Ho Chi Minh City Day 3: One Day Mekong Delta Tour

Note: The winner who answered correctly on the wild guess from my previous post is Small Kucing & Mamarazzi. I will send the mystery gifts next week cause I believe this week the post office has closed. For the rest of the readers, thanks for participate and don't be upset, cause there will be another give-away again. 

Date of Visit: 3rd April 2012

If you have plenty of time just like my friends and I where we spend a week in Ho Chi Minh City itself (formerly known as Saigon), try opt for other tours such as Mekong Delta Tour and Cu Chi Tunnels which situated outskirts of the city center. After scouting around, we ended up booked two of these tours with STA Travel which tucked in District 1, not far away from our hotel. Previously, I booked my airticket to United Kingdom from STA Travel and because I think it's reliable and trustworthy, hence I did the same when I was in Saigon.      

One day Mekong Tour cost 210,000 Vietnamese dong or USD$10 per person (aprox. to RM30). The tour cost includes air-conditioner tourist bus, English speaking tour guide, boat trips (for both motor and rowing boats), entrance fees, 1 water bottle, some fruits and honey tea as well as lunch. On top of that, it includes pick-up and drop-off from where you stay.

The tour started around 7.30am and we waited in front of our hotel for the pick-up. The journey from city center to Mekong Delta took more than 1 and half hours. There are also plenty of foreign tourists in this tour - some from Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Europe and etc.

#1: Board on wooden motor boat from My Tho to the Unicorn Island 

Along the river's bank, we passed through natural creeks and quiet villages while watching the rural villagers doing their daily activities - going to school, work and and doing trade business. We also came across an interesting fisherman's port and also a row of stilt houses where half of them were on the land whereas the other half were on the water.

#2: The first pit stop at small tiny little village known as Diem

#3: We were given a free tropical fruits and local tea while watching the Vietnamese ladies and folks playing music, dance and singing. 

Basically nothing much to do here. The local were trying to promote and selling their tropical fruits here; such as papaya, jack fruits, pineapple, sapodilla and more. I don't even have the interest to ask for the price cause most of the fruits we have back in Malaysia then. So, I just wandered around and looked at the souvenirs there.

#4: Then, we went on to another boat stop to have a ride on these small row boat -This is the main highlight of this tour

A ride on a small row boat with at least two boat paddler - one sitting in the front whereas the one at the back is the main highlight of this trip. I guess this is one of the things that should experienced by every traveller and tourist when visiting Ho Chi Minh City to witness through their naked eyes and provides insight on how the local people use to move around.

#5: Passing through mangroves along the Mekong River

#6: And that's me on a small boat row - The hat was given by the boat paddler for the purpose of phototaking

One small row boat can only fit up to 4 people. My friends and I tried to our best telling our tour guide that we would like to sit on the same boat, instead of being separated but at the end, he got no choice but to separate us. But when think back, it's not a bad idea to sit in a different boat cause my friends who were on the other boat could take photo of me (just like the above). And for your information, at the end of the ride, we gave some small tips to the boat paddler, or else the boat paddler would show his or her grumpy face.

#7: A little boy with the honeycomb full with bees where you can dare yourself to touch it

Next, we arrived in a bee farm where we had the chance to taste a tasteful cup of authentic honey tea. Apart from that, we were being served small portions of sweet nuts and jellies, ginger coated with sugar and fried banana crackers for testing purpose. 

#8: There are even few local products being produced here

After that, we went to a village where we can observed how the coconut candies were being made. Besides candies, we also witness how the village people make handcrafted items from the coconuts. 

#8: Coconut candy workshop

Before end this tour, we went to another peaceful and quiet small village for lunch break. Besides small boat, the villager's main transportation would be horse cart cause I saw quite number of them. Animals like chicken, ducks and goose were freely running around. We had our lunch at open-aired restaurant with only fans around. Although it's freaking scorching hot, but luckily enough they turned on the fan to the full blast.

