A Saigon Story: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Our first family trip abroad to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam! 

Day 1 (13^th September 2015)

We flew via Air Asia and arrived around 12 noon local time at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. We bought our taxi coupon upon exiting the terminal at one of the counters after the custom declaration, next to the Exchange counter which costs us VND220,000. We were given another coupon which can be used for our way back from city to airport, which they would only charge us VND180,000. 

We spent three nights in Ho Chi Minh staying at Halo Hotel, located just a few meters away from the famous Night Market and Ben Thanh Market. It was cozy and the staff were lovely and helpful. However, the rooms are pretty small.

We settled down and headed out to Kampung Melayu Restaurant for our first meal in Ho Chi Minh. Then, we strolled around the nearby park. They had local festival where we enjoyed enhancing our knowledge about the Vietnamese traditional games. 

At night, we went for dinner at Serai Restaurant and headed our way to the Ben Thanh Night Market.

Day 2 (14^th September 2015)

Mekong Delta

We were picked up at 7:30am for a day visit to Mekong Delta to get a taste of the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside. It took about two hours bus ride from Saigon city. From there, we boarded a traditional boat and made our way up river to visit a coconut candy factory. They sold everything that they could make from coconut. We were greeted with welcoming smiles from local families.

We then boarded a traditional wooden canoe which became the best part of the day. The wooden canoe can only fit up to 4 people. It took us deeper into jungle territory along narrow canals and quiet waterways of the Delta. We got the chance to wear conical hats. As the local man rowing our traditional wooden canoe, we marvelled at the beauty of Mekong Delta.

We transferred to traditional boat before we were brought to local fruit farm where they served us local fruits and tea. The local traditional band entertained us with local songs while we were enjoying our fruits. They wrapped up their performance by singing the "Rasa Sayang" song.

Then, we went to a bee farm where we had the chance to taste a cup of authentic honey tea. They served small portions of sweet nuts and fried banana crackers for testing purpose to promote their local products.

We were brought to restaurant in another village for our lunch. And with that, the tour came to an end and we had a long two and a half hours bus ride to Saigon city. We slept the whole way back since we were exhausted.

Day 3 (15^th September 2015)

Cu Chi Tunnels & War Remnants Museum

On the next morning, we went on a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi Tunnels is located 70km Northwest of Ho Chi Minh, the former Saigon, in Southern Vietnam. The journey took around one and a half to two hours depending on the traffic. We made a brief stopover at the Handicapped Handicrafts Factory for a toilet break after one hour journey. The stopover gave me a chance to look at how acrylic panels were made. The handicapped workers have been trained to make beautiful art with egg shells.

From the Handicapped Handicrafts Factory, it was another 30 minutes journey to Cu Chi Tunnels. Before we started exploring the tunnel compound, we were all made to watch a documentary film, explaining the history of the Cu Chi tunnels.

The tunnel was a military base for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnel was built in three layers and housed around 16,000 soldiers and their family members. They lived inside the tunnel with no electricity, water and lack of air. 

After the documentary film, we were brought to see a number of underground structures that have been built by the Viet Cong. The first spot was very inconspicuous, a trap door on the jungle floor. Imagine how Vietnamese soldiers can easily fit into tone of this camouflage. There were a lot of dried leaves and short grasses on the ground. 

We learned about the booby traps laid out, waiting for the moment when the Americans would find a cave entrance. We were also brought to some exhibits of traps and demonstrated how they were functioned.

We came at a rest stop where refreshments and souvenirs are sold. The refreshment area was adjacent to the National Defence Sport Shooting Range where one can shoot for a price. I took the opportunity to fire live rounds with the Russian built AK47. I paid ten bullets for VND400,000. With no further instruction other than pull the trigger and aim, I pulled my first shot. It was frightening and deafening! 

The highlight of the trip was of course the tiny tunnel where the only way of getting in is by doing the duck walk or crawling. It was time for us to experience the original tunnel entrance and crawled 100 metres to the exit, which had been extended for tourists. The two frail wooden stairways lead up to the daylight every 20 metres. It was thrilling for the first five minutes crawling in the dark. I have no issue with small space but I started to feel airlessness. I managed to survive until the end with an unknown feeling of freedom. It was a strenuous but rewarding experience for me.

We were told that Viet Cong fought in self-made sandals made from tires to avoid jungle rot. Where as, the Americans struggled with wet feet rotting in their boots. Little did they know, sandals were the best defence.

We arrived back to the city by 3PM. We visited the War Remnants Museum that is located in District 3. We were welcomed with a number of war vehicles used by the Americans. Several tanks, airplanes, helicopters and other war instruments were displayed at the entrance of the museum.

The building is made up of series theme rooms with exhibits mainly related to the American phase of Vietnam War. The first floor of the building is about the photographs and posters depicting the international community call to end the Vietnam War. While the second floor contains disturbing pictures of deformed babies, tortured soldiers and death of innocent Vietnamese people. There are also room highlighting chemical weapons used by Americans during the Vietnam War.

Day 4 (16^th September 2015)

Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh Museum

For those who didn't experience Vietnam yet, please be advised that crossing the street is a challenge.

Notre Dame Cathedral 

On our last morning, my father and I chose to wander the city, exploring the streets while my other family members went for a final shopping. We went to explore the bustling Saigon as early as seven in the morning. We walked in the heart of Ho Chi Minh to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office.

The entrance of the Saigon Central Post Office

Souvenir shop located at the centre of Saigon Central Post Office

The Central Post Office is one of the oldest buildings in Saigon city. The good architecture remains ageless and beautiful. There are souvenir shops inside where you could buy local books, trinkets and other stuff. However, they are pretty pricey especially when compared to the ones you could buy in Ben Thanh Market. You could post your post card here if you wish.

The post office counters

Beautiful old phone booths

From here, we continued walking to Ho Chi Minh Museum. The entrance to the museum was VND15,000 per person. We were welcomed with a number of vintage cars and a Huey helicopter at the entrance of the museum. The museum used to be the French governor general's residence and the office of the president of the republic of Vietnam in the 50's and 60's. This museum displays the history of Ho Chi Minh for over the last couple of centuries. We enjoyed seeing the traditional Vietnamese dresses in the museum and the equipment used during the Vietnam War.

We then headed back to Ben Thanh area to gather with other family members who were happily shopping. 

By 5pm, we checked out of the hotel and made a taxi call, using the coupon given earlier on the arrival day. We arrived one hour on Wednesday evening at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which supposed to take less than that. Checking in was fast and getting through immigration was quick and we made our way to terminal just to hear the announcement of our flight delay. 

I hope to be back one day to see more of Vietnam.