other. 

I realized that I still have plenty of time to rest but instead I hired a motorbike and took me to the National Palace and it was a lovely site in the morning. The sun’s reflection to the palace was mesmerizing.

 In front of the palace was a park, there were many people in the morning doing a mass exercise. The pigeons around reminds of Milan, Italy

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