Saigon, Vietnam

We only had to stay in Ho Chi Minh for two days and one night. I and my cousin made the most of our stay by running from one point to another. We were literally running! We booked a day tour, but the travel agency ran out of bus that day, so we needed to grab a taxi after every location!

But first things first! I needed to eat that famous Vietnamese noodles soup called pho. Just between you and me, maybe the sole reason I visited Vietnam is because of this noodles. I’d been having noodle soup back home, but I really want to try it in Vietnam, prepared by a Vietnamese, in a Vietnamese bowl, with Vietnamese music in the background and breathing Vietnamese air! This is my comfort food, when I feel like celebrating I would have this, when I’m feeling all down and lonely I would like to have a pho. And when I’m sick I would only feel better after having noodles! So there, I just want to establish the fact that I could live in noodles and still die happy, lol.

the im-so-happy-im-having-pho-in-vietnam look, :)

Vietnamese food is very healthy, the greens were served as greens. All fresh and crunchy. Vegetarians can have a feast! On Day 2, I tried ordering a cup of rice, but lost in translation, the very polite waiter served me an assortment of leaves, I was like.. where is the rice? I was told the roll  is made of rice, hahah. I still love it!

The fresh spring rolls with the peanut sauce and the oolong tea were so refreshing. I am actually looking for that Suntory Tea Plus here in Manila, but can't find one. It tastes like, well, tea. Yung naandun talaga ang kagat at pait ng tsaa. Parang bagong kulo lang, hindi galing bote ang lasa. Pramis!

And oh, the baguette! You must never leave Vietnam without trying their baguette, Bahn Mi vendors are everywhere in the streets of Ho Chi Minh. It is very French, As if I know how French baguettes taste. But well, I tried French Baker, if that counts. Lol. But much, much better! 

Baguette was introduced in Vietnam by the French during the colonial period you know. See, I was listening to the tour guide! It has everything in it, vegetables, meat, noodles, eggs and a choice of chili sauce or Vietnamese mayonnaise. I felt like I tasted all the flavors in the world in just one bite of that heavenly sandwich!

I also tried durian, I must right? It might taste different from ours, I felt obliged to know the difference. My cousin was not very happy when our hotel room smelled of durian. Well, distinction? None. It's as sweet, no difference as to smell and texture. Yummy!

As biased as I am when it comes to kakanin, I did not try Vietnamese's. My Mom, for me, makes the best kakanin in the world. So, I just took a picture.

And now, the best coffee in the whole wide world, civet coffee aka kopi luwak! Iba talaga, this I swear! I heard one Caucasian said ‘It’s the shit!’ then asked for a refill. Weasel coffee is addicting, it has a very distinct, unique taste that I can only dream of now! 

By the way meet Jackie Chan our tour guide, yup, his name is really Jackie Chan. He showed us his ID when we all laughed. Jackie Chan is a fast runner, he was everywhere. He's a busy man. I was so amused with Jackie Chan facilitating the tour, a group of 30plus tourists from different countries. He's cute, that's it! 

Some of the other tourists from our group.. they were all nice. I invited some of them to visit the Philippines as well. I told them it's more fun in the Philippines, ;)

With my cousin, Nhing. She's based in Cambodia and been to Vietnam several times already, I have my own personal guide! Salamat Nhing, see you soon?!

I particularly like this stolen shot of me somewhere in the streets of Saigon, looking at a map, lost maybe, but definitely full!

So, here goes..

We crossed the legendary Mekong River first.

Before we reached the boundary of Cambodia and Vietnam, the passengers were already asked to surrender the passports. Then the bus passed through what seems to be the immigration, then our passports were returned to us with visa approved! No personal appearance before an immigration officer nor questions asked, boy, that was really convenient and fast!

Then, hello Vietnam!

By the way, I can now brag about how it is like to be a millionaire! I spent  hundreds of thousands for the food, and millions to buy some stuff. In Vietnamese Dong though.. :)

Fist stop, the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral was magnificent, seated in a big square at the very heart of the city, the architecture is very European, we were told that every piece of brick was brought in from France. I find it medieval and a little bit Gothic, different from the Spanish-built and  century-old churches in the Philippines.

I bought my Mom a nice bracelet outside the church, it's made of pictures of Saints.


Just across the church, is the Central Post Office. You can actually buy stamps and send post cards and mails from the post office while Ho Chi Minh hovers from the wall.

I love these red telephone booths inside the post office.

The Reunification Palace

I thought, motorcycles are everywhere in Manila, but in Saigon, motorcycles are near and far, inside and out, in every place and from every direction. I have never seen so much motorcycles!

I am not very excited about this next stop. I was sad, and nearly in tears just looking at the pictures and reading the stories at the War Remnants Museum.

the tiger cage built for the prisoners of war

There's just so much death, pain and sadness in there. So much have been said of wars and military conflicts, but what can really dignify war? I forced myself to stay, and read the stories, and looked at the documentaries and photographs. I was inspired by the stories of compassion and heroism.

We now visit Chua Na Thien Hau or The Pagoda of the Lady Thien Hau. It was built in the 19th century dedicated to the Lady of the Sea.

I tried the spiral incense and offered my respects to the Lady of the Sea. I even had a wish written with my name on it that will hang in the Pagoda for a week.

The stay was short, but every second was well-spent.

Thank you Saigon!!