Nov 9, 2014
Exploring Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hatched in Battambang
In Battambang, Cambodia, I was raving about its street food to my Vietnamese traveling buddy, Tuyen, whom I met at a Vipassana meditation course. She advised that if I have a penchant for cheap good eats, then I should visit Vietnam. She even offered a vacant room in her house in Saigon. How cool is that? With my visa expiring in Cambodia, the next destination was set for Saigon, Vietnam!
Vietnam
Coming to Vietnam for the first time, I had mixed feelings and expectations. The lingering impression I have of Vietnam is still that of the Vietnam War which was 40 years ago. The media fed us (people in the Philippines) vivid images of the Mai Lai Massacre, General Loan shooting a Vietcong in the head, Kent State fatal shooting of 4 anti-war protesters, napalm bombing of a village with a naked little girl fleeing for safety, etc. On the other hand, I hear from travelers about the beauty of Vietnam, from economists about Vietnam poised to being an econonic dragon of Asia, from Tuyen about the gastronomic offerings of Vietnam, about Vietnam as the motorbike mecca of the world, etc. It was all very intriguing.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Saigon is the biggest city in Vietnam with a registered population of 8,190,775. It used to be part of Cambodia until the 17th century when Vietnam annexed it. The French took over in 1859 until South Vietnam became independent in 1954 when the country was divided into North and South Vietnam. The communist north in a war of attrition that lasted 20 years (1955-1975), eventually won over South Vietnam in 1975. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the revolutionary Ho Chi Minh.
For the tourists, attractions include Cu Chi tunnels on the northwest, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens and an unforgetable experience crossing a busy street with the swarm of motorbikes coming in from all directions.
District 1
The tourist hub in Saigon is District 1, particularly the Pham Ngu Lao Street. If I were not staying at Tuyen's place, I would probably end up in District 1. It has a number of historical spots - Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Saigon Opera House, Central Post Office, City Hall, Pham Ngu Lao Street and the Reunification Palace. The boulevards are wide and lined up with historial French colonial buildings. Some streets are lined up on both sides with mature trees whose canopy offer shaded riding below. It also has a good concentration of English-speaking tourists - essential for social interaction since most Vietnamese speak little English. Saigon though didn't seem like a popular destination for budget backpackers (like me), unlike Sihanoukville or Koh Rong, Bangkok - even though prices are quite reasonable.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is the father of Vietnam's communist revolution. When he passed on, I saw a moving picture of his funeral - rough hewn, battle-hardened soldiers openly weeping in his wake.Today, his picture is omnipresent in Vietnam - in the paper money, the billboards, public statues, portraits, etc. He is venerated as a demi-God almost.
The Passenger on a Motorbike
After a 6-hour ride from Phnom Penh (9:12am to 3:22pm), I finally arrived Saigon. Upon stepping foot in Saigon, Tuyen was there to pick me up on the back of her motorbike. We would be practically inseparable for the entire duration of my stay. I would hop on her bike as she took me around Saigon...and later to the rest of Vietnam.
Street Food
Tuyen knew my budget constraints (a nomadic cyber monk who has this pathological aversion to money, hovering slightly above the poverty line) and my penchant for good cheap eats - and she knew exactly where to take me. We would stop by obscure non-descript eating holes, sometimes unmarked, but the food was always good. And then she would tell me that the place was actually famous among the locals - good stuff you can't find in Lonely Planet. It would always be that way - only the popular, the famous or the place with a specialty, without breaking the bank. The meal cost would usually hover around 1 to 2 US$!
Food Culture
Vietnamese people, like Thai people, love to go out and eat. It's customary that when two friends meet, they have to exchange notes on where the good eating places are - so word of mouth spreads fast. In Saigon (not necessarily in other places in Vietnam), it is not unusual to find a rich person eat at a pedestrian place or hang-out in a public park where you might expect only the economically-challenged to frequent. They have this laid-back unpretentious character.
Vien 
Here is one of those pleasant but unexpected things that happen spontaneously. Tuyen and I went to a nice chic cafe for coffee - Cafetram. It was a cool chillout place that I decided to talk to the owner if he wants to make a web deal with me - in exchange for caffeine cups. Tuyen translated for me. The owner was Vien, who happened to be a young interesting dude - accomplished film director, seeker, perfectionist and successful enterpreneur. Rapport built-up with Tuyen doing much of the talking. The conversation ended up with him inviting both of us to breakfast the following day to an untitled hole-in-the-wall eating place that is known for its good eats. How cool is that? So we showed up the following day and had this kick-ass meal. Of course the highlight was the conversation again with Tuyen doing much of the talking. It would be safe to say that we all became friends. He further invited us to dinner at his home where his wife would cook us specialty Saigon dishes. Whoa! I've always maintained that the litmus test for a budding friendship or emergent trust is when the other guy invites you into his very space - where he breaks bread with his family in the privacy of his own home. I found that quite flattering. The dinner didn't happen but it was the volition that counts. At another point, we got invited to feast with him and his extended family in his hometown for his grandfather's death anniversay.