#9: Little primary school kids waiting for their colourful candies at the roadside

#10: Simple lunch with rice, vegetables, few pieces of chicken and spring roll. Maybe we were too exhausted, so we didn't care whether it's taste nice or not, but we finished them all.

#11: Hen Gap Lai and it means "See You Again". We back to the port where we started the tour in the morning around 2pm local time.

There are different tour packages for Mekong Delta Tour - can either opt for one day, two days or maybe three. It's impossible to do within half day, so do spare at least a day cause the distance from city center to Mekong Delta might took at least two hours.

STA Travel

Address: 235 De Tham Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel: (08) 3837 6979

Last but not least, I wish all my blog readers and friends,

"Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Happy Holiday!"

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Sabaidee from Laos 2013 (Sneak Peek)

Sabaidee and it means hello in Laos. Yup, I am currently having another travel adventures of mine in Laos for 8 days. And to be frank, 8 days seems insufficient for me cause I only managed to cover the central and northern part. But I believe perhaps, someday I might doing another revisit trip to Laos again to cover on the southern area.

Anyway, this is what I did throughout my 8 days trip in Laos:

#1: Arrived in Vientiane and visited Patuxay - Victory Gate of Vientiane

#2: Took 3 and half hour bus ride to Vang Vieng and watching Friends in a restaurant with the rest of the travellers due to heavy rain.


#3: Took another 6 hours plus bus ride to Phonsavan or known as Xieng Khouang and visited Plain of Jars,  one of Southeast Asia's most mysterious prehistoric place.

#4: Again another 6 hours plus bus ride to Luang Prabang and I really love this UNESCO Heritage Town.

#5: Woke up early morning to witness tak bat, the morning alms ceremony where the local and tourists gave foods to the Buddhist monks every morning in Luang Prabang.

#6: After stayed 2 days in Luang Prabang, took more than 12 hours bus ride back to Vientiane and visited Pha That Luang

I did experience many kinds of different things throughout this trip which I never came across before. Met many travellers from different part of the world; such as from Switzerland, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and more. Most of the time I travelled with my friends and family, therefore I never had the chance to do so but for this, I'm glad I did. By just listened to their travel stories, where some of them travelled at least two months to half year by travel across the border from one country to another country, it's pretty interesting and adventurous to me - makes me wanna leave everything behind and do so, but I know I can't.

Some local and even the Buddhist monks thought that I am Thai. Seriously, I think I need to learn how to speak Thai somehow. What surprised me was the monks approached and we had conversation for almost half and hour. I never thought that the monks can speak English very well. Another interesting things, right? And another thing that I pretty amazed with myself was I had more than 24 hours bus ride throughout this trip. It was freaking #butthurt but then I enjoyed watching the beautiful scenery.

#7: Thanks to AirAsia cause I never thought that my childhood dreams can come true  

#7: And with this, I concluded that I had done visited 9 out of 10 ASEAN countries. So can you make a wild guess which country I haven't visit yet? You might win yourself a mysterious gift.  

P/S: Might not able to blog my Laos trip at this moment. However, if you have any enquiry regarding my Laos trip, you are welcome to leave me a message at dianateodt@gmail.com

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Ho Chi Minh City Day 2: Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Central Post Office

Date of Visit: 2nd April 2012

Right after we done with the tour in Reunification Palace, we went and visited the two French colonial structures which can be seen not far away from Reunification Palace.

The first building that we came across was Notre Dame Cathedral, located right in the heart of this "Land of Motorcycles". Basically besides Reunification Palace, this well-known red bricks cathedral is also known to be another famous landmark and symbolic of Ho Chi Minh City and it attracts many tourist for its neo-Romanesque style architecture and a sacred atmosphere. To be frank, I fall in love instantly with this cathedral right from the beginning I saw it from far.

#1: Detail of a side of the basilica

#2: Another side view of the basilica with motorcycles

#3: Up close view of the facade

#4: Interior of Notre Dame Cathedral

Visitors are allowed to enter into this cathedral as long as there is no any private functions by the time of visit and it's free of charge for the entrance. Just bear in mind when going in for visiting, please be silent and turn off the flash of your camera to respect this religious building.

