Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, city (1997 pop. 5,250,000), on the right bank of the Saigon River, a tributary of the Dong Nai, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city, the greatest port, and the commercial and industrial center of Vietnam. It has an airport and is the focus of the country's highways, railroads, and Mekong delta waterways. An ancient Khmer settlement (see Khmer Empire), it passed (17th cent.) to the Annamese (see Annam). It was captured by the French in 1859 and ceded to France in 1862. A small village at the time of the French conquest, Saigon became a modern city under French rule. It was laid out in rectilinear fashion with wide, tree-lined avenues and parks, and soon developed a reputation for its beauty and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city was capital of Cochin China and from 1887 to 1902 was capital of the Union of Indochina. For administrative purposes Saigon and Cholon, on opposite banks of the Saigon River, were merged in 1932; in 1956 the two cities were included in the new prefecture of Saigon. Saigon became the capital of the newly created state of South Vietnam in 1954. In the Vietnam War it served as military headquarters for U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. Saigon suffered considerable damage during the 1968 Tet offensive, and throughout the 1960s and early 70s at least a million refugees from the rural areas poured into the city, creating serious housing problems and overcrowding. In 1975 after Saigon surrendered and Vietnam was reunited under the prevailing Communist government, the city lost its status as capital and was renamed after the late North Vietnamese president. The local economy of Ho Chi Minh City was disrupted during the early years of the new regime, which curtailed foreign investment and promoted collectivization. In the 1980s and 90s, conditions improved as the city gradually adapted to the new system and the government relaxed its economic policy. There is a growing industrial base, which includes the manufacture of home appliances, clothing, and shoes as well as automobile assembly, but since 1990 the city also has seen undistinguished high-rise construction that has diminished its well-known charm. The city is the seat of Ho Chi Minh Univ. and a national theater. Read more: Ho Chi Minh City http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/ho-chi-minh-city.html#ixzz3QHD9HbIV
This was my first trip for 2015. Actually, there were lots of reasons why I thought of not pursuing this trip. Thank God, he enlighten and kept me motivated and of course gave me all the good reasons to go. Ho Chi Minh city is 3 hours away from Manila. The original departure time should be 11:00 PM but as usual, for an Airasia flight, it was delayed for 2 hours. I arrived the city at 4:00 AM. Outside the airport, I hailed a taxi. You will see the drivers outside, waiting for passengers. I showed the booking itinerary for the hotel to the driver and in less than 30 minutes, we reached Bui vien street, the backpackers area in Ho chi minh. It was already around 5:00 AM then, so the hostel was closed. I pushed the doorbell button to call the attention of the personnel. I was surprised that the house/hotel keeper was just staying on the ground floor and she cannot speak in English. Good thing, the guy that acts as the manager can communicate well in English. After checking in, I altready slept to get some rest. At 8:00 AM, I woke up and decided to take a walk. There were few people on the street, no wonder why because people and tourists are really active at night. I was not yet ready to try the native foods of the city that's why I tried to locate the nearest Mcdonalds that I saw where I bought food for my breakfast. There are also Ministops and Family mart around the area so you don't have to worry about the other supplies that you need. I was truly amazed when I reached the highway. Ho chi minh city is indeed the MOTORBIKE capital of the world! As in there's really a lot! Especialy if you will see them on the main road. Their roads are also huge and wide, so you need to be careful in crossing the streets. Bui Vien street, the backpackers area in Ho chi minh city Day 1After eating breakfast in Mcdo, I went back to the hostel and inquired about the tour that they offer. It costs 120,000 VD, quite expensive but I had no choice because I do not know yet where to look for a cheaper one. Since I was instructed to go out and wait in the veranda at 11:00 AM, I slept again for me to recover from the travel. At 11:30 AM, I was picked up by the tour guide and joined a group of tourists for Cu chi tunnel tour. The group was composed of Caucasians, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and a Filipino. Like the old times, joining a group of strangers for me to have a cheaper way to travel.
We returned to the city around 4:00 PM. Since it was still early, I still had a chance to look and choose for the cheapest tour for the next day. There are many companies that offer tour packages along Bui vien and most especially on Pham Ngu Lao street, just next to it.
Day 2For the second day, I chose the Mekong delta river tour. I found this the most interesting one and budget friendly as well. There are many tours to choose from. I went to the meeting place (just in front of the tour office) early in the morning and waited for about 30 minutes. Once again, I joined a group of tourists where in most of them were Caucasians. We left the city around 8:00 AM and traveled for more than 2 hours.
Finally, the one that we were waiting for, the river cruise. We rode a small boat, maximum of 4 tourists. We traveled back to the city for 2 hours. Since it was not that dark yet, I still had a chance to visit the nearby park.
I went back to the hotel after that short visit in the park and rest. The next part of my itinerary before that day ended was to take a walk again and see the city at night Day 3Instead of taking another package tour, I decided to have a DIY for my city tour. I just used the map given to me by the hostel, map application on my phone and the research I made about the tourist attractions in the city. You may either walk or hail a cab for this.
And this is it, one the famous attractions in the city, the Saigon Opera House. If you want to take a picture of it as a whole, you need to cross the street and wait 'til the road is clear because there are a lot of vehicles passing by. I continued my walking city tour around 4:00 PM. That time, I decided to take another street that will lead me to the river. I also had a chance to see this beautiful building, Bitexco financial tower, up close. I was not able to ask if they are allowing tourists to go to that platform above that'll surely give good view of the city.
At the end of the long road, I was able to reach and see Saigon river. I chose and ordered for Pho, beef noodles, again. For the last time, Pho did not disappoint me. Aside from this, I was also delighted when I tasted and drunk their buko juice. It was so delicious! Because of that, I ordered for another one. Accommodation: Where did I stay for 3 days?For only around 600 php per night (as of Jan.11, 2015), I was able to book this room for 3 nights. It has comfortable bed, air-con, cable tv, hot shower, wifi and a refrigerator. This is a sample rate of the tours that the hostel offers. Like what I said, you may opt to look for a cheaper one outside. Expenses:Day 1
Taxi 150,000 Breakfast 95,000 Cu chi tunnel tour 120,000 Cu chi entrance fee 90,000 Other supplies 105,000 Dinner 130,000 Shake 40,000 Total 730,000 Day 2 Mekong tour 150,000 Breakfast 50,000 Tip 15,000 Drink 20,000 Dinner 90,000 Shake 15,000 Shopping 807,000 Total 1,147,000 Day 3 War remnants entrance fee 15,000 Palace entrance fee 30,000 Lunch 90,000 Shirt 110,000 Dinner 120,000 Hotel (extension) 150,000 Starbucks 100,000 Taxi 180,000 Water 10,000 Total 805,000 Over-all (except airfare and hotel accommodation): 2,682,000 VND If I am right, I just spent around 6000 php for this international trip and so far it was the cheapest solo trip I had. I recommend this destination for those who really want to save money and at the same time enjoying the experience of being in other country.
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