- The Fascinating Peoplescape Of Ho Chi Minh City Apr 23-30, 2019
- Peoplescape Of Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- 20 Days In Saigon Mar 22 - Apr 12, 2015
- Exploring Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Nov 9, 2014
Vien blogs:
Cafe V
Tuyen brought me to her friends' cafe where genuine good quality coffee is served - Café V. They are a couple, both Vipassana meditators - so we were all on the same page. Despite my language barrier, we all managed to develop rapport and warmth. They invited us for lunch and somehow the talk went into doing a 3-day trip to the highlands of the north for some R&R and also meeting this old wise man who is highly evolved in his pursuit of truth. This paved the way for my next destination - Bao Loc.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit 
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Learn English 
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Donation Bank 
Next story:
Counsel with the Wise Old Man of Bao Loc - Nguyen Duc Son
HO CHI MINH CITY BLOGS
- Hotel Review: Queen Ann Hotel Apr 24-30, 2019
- Banh Canh Cua Obsession Apr 23-30, 2019
- The Fascinating Peoplescape of Ho Chi Minh City Apr 23-30, 2019
- Ho Chi Minh City on a Visa Run Apr 23-30, 2019
- Nomad Travel Buddy Aug 27, 2018
- 20 Days in Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- Exploring Binh Tay Market, Ho Chi Minh City Aug 26, 2018
- Pho Beef Soup Exploration of Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- Rediscovering the Cafe Tradition of Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- Where is the Best Banh Canh Cua in HCMC? Aug 7-27, 2018
- In Search of the best Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- Peoplescape of Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7-27, 2018
- Rediscovering Ho Chi Minh City Aug 7, 2018
- AO Show, Ho Chi Minh City Apr 10, 2015
- Free English Apr 1, 2015
- Teaching English to Vietnamese Apr 1, 2015
- 20 Days in Ho Chi Minh City Mar 22 - Apr 12, 2015
- Discovering Ho Chi Minh City's Cafe Culture Nov 9 - Dec 17, 2014
- Ho Chi Minh City's Fascinating Motorbike Culture Nov 18, 2014
- How Long was the Vietnam War? Nov 10, 2014
- Exploring Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh City) Nov 9, 2014
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
IMPORTANT PLACES
Ben Xe Mien Dong
Mien Tay Bus Station
Saigon Railway Station
Tan Son Nhat International Airport
HOTEL
Queen Ann Hotel - luxurious and modern, District 1 location, 10-minute walk to Ben Thanh Market
Sakura Hostel Cholon - 9.0 Stars (out of 10) from 24 reviews on Booking.com based on cleanliness, comfort, facilities, staff, value for money, free wifi and location!
USEFUL INFORMATION
How to Get to District 1 (HCMC) from the Airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport)
- take the #109 Airport Bus (5:30am to 1:00am, departs every 15-20 minutes, 45 mins, 20k Dong or $1.00) Route: International Terminal - Domestic Terminal (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) - Truong Son - Tran Quoc Hoan - Hoang Van Thu - Nguyen Van Troi - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia - Ham Nghi - Le Lai - Ben Thanh Bus Station - Pham Ngu Lao - 23/9 Park
- get off at 23/9 Park to get to the cluster of backpacker hostels
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Tips
- best money changer rates in District 1 is Ha Tam Jewelry near Ben Thanh (refer to map for location)
- unlike most destinations in Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is too big for the major bus companies to provide a drop-off service with their shuttle minivans. If you are coming by bus, you get off either at the Western Bus Station or Eastern Bus Station depending on where you are coming from. From there, you can take the cheap local bus, the Xe Buyt to get you closer to your destination.
- you can get around the city by moto-taxi or rent a motorbike - but be warned that motorbike riding in Ho Chi Minh City is unlike riding anywhere else in Asia!
Ho Chi Minh City Cost Index
Budget price in budget places (US$1 = Vietnam Dong VND 23,255 = Php 53.20 as of Aug 1, 2016)
- VND 10-15,000 baguette sandwich (banh mi)
- VND 25-30,000 noodle soup (pho)
- VND 10-15,000 black filtered coffee
- VND 5,000 sugar cane juice (nuoc mia)
- VND 8-10,000 fresh coconut
- VND 10,000 one beer bottle
- VND 10,000 1.5 liter drinking water
- VND 80,000 bicycle rental, 24 hours
- VND 80,000 cheap lodging
- VND 10,000/kg laundry
- VND 8-10,000/km but flag-down starts at 20,000 motorcycle ride
- VND 20-35,000 rice meals (com tam)
- VND 100-140,000/day motorbike rental
Vietnam FYI / Tips / Dos and Don'ts
- Hanoi Grapevine HCMC Update - for the latest events in Vietnam
- Vietnam establishments will not accept US dollars, unlike Cambodia. You have to use Vietnam Dong (US$1 = Vietnam Dong VND 23,255 = Php 53.20 as of Aug 1, 2016)
- Vietnamese smokers will smoke in air-conditioned establishments, air-conditioned buses packed with people including women, children and babies. They also smoke inside hospitals with no smoking signs.
- Vietnam ranks almost the same as Thailand and Cambodia for cheap price. Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia cost more
- internet speed is generally fast and reliable but during important events like Tet holiday, election, etc., it slows down
- Vietnamese generally do not speak or understand much English. It will be a challenge.
- best to dress appropriately, not revealing too much skin (Saigon is an exception - the ladies there set the trend in very short shorts)
- remove your shoes when entering a home or place of worship
- ask first before taking someone's picture. If they say no, don't persist or offer money
- best to carry your hotel's business card with you when going out. You can just show it to the cab driver or XeOm driver if they don't understand English
- leave your valuables, passport, travel tickets, etc. with the hotel's safety deposit box
- when lying down, don't point your feet or the soles of your shoes to anyone or to a family altar
- carry only enough cash for your needs that day
- don't lose your temper in public - Vietnamese people are warm, generous and polite. They look down on people who lose their composure
- don't take pictures of military installations - you can go to jail
- refrain from taking videos of minority people until permitted to do so
Lesser-Known Vietnam Destinations
- Phu Yen Province - by the beach
- Hoa Binh Lake - locals' alternative to Halong Bay
- Ninh Binh - Trang An Grottoes, Tam Coc, Mua Caves, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Van Long Nature Reserve
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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