HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Beer at one of the rooftop bar at District 1

If you are seeking for a chill and friendly place, mark Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to your list.

You will never regret to the atmosphere here in HCMC aka Saigon.

 Vietnam is well-know for its rich history of war (American war) and also its busy streets. I was shocked when I first cross any streets (yes, any streets) in HCMC, because my heart nearly stops. These vehicles (motor vehicles) never stops and countless. Ha-Ha. But is fun and it remind me of Shibuya Crossing Street in Tokyo (Just shibuya are all human crossing, while HCMC is fighting against Bikers LOL-ed).

Right, back to the main topic, i'll share to you all my references based on whatever I had in my mind.

I've personally spent SGD490 (inclusive of return air ticket, 1 day private tour, food, drinks (lots of beers), souvenirs,  hotel (add on extra 1 night), airport round way private transfer, taxi)

8 Lovely formal and Ex- colleagues

Our trip to HCMC is in a group of 8 adults on 24 December - 27 December (4 days 3 nights - More than enough in HCMC only). I booked my trip with two different airline. Is XMAS + weekend, so flying is extremely expensive. So I've do some research and finding is cheaper to split out the bookings.

Airticket:-
Singapore to HCMC with Tiger airways with the price of SGD96 (one way per person）
HCMC to Singapore with Jetstar airways with the price of SGD107 (one way per person）

Hotel (Originally booked 4 days 3 nights, but our flight on the last day is 9PM so we decided to book another night to shower, so total 4 nights) SGD52 (total 4 nights , per person)

Airport private transfer round trip (1 van, 10 seater) : SGD10 (per person for round trip)

1 full day tour to ChuChi Tunnel with an English speaking tour guide: SGD75 (per person, inclusive of round trip air-con coach, 1 lunch, drinks (mineral water), entrance fees)

Personal expenses : I've changed a total sum of SGD150 (1SGD = VND 15,000) which my expenses concludes:

1. All entertainments and refreshments / good foods
2. Beers
3. Souvenirs (4 mini box of coffee + key chains)
4.  Cafe-hopping
5. Taxi

People told me that, expenses in HCMC is expensive (especially if you add in some shopping) and SGD150 is mainly not enough. Apparently, I don't believe and I stick to my own final decision, to use SGD150 for the whole trip, and I did have some more balances left. Probably because this time i'm travelling in a big group, so we get to share a lot of expenses such as : good BBQ meals, taxi, airport transfer, hotel etc.





But if you are willing to travel budget, trust me, you will find your way. I did a lot of research on Hotels and Private Tours to get the best price I could and help everyone save up. Homework is a must yo! Google, will be your best friend ^___________________^

Please do consider GREEN PATH TRANSFER if you would want to have a comfortable private transfer. Of course, taking the public buses down to District 1 (mainly backpackers area) will be cheaper. We are in a group of 8, so we booked up a round way 10 seater van. Great deal. Friendly, punctual and comfortable. Star rate: 4 out of 5.

Bye Hello House is located at District 1. (Click here) - Yea District 1, to be frank, HCMC was divided to Districts 1 ,2 , 3 and so on. Great, I feel like i'm in Hunger Game. Ha-Ha. Mocking Jay. Yeah man!

Okay. Back to Hello House. Environment is friendly, easy access, clean and quiet. They also provide you Italian style breakfast everyday. Price of the hotel, is reasonable. Do check them out. Location of the hotel, is just about 5 - 8 minutes walk to the famous and pack area: Pham Ngu Lao, District 1. Why? We will talk about it later. Star rate: 4 out of 5

The under secret tunnel during the war by Vietnamese. 

 Lets talk about the full day private one day tour with the price approximate SGD75 per person. (Inclusive of aircon private coach, 1 lunch, drinks, all entrance fee).

I booked our tour in advance with Here

The tour was guided by a Vietnamese whom can speak fluent English. I give the tour a full star rate.

The tour guide was extremely friendly. She even provide us services that was not included in the fee. You may ask her whatever question, she will be very happy to assist you.

We went to Chuchi Tunnel, the main attraction in HCMC. This is where one of the American war was held. I'm not a history person, but these attracted me so much that I'm attracted to the story of it told by the tour guide. These also shows how i'm so impressed and respect to Mr Ho Chi Minh who actually defeated the american.

