After the rollercoaster journey to NAIA Terminal 3, a successful check-in was made an hour before the boarding time. It was miraculous night for heavy traffic along SLEX and EDSA on a Wednesday was inevitable.
With 11pm flight, we touched down past midnight with seemingly huge excitement: B39 (although only the 4 of us) was on a trip abroad! The trip lasted for 2 hours where Vietnam is behind by one hour vs. Philippine time.
Not finding Vinnasun Taxi around, we ended up with Saigon Taxi going to District 1 at 160,000 VND. Since Pham Ngu Lao Street is well-known haven for backpackers, we did not have the hard time to look for our place of refuge for the night: Red Sun Hotel. With Pham Ngu Lao Street, visitors have wide range of options for affordable accommodations within the heart of the city.
Red Sun Hotel is a homey place to stay recommended for friends and family who want to have convenient stay in District 1 without hurting their pocket. It is located in the central district of Ho Chi Minh, perfect for travelers where shops, restaurants, tourist spots can be easily accessed. The staff is very warm and accommodating --- a sudden feel of home in Vietnam.
Subsequent to catching up with kilig stories until dawn, we dressed up for Saigon breakfast: omelet, bread, tomato dip and strawberry jam. It was a free and easy morning for Ho Chi Minh City tour.
The Reunification Palace
Our first stop was Reunification Palace. Formerly known as Independence Palace, this was designed as home and command center for the South Vietnam President . This palace was noted for its role in 1975’s Fall of Saigon. Now, it boasts well-designed rooms, lounges, banquet halls, lobbies, War command room and President’s office. It is one of the many places in Ho Chi Minh that has been unchanged. There are also available rooms where tourists can watch a documentary film on the palace in English, Chinese, French and Vietnamese.
The Reunification Palace occupies a massive green plot in District 1 of Saigon. The main gate on Nam Ku Khoi Nghia located on the eastern side of the palace grounds serves as an entrance for tourists.
From the tourist district and backpacker’s area of Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien, walk east past Ben Thanh Market, then turn left and walk north on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia to find Reunification Palace. It is open from 7:30-11:00 AM and 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND.
The Vincom Center
It is one of the most luxurious shopping centers in Saigon with various high-end brands to choose from. The commercial center houses fashion shops like Aldo, Charles & Keith, Nine West, Furla, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Bebe, Mango, Versus, Emprio Armani,Levi's, Just Cavali and many more.
After the expensive shopping in this 5-level mall with 3 basements, one can relax and dine with wide choices such as in Highlands Coffee, Carl's Jr., Armani Cafe, Pho 24, Seoul Garden, Thai Express, Kichi Kichi and NYDC or grab a dessert in Bud's Ice Cream of San Franciso to satisfy your sweet tooth's cravings. Vincom Center is located just across Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Opera House.
The Benh Than Market
It is a popular market in District 1 of Central Saigon, a smaller version of Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. It offers hundred of stalls of souvenirs, shirts, bags, pasalubong, handicrafts and foods.
We had our souvenir shopping and scouted for bags. Don't forget to haggle when buying for items. As a tip, it is better and wiser to look around before buying and wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes.
Contacts:
Red Sun Hotel
283/17 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Redsun-Hotel/Ho-Chi-Minh/5918
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