Ho Chi Minh City – Day 1

Since we arrived midnight, we can’t find bus and only the Taxi can bring you to District 1. As recommended by other reviews, choose only cab from Mai Linh or Vinasun. It is not hard to find one as you can see them in Airport but be sure that the cab uses the meter.

We checked-in to Hongkong Kaiteki Hotel. The receptionist is quite snobbish maybe because we arrived in a midnight and unintentionally disturbed their sleep. Hoho! We were provided with a towel, toothbrush,  glass and a key to your locker. We were booked for a Business Capsule, a bunker type rooms.  I didn’t had a good stay not to  mention the aircon temperature.  We had a short nap since we will meet by 7:00 AM for the city tour. We had breakfast at a mini eatery for 35,000 VND. Oh! before I forgot, iced tea in Vietnam is different from what we are used to order in the Philippines.

Since Day 1 morning is intended for city tour, we’re planning to walk around the city but was changed because we rode a cyclo. Never ride a cyclo or be fooled. (Read the cyclo experience here)

We took lunch in another eatery which cost us 50,000 VND without drinks. After lunch, we headed to our tour to Cu Chi Tunnel. I did enjoy this one since the tour was very informative and you’ll have your Ah! moments. Living under the ground is really hard not to mention the darkness and narrow tunnel.

Tourists will be lead first here to have a brief knowledge about Vietnam War.

This was made by the Vietnamese as a trap for the American soldier.

Ant hill where Vietnamese get their air to breath under ground, but for us Filipino, we call this “Nuno sa Punso”.

We went back to District 1 and had dinner at Pho24 for 84,000 VND. You’ll find one in the Ben Than road.

Don't missed the chance to taste their Caramel Plan.

What's not to ride in Ho Chi Minh City?

One blog recommended as a must try in HCMC is the Cyclo (pronounced as seek-low) ride.  Our Day 1 is highly remembered by this ride. I don’t know if everyone who tried riding Cyclo has the same experience as mine.

Since we still have time before the Cu Chi Tunnel tour, we decided to walk around the city. While walking, we were followed by a cyclo driver and offered a city tour. We refused to ride and started to walk again but then another driver blocked our way and recommended the Hongkong Mall, as they offer cheaper items compared to Ben Than Market. He told us to only pay 5,000 VND for the city tour while showing us a laminated paper with the list of attractions to visit. To make it more convincing, he presented a notebook with a positive comment. Guess what? It’s written in Filipino. We hopped in the Cyclo by his price of 5,000 VND per person.

On our way to Hongkong Mall, the driver will entertain you even he’s having hard time in speaking English. We were advised to go shopping first upon arrival. We left the  mall with nothing to buy since I don’t feel like buying there, it looks like some tiangge stores here in the Philippines.

Heading to War Remnants museum, I saw Jollibee and feel proud of it.  In War Remnants museum, you need to pay for an entrance fee amounting to 15,000 VND. I was thrilled by what were showcased there.

Our tour ends in Saigon River and asked the driver if they can bring us to Ben Than Market instead. They refused and asked us to pay for the service. Giving them the 5,000, the driver shouted at us that they need 1,500,00 VND each and not 5,000. Insisting  the earlier agreement, they put out the laminated paper with a 1,500,000 VND printed on it. I am not sure if that was the same paper as he hid it immediately under the chair of his cyclo. They keep on saying that our payment cannot buy a cigarette. We told them that we only have few money left. But he grabbed 500,000 VND from our money and leave us with the other driver. The other driver grabbed 100,000 VND left shown in our hands and asking us to pay for 400,000 VND. He told us to withdraw our money so we decided to go to a police officer to report them. We told him that we will come back after we withdraw our money. But he left us with no word and looked so pissed. Here is the thing, they'll bring you to Saigon River since only few people are walking there, they've planned it already.

Never ride a cyclo unless you booked it in a city tour or get fooled. Again. Never ride a Cyclo as I don’t want this to happen to you once you visited HCMC.

Ho Chi Minh City - Itinerary

Breath-taking, one word to describe crossing the lane in Saigon. In the Philippines, even if we have this so-called “right of way”, I am still afraid of passing the busy street. Uhm, how much more to a foreign land who had a bunch of motorcycles?

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), which was formerly known as Saigon is one busy city with so much things to offer for the tourists. As a first-timer, visiting the HCMC is a unique experience most esp. if you only do the walking. The attractions are close with each other so you would enjoy the city tour. Oh! And make sure you’re checked-in a hotel near them, District 1 to be specific.

Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary

You may want to read and try the itinerary details of my visit in HCMC but I would suggest you do your own for a better experience.

Day 1

We arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 01:00 AM and rode Vinasun Taxi to Hongkong Kaiteki Hotel. We only pay 35,000 Vietnamese Dong (Php 75.00, some says this was too cheap) for the transfer as stated in the taxi meter. Upon checking in, we agreed to have a nap and meet by 7:00 AM for breakfast. We ate in an eatery (I don’t know how they call it there) and paid for 34,000 Vietnamese dong. Our morning was spent in a City Tour by riding a Cyclo (Read my unwanted experience in a here). 

Then after lunch, we went to Cu Chi Tunnel (by Sun Tours). Done with the dinner, we went back to hotel and called it a day.

Day 2

Set ourselves ready for Mekong Delta Tour (by Sun Tours). Riding a motor boat, we get to visit the Cai Be Floating Market, here we saw how locals trade items in the middle of the river. The cruise continued in visiting a family business were coconut candy and pop rice are made. In Binh Hoa Phuoc village, we were served lunch (without free drinks) and immersed ourselves in nature in a bicycle ride. Served with fresh fruits while listening in a live Vietnamese Folk music. We also had a short ride in a small boat and went back to city by bus. Ben Than road is opened in the evening for a Night Market, and oh! items were a little expensive there.

Day 3

My vacation in HCMC wouldn’t be completed without shopping! Go directly to Saigon Square orSaigon Square II for the best price of bags and clothes. From Saigon main entrance, go straight and turn left or right at the last corner, and give your best to bargain bags. Never missed the famous Vietnamese Pho. As always, unpacking is way better than packing your bags. Now, our problem is how to carry all those things without paying for an additional fee. Voila! Handcarry will no longer be weighed, ask your friends to bring items for you. Bye, Ho Chi Minh! Hello, Manila!

Had a little hard time in converting the item prices to Peso. Haha.

Spending three days in HCMC is enough to enjoy the city. If you have nothing else to do, go shopping. Just please remember, learn a little of their language for they are not so much of the English. Also, make sure to look left and right while walking,  good thing I still went back home safe and sound. Motorcycles appear on your side in a blink of an eye (not so much strict on traffic rules, huh?). 

Lori, 2014