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Vietnam

The PERFECT Itinerary for Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon Travel Guide

May 16, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial hub of Vietnam. Although less traditional than the capital, Hanoi, and possessing less potential in terms of outdoor activities compared to Central Vietnam; the city which is also still called Saigon to this day offers a lot of diversions to keep the traveler busy. From quirky concept cafes to marvelous architecture as well as ultra-happening rooftop bars, Ho Chi Minh City is perhaps better thought of as the place to go in order to experience modern pleasures. If you are making your way around the country, this city is a nice complement to the other parts and personally, I would think of Ho Chi Minh City as the best place to end a trip around Vietnam.

Other than that, if you are here just for a short getaway, Ho Chi Minh City also has plenty of activities to keep you preoccupied for 2 or 3 days. This Ho Chi Minh City itinerary shows you where to go and the places to eat during that jaunt.

Day 1 

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and is the busiest airport in Vietnam. Its location is pretty close to the city center, often requiring just a 15 minutes drive if there is no traffic jam.

Start the day in the Notre Dame de Saigon

notre dame de saigon cathedral

notre dame de saigon cathedral

One advantage of Ho Chi Minh City is that many of its tourist attractions are close to each other, in District 1. Sidewalks for pedestrians have improved greatly the past decade, and it’s often quite pleasant to walk around District 1 assuming it isn’t too hot. Assuming you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning, you can still beat the crowds if you make Notre Dame de Saigon (daily, 8AM to 5PM) as your first stop. Most people end up taking selfies or capturing shots of the cathedral from the outside, but if you can, check out the interiors as well. The stained glass windows, which were imported from France, are noteworthy.

Marvel at the interiors of the Central Post Office

central post office of saigon

central post office of saigon

Early morning is also an excellent time to check out the Central Post Office (daily, 7AM to 9PM) next door. You’d still be able to snap a photo of the gorgeous hallway with Uncle Ho’s portrait in the middle without other tourists in the shot. The main draw here is the arched ceiling and the colorful tiled flooring. Completed in 1891, the post office building dates back from French colonial rule and was designed by Alfred Foulhoux.

Relive the 1970s at the Reunification Palace

reunification palace

reunification palace

From there, it is a few minutes walk to the Reunification Palace (daily 8AM to 11AM, 1PM to 4PM). Formerly the palace of the President of South Vietnam, this gigantic building was converted into a museum after the end of the Vietnam War. The interiors are left as they supposedly were back in 1975, with vintage sofas and other decoractive items dating back from the 1960s when the palace was constructed. If you are feeling peckish by this time, there’s a cafeteria to the left side of the palace grounds which serve pho at an inexpensive price.

War Remnants Museum

For a more intense look at the war, check out the War Remnants Museum (daily 7:30AM to 12PM, 1:30PM to 5PM) which is located just a block away from the Reunification Palace. It has been over a decade since I have been here but the memory of seeing those gruesome depictions of torture has been hard to forget.

Rooftop dining at Secret Garden  

secret garden ho chi minh city

secret garden – ho chi minh city

For a late lunch, I recommend heading to Secret Garden (daily 11AM to 10PM) which is just a short walk from the palace. The “secret” is really apt to this eatery’s name as you have to enter through an unassuming apartment complex and climb a few flights of stairs to get there. This rooftop restaurant is sheltered but is partially open so don’t come here expecting airconditioning. 

Bitexco Tower and the air up there

bitexco tower

bitexco tower

By early afternoon, it would be too hot to check out any of the outdoor attractions so the timing is just apt to climb up to one of the city’s tallest buildings – the Bitexco Tower. Here, you can find the Sky Deck (9:30AM to 9:30PM) from where you can survey the awesome view from this 262-meter tall building. The Sky Deck in itself is located on the 49th floor while the restaurant on the 50th/51st floors offer a nice atmosphere in the evenings.

