Last day in Saigon (17th May 2009)

We booked a half day tour (USD$5) to Cu Chi tunnel on the last day of our trip. We woke at 630am?, had bfast in the hotel and waited for a while before heading to Cu Chi district. We were accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, a driver, along with 8 international tourists (1 was from Mexico!!!).

Cu Chi Tunnel is 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City in the Northwest. It is a battle versatile of Cu Chi's military during the 30-year struggle fight against invading enemy for independence & freedom.

After paying the entrance fees, we pass through a trap door to the first level, which is about 10 feet below the surface.

A 10 minutes documentary film about Cu Chi was shown...

First we visit the bamboo traps:

Sight-see the secret basement cover: a demonstration by a staff.

To my surprise, I can fit in =p




The 200km long underground dugout was being used during the VN-USA war. It was important for the Viet Cong victory over the Americans as they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area around Saigon.


Next challenge: go through the tunnels to discover how Vietnamese fought in the war =p




Can only take the pic of the fellow in front of me...


Creeping down into the tunnel, only some yards, you can find out why Vietnam, a tiny country could defeat its enemy.

We went back to the city at noon, then we had lunch in Pho24. After the light lunch we tried Vietnamese KFC...ya, there are something new which doesn't serve in Msia.

Yummy chicken wrap...

After KFC, we had another round of light food in Pho 2000. We tried different type of PHO this time. PHO with gravy, delicious!!! And tog with my favourtie ice yoghurt...

We head to airport around 4pm...time to fly back to MALAYSIA...

2nd Day in Saigon (16th May 2009)

I had indeed a good sleep, woke up like 9am in the morning, had simple bfast in the hotel.

A bus-ride from Ben Thanh Market to Chợ Lớn only cost VND3,000 (RM0.60).

Cho Lon literally means "big" (lon) & "market" (cho). There are many Chinese live in Cho Lon district. It is in fact the Chinatown of HCM city. We spent most of our time in food court.

1. Roti...



2. Snack - spring rolls


3. Snack - grill banana and sticky rice


with coconut juice...

By the time we reached city, it was time for lunch. PHO 2000 is one of the famous noodle house in town, the fame was gained because formal US president Bill Clinton had beef noodle here back in year 2000 duirng his visit to Vietnam.

PHO 2000
1-3 D Phan Chu Trinh,
Ho Chi Minh City.


Challenge 1




Vietnamese Beef Noodle


My favourite drink in Vietnam - ICE YOGHURT

Yoghurt ice cream, tried it on my way to Reunification Palace & War Remnants Museum.

After the long walk, we went TEMPLE CLUB. Highly recommended by most travellers and bloggers, it is a high-end restaurant, attached to an equally elegant bar & lounge, serving delectable Vietnamese cuisine.

Temple Club
29 Ton That Thiep St
District 1, Around Town

Saigon Rocks!!

It took me 3D2N (15-17th May 2009) to see the very of Saigon. No museums, but lots of authentic Vietnamese food, snack and interesting places. A few reminder to first time visitors:

1. Vietnamese Dong (VND) is widely accepted, prepare plenty of small change to buy local food, snack and water.
2. Confirm the fares before you jump on any public transport (especially taxi, motor-ride and bicycle-ride), they will overcharge u by the end of the journey!
   
3. Only ask if you REALLY want to buy, especially in Ben Tanh Market. Don't be surprised the sellers will pull you over to offer help.
   
4. Drinking water cost only 5,000 VND (~RM1).
5. Bring your sunscreen, sun-glasses & moisturising mask.
   
6. Put on a good footwear, you will need to walk a lot. Unless you choose to tour by taxi or motorcycle.

Day 1 in Ho Chi Minh

When we first reached HCM, money changer is the first station we headed. At the airport exit, easily we found a bus to Pham Ngu Lao (this is where our hotel located). It is really an eye-opener to see how high density is the motorcycles in HCM city.

It took more than 1/2 hour to reach Nguyen Khang hotel. It cost only Rm45/ night inclusive of bfast. Although hotel is a bit far from the city (walking distance to city ~20 minutes), staffs are extremely friendly, also, internet access is convenient from the hotel lobby.

After showered, we walked to the city. Places visited: Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, People Committee Hall, Revolutionary Museum and Opera house =) It was hot in HCM, bad traffic and we walked a lot...but the saving grace: good food, friendly people...



First lunch in HCM: PHO24 (it is a chain store serving Vietnamese famous beef noodle soup & others locality foods).

Vending machine along the roadside??

This is a food corner in Ben Thanh Market (It is the largest market in HCM City, selling a wide variety of local & imported products, e.g. garments, textiles, handicrafts, flowers, vegetables...).

Perhaps sign language the best way to communicate...

Located in the heart of the city, the Central Post Office has been a prominent feature of the Ho Chi Minh City. It is a must-see places and no doubt the biggest post office in Vietnam and is an important commercial center of the HCM city. It is big and classic, the architectural design of this Central Post Office represents the French colonial style. At the far end of the arched building is a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh. This classic colonial structure stands right next to the Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the Ho Chi Minh City's major landmarks. Next to the Cathedral is the Diamond Departmental store.

Our next destination is Fanny ice cream house, located on the busy Ton That Thiep Street. It is one of the famous ice cream house in town.

Fanny Ice Cream
29-31 Ton That Thiep St.
District 1, Ho Chi Minh city.

Yummy ice cream with 16 flavours not to mention chocolate fountain, fruits & biscuits.

Walking towards Saigon River...traffic is terrific!!!

After an evening stroll along Saigon River, dinner is the next agenda...

Wrap and Roll
62 Hai Ba Trung St
District 1, Around Town

Serving DIY spring rolls and variety of wraps...

This is pre-rolled, can't remember what is in, yummy anyway =p


Vermicelli, one of the ingredients for DIY rolls...



Roll it & dip in the sauce...