By understanding all his techniques used during the war, by attacking from underground while the American was above ground. Is insane. I tried to climb through the tunnel, is so narrow, humid and i only did a 40m and i'm dying. Dam, these people, are.... absolutely deserved a big thumbs up. (BOW TO YOU).

I tried one of the hidden tunnel, was so small, (i'm skinny enough) haha!

 I won't be talking too much about the tour, you may want to find out yourself. You will be impressed by experience it personally. Trust me. Worth it. YEAH!

What make this country so special, apart from its war and crazy traffic? Man, of course their COFFEE. Yeah, if you are a coffee lover, don't miss out Vietnam. (I'm not a coffee lover, so I can't comment much on how it taste). I smelled, is really nice. Ha-Ha.!

But i'm a beer lover and a cafe freak. I spend most of my time cafe-hopping (I don't drink coffee in cafe but soft drinks and mostly beers) and also of course sitting beside the streets for the cheap ass (sorry! Singapore beer is too expensive, forgive me) beer! Loving the SAIGON SPECIAL.. Oh mama mia~~~

The culture, the streets

Yeap, I mentioned, I stayed at Pham Ngu Lao area. Is full of massage, nail treatment and of course, amazing live band clubs / bars / pubs. I'm not too sure why they have the culture of sitting on little cute chairs and tables along the street, mainly facing the streets, chilling and drinking.

I tried. Is an amazing feeling. No words could describe how chill it is. Extremely amazing.

Pham Ngu Lao, District 1

Santa is real, his just trying to do a road-crossing coz he lost his deers..haha

Remember I mentioned, I feel like i'm in the movie of Hunger Game. I found this in the neighborhood while I was in the mist of survey / looking for themed / recommended cafes. (Tons of cafes, I can't finish it all)

Come across this. Yea. This cafe is named: MOCKING BIRD. haha.. I did not check this out, but have a glanced. I was at the other cafe, 2 floor down - BANKSY CAFE.

Environment is marvelous.

MOCKING BIRD CAFE

Remind me of THE VATICAN SPIRAL STAIRCASE in Italy
(This is actually a view when i was on my way down to BANKSY CAFE)

BANKSY CAFE

It took me a while to find this cafe, why?

1. It is located in an look-alike abandon neighborhood
2. They did not put up their sign board

Banksy, if you know who he is? I love his art, thats why this cafe attracted my attention to pay a visit. Of course, there is no art of his in the cafe, but these cafe, has a studio feelings, and is vintage. (i love vintage).

Interior of BANKSY CAFE

I mentioned abandon （alike) did i? It really is. Here is a proof！

A nature human nature respond will be like: OKAY, am I in the right place？
Answer: YOU DEFINITELY ARE!!! While exploring the location of the cafe, yea we spotted this:

A secret place of a clothing shop, looks cool

Okay, the other top things to do in HCMC, of course check out the panorama view of the stunning city during sunset. Yea, where to? Check it out!!

Yeap here!!! There is a cafe at Level 52. Where you just order a cup of drinks from their menu (which is over-priced.) But in order to stay for the sunset, yes, please just order. Is worth for the view. Be there by 4PM, Why? Is going to be crowded around 5Pm on wards. So you can grab a good seat for a great shot.

Soft drinks - VND99,000
Beer: VND99,000

What is your choice? What's mine? Do I have to mention? Ha ha!

Yeap! He is NOT my bf. Haha... Well, I met this guy (eric) whom is from the states, a solo backpacker whom has been traveling for the past 5 months and he has travel the whole Vietnam (salute). We chat a lot about our trip while waiting for the sunset.

Okay okay! I know. The sunset. Tada! Here you go!!

STUNNING!

You realized I do not talk about shopping. Is there NO shopping at all in HCMC? Nope, there is! Just is not my style and I don like spending most of my time shopping. You may go to SAIGON MALL. While others are enjoying shopping, me and one of my buddy, we went exploring around on foot.

We came across this stunning sunset view from the other side where others have missed it. Here a photo to conclude my blog post about HCMC.

Where is my next stop ? Yeap. I'm going Vietnam again in March. To HANOI , alone. ^____^