Selfies Galore at The Cafe Apartments

the cafe apartments

the cafe apartments

When it cools a bit, you can resume your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s outdoor attractions. The city center in particular, has an array of eclectic buildings ranging from French colonial grandeur to modernist constructs. Not far from Bitexco Tower is Nguyen Hue, an avenue with a wide pedestrian walkway in the middle. You will find a lot of locals hanging around here, especially towards late afternoon and evenings. One of the more iconic spots here is The Cafe Apartments. It is essentially one building with one store occupying each window and each one proudly displaying its logo. From afar, it makes for quite a photogenic spot to take a selfie. The Cafe Apartments is undoubtedly the most instagrammable spot in Ho Chi Minh City.

Colonial Architecture

saigon opera house

the city’s colonial building are also worth checking out at night!

At the northwestern end of Nguyen Hue is the City Hall or also known as Hotel de Ville. Prior to the instagram age (and the development of The Cafe Apartments a few blocks down), this was the most iconic spot in the city. The classic European style of this building coupled with Ho Chi Minh’s statue in front makes it a favorite for photos, even though casual visitors are not allowed to enter. As an added tip, come back during the evening when the exterior is floodlit. It’s a totally different sight from the day. Also nearby is the Opera House, another fine example of colonial architecture. The inside is even more impressive but visitors are only allowed to enter if they are watching a show.

tan dinh church

the pink tan dinh church

Before heading to dinner, check out the striking Tan Dinh Church. Dating back from the 1870s, the structure is known for its bright pink hue and makes for one of the city’s most photogenic buildings. The architecture here is a mix of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque styles and in my view, is even more beautiful than the Notre Dame de Saigon. 

Home-style cooking at Cuc Gach Quan

delicious home-style cooking at cuc gach quan

For dinner, check out Cuc Gach Quan (daily 9AM to 11:30PM) for its voluminous menu of local dishes. Set in a mansion with a lush garden, the dishes here evoke family-style cooking. Even the menu gives you much flexibility, often listing only ingredients and allowing for much customization in terms of the cooking and preparation. 

Day 2

Ho Chi Minh’s Cafe Culture

Start the day in one of Ho Chi Minh’s many cafes. The enterprising mindset coupled with the coffee loving culture of the Vietnamese has led to a wide array of concept cafes in Ho Chi Minh City. And indeed, there are too many of them that it’s hard to pack in more than 3 during a short visit to the city. One that is quite unique and also near many of the tourist attractions is The Hidden Elephant Books & Coffee (open daily 9AM to 10:30PM) located just a few steps away from Ben Tanh Market. This is a favorite tourist hangout with its set up similar to a library. Customers can browse through one of the books on the shelf as they enjoy their espresso or latte. Do note that due to its popularity, it may be difficult to find a seat especially in midday / early afternoon when it’s especially hot outside. You also can’t go wrong with the ubiquitous Cong Cafe which has branches all over Vietnam. I particularly liked their coconut milk coffee. If you have more time for cafe-hopping, also check out The Workshop Coffee (daily, 8AM to 9PM) which has a distinct Brooklyn vibe. They specialize in cold brews.

Explore one of the city’s sprawling markets

ben tanh market

ben tanh market

Everyone knows about Ben Tanh Market – Ho Chi Minh City’s main market located in District 1. It’s filled with shops selling apparel, food and even souvenirs. Given the rise of tourism in the city, all sections except those dealing with fresh food have become tourist-oriented and the price has become significantly higher than other markets in the city. I particularly like chewing on the local snack called “mang cau” or soursop candy. All in all, it’s up to you to weigh the cost – like is it worth taking a GRAB ride to a less touristy market for a few dollars in savings? If you prefer something more localized and authentic, I can suggest heading over to Cholon for the Binh Tay Market. You’ll find many of the goods there at a markedly lower price, and you get to check out Saigon’s version of the Chinatown, too.