#5: A statue of Virgin Mary right in front of the cathedral

With the two standing tall and strong bell towers tipped with iron spires, it is hard for the visitors to miss out this beautiful religious site and has instantly became the most favourite point of interest for those who is seeking for old beauties and calmness. It's also another ideal place for those couple interested to shoot for their wedding photos as it gives the feeling like somewhere in European countries.

Across the street from Notre Dame Cathedral lies Saigon Central Post Office. Looks like I don't have to waste any of my sweat and energy to look for post office just to send out the postcards I wrote. Writing and sending postcards has become my everytime travel routine since I studied in United Kingdom. Therefore, it's hard for me for not writing any postcards whenever I travel.

#6: Saigo Central Post Office, famed for its beautiful neoclassical architectural style

You don't have to visit any post office in elsewhere but for this one, it's definitely one spot that you should visit and not-to-be-miss by any visitors. One of the main reason why this oldest post office in Vietnam has become the most popular attractions was because it was designed and constructed by renowned architect Gustave Eiffel. Yes, by just referring his name you will know that he is the one who designed the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. 

#7: Inner decor of the Central Post Office simply took my breath away

#8: Clean, wide and well-organised post office

#9: The potrait of Ho Chi Minh

#10: You can buy postcards inside the post office and the price of the stamps to particular country.

#11: Part of this telephone booth are still functioning and working but most of it has converted into ATM machines of different banks in Vietnam. Another interesting concept!

#12: Not just stamps and postcards, there are even selling different kind of souvenirs

Travel Tips:

If you plan to change Vietnemese dong, I will recommend to change in Saigon Central Post Office cause the rate they offered were much better than back in Malaysia.

Just on a day itself, we managed to do our own self-city tour and visited 4 most popular attractions around Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office. Hence, we felt a lil bit exhausted and decided to have early dinner before heading back to our hotel. Bumped into a shopping mall which I didn't take note of its name, we decided to settle down in the food court where it offered plenty of choices to choose from.

#13: Famous Vietnamese spring roll which known by the local as goi cuon

#14: Lotteria set meal - Being spoil by this global fast-food chain restaurants from Japan

And with this, it concludes our second day adventures wandered around the largest city of Vietnam, where the motorcycle is the king of the road. Stay tune for our next day exciting and fun adventures.

[Credit To: Vietnam-beauty.com,City Pass Guide,

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Ho Chi Minh City Day 2: Reunification Palace Saigon

Date of Visit: 2nd April 2012

Staying in District 1 of Saigon is the perfect choice cause most of those main and popular attractions were tucked around this area such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace, Opera House, and War Remnants Museums. Once we done with scouting around Ben Thanh Market which offered wide range of souvenirs and mementos, we walked to Reunification Palace which we believed that it's not really that far away. Wandering around Ho Chi Minh City seems to be pretty safe but please make sure be extra careful on your belongings especially the valuable one. 

#1: The ticket hours - 07:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:00pm to 4:00 pm

We reached around 12.30 pm and we had to wait for the counter to open at 1:00pm. So do take note before decide to come here cause there will be break in between 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. But afraid not cause if you reach during the break time, you still can visit the other two attractions which were few stones away - Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Saigon Post Office [will blog about these in the next post].

#2: Ticket includes film "Independence Palace-Witness to History" and access to the garden.

#3: Front view of the prestigious Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace, formerly known as Independence Palace was the residence and workplace of the President of the former South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Still standing strong and powerful in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City, this fascinating government building is a prominent symbol of the country's political history.

#4: Free English speaking tour guide in her Vietnamese national costume, ao dai

In this large and well-maintained historical building, we're fascinating with so many interesting things when viewing through all the four floors, including the rooftop as well as the secret tunnel passage inside this building. From the formal meeting rooms to private bedrooms and even visitors allowed to enter the war situation rooms 10 meters underground, all the rooms including the furniture and fittings were remains largely unchanged and making the whole place looking so grand and elegant.

#5: The Banquet Chamber

#6: The cabinet meeting room

#7: Auditorium stage with a statue of Ho Chi Minh and a red Communist flag and star in behind

 

#8: President's office in the hall

#9: The President suite and diplomat waiting room

#10:Vice President reception room

#11: Credentials presenting room

#12: Dining room with lavishly furnished and glittering chandeliers

#13: The living quarter built around a sunny atrium

This palace still holds many important functions until today. Some of the rooms in the Palace are available for the purpose of meetings and banquets. The palace even has facilities for held celebrations such as wedding and birthday parties.

For the admission fee per pax is 30,000 dong (approx. to USD1.50) that seems to be reasonable, I think that this is one place that you should visit when come to Saigon. It's a place more than just a museum itself.

[Credit To: Paddle With Hoz, Wikipedia, Saigon Muslim Tours]

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All Under One Roof In Ben Thanh Market

One thing I love about Thien Xuan Hotel, which was recommended by a friend of mine was because it was located so close to this largest marketplace that tucked in District 1 of the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City. Almost every single day my friends and I never failed to visit Ben Thanh Market which is known as one of the most popular and famous symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. And I believed that no one ever leaves this shopping mecca empty-handed, even for those with no intention to shop initially.

#1: The infamous Ben Thanh Market

One of the reason why this Ben Thanh Market tends to be famous spot among tourist and travellers was because it offers extensive range of souvenirs and mementos - from the typical travel collections such as keychains and fridge magnets to clothes, bags, accessories, jeweleries, textiles and even the famous Vietnamese strong aroma coffee. But this market is not just for the purpose to serve the tourist and travellers' need, it also where the local get their daily necessities such as fresh foods, groceries, household items and more. It's like you can get anything you want - all under one roof in Ben Thanh Market.

#2: The wet market part that sells fresh meat, fishes, seafoods and more

#3: Jeweleries and accessories section

Most people claimed that at here, where you can bargain with the stall owners up to as high as 70% discount from the original price of the items. I can said that it's partly true but not all the stalls in Ben Thanh Market you can bargain with. Some areas had displayed with a huge sign of "Fixed Price" and that's indicate no discount will be given. So be alert with that signboard cause they tends to ignore you if you bargain with them.

#4: Plenty of clothes but these not suit me

#5: Ao dai, a Vietnamese national costume, most commonly worn by Vietnamese women

When comes to bargain, you can bargain either in their own currency, Vietnamese Dong or even US Dollar. It's up to you as long as you know how to do the maths. Some even accept Malaysian Dollar but only you agree with the rate converted by them. Besides the general and widely spoken English language, most of the stall owners here can speak in different kind of language - Mandarin and even in Malay. So beware before you speak in your own language cause you will easily annoy them and some of them rather don't want sell their items to you. In order to attract more customers, hence don't be surprised some can be even spoken in Japanese and Korean language. Macam-macam ada!

#7: Colourful fridge magnets - I can't help myself from looking at this and I bought a lot, to be frank

 

#8: Unique and impressive Vietnamese lacquer act - Regret for not buying this for my future house

#9: Colourful Vietnamese lacquerware

 

#10: Dried nuts and fruits. My friend said the lotus seeds were freaking dirt cheap here

 

#11: Vietnamese women selling fruits outside of Ben Thanh Market

#12: The statue of Tran Nguyen Han, located in the roundabout which just right in front of the Ben Thanh Market

 

I can't deny that Ben Thanh Market is one of the best place to get what I what - especially in accumulating more of my travel collections such as keychains, fridge magnets, theme T-shirt, postcards and more when I was in Saigon. Even my parents who went earlier than me also said that this is one good place to buy household items, kitchen ware, clothes and more, just that you must know the exact and appropriate way to bargain with the sellers.

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