Afterwards, check out a modern and more prosperous side to Ho Chi Minh City by visiting the city’s model community, Vinhomes Central Park. You’d feel as if you stepped into a different place altogether as you leave the city’s frenetic energy behind for some upscale condominium towers and chain stores. The country’s tallest building – the Vincom Center Landmark 81 – is also located here and it has its own observation deck open to visitors.

Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion

cu chi tunnels

cu chi tunnels by mimsie

For the afternoon, you can join a half-day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels are an elaborate network used during the Vietnam War to transport goods and people. One of the most memorable parts of the tour is the revelation of one the hidden trap doors used during wartime to get to the tunnels. Visitors can also check out the booby traps used back then.

cao dai temple by gary todd

Depending on the time you can spare, and especially for full-day tours, the excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels may also include a stop at the photogenic Cao Dai Temple. The religion called Caodaism started here in Southern Vietnam back in 1926 and can be thought of as incorporating both Buddhist and Christian elements. This is especially evident in the temple where one can see dragons and architecture resembling a Chinese temple but with statues of Jesus Christ. It’s quite a unique and interesting place to check out especially on the way from Cu Chi Tunnels back to the city.

Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City

  • In such an uncertain world, I would recommend purchasing travel insurance just to be safe. I typically buy from this travel insurance aggregator to compare for the best policy for my needs and timeframe. They carry travel insurance from many different brands.
  • Ho Chi Minh City has plenty of “snatchers” on motorbikes. You never know when a motorbike suddenly comes to you while you’re walking on the sidewalk in order to grab your bag. A sling bag, rather than a conventional backpack, is recommended while walking outdoors in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • You can pay in USD in many places including shops, restaurants and other tourist-oriented establishments. This does not apply to the small eateries or groceries.
  • You can book your airport transfers here.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

sedona suites ho chi minh city

sedona suites ho chi minh city

Budget – The Akoya Central Saigon Hotel offers immense value for the $30 to $40 it usually charges per night. Situated just a few steps from Ben Tanh Market and practically within walking distance to many tourist attractions, it sometimes feels incredible to think that rooms here also include a free minibar.

Splurge – For spacious apartment-style living, you can’t go wrong with Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City. Located just next to Takashimaya, rooms in this property come with sublime views of the burgeoning city skyline. 

 

Filed Under: Vietnam

The Perfect Itinerary for Hanoi, Vietnam (2020 Travel Guide)

February 13, 2020 by Bino 1 Comment

Vietnam’s capital may be known more than anything for its chaotic and motorbike-filled streets but I have to say that Hanoi remains to be one of my favorite Southeast Asian capitals. There is something about the city that always puts it at the back of my mind as a destination I’d want to visit again. It may be the excellent food or the fascinating history or simply the pulsating and distinctively Vietnamese energy. Whatever it is, each visit to Hanoi always leaves me with new finds and restaurants that I won’t hesitate recommending to friends.

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: hanoi itinerary, itineraries, things to do hanoi

The Perfect Itinerary For Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang In Central Vietnam (2019 Updated Travel Guide)

November 29, 2018 by Bino 15 Comments

The central part of Vietnam where the cities of Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang are located, is considered to be one of the main touristic centers of the country. The region contains a diversity of attractions ranging from a UNESCO World Heritage town to archeological sites and even Vietnam’s former imperial capital. For outdoorsy types, the area also has plenty to offer in terms of beaches and you can find plenty of award-winning luxury resorts here. The world’s largest cave – Hang Son Doong – can also be found in the region.

If you are also visiting Hanoi during your trip to Vietnam, check out my suggested Hanoi itinerary HERE

If you are visiting Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue and thinking how long you need to spend in the area, I would suggest you go for 4 days / 3 nights minimally. The three cities are accessible from each other to be day trip destinations but I would suggest spending at least a night per city to really appreciate the distinct vibe in each place.

Where you start really depends on your personal preference and where you are coming from. During my trip to Central Vietnam, I arrived via Da Nang International Airport and headed to Hue right away as it was the farthest of the three cities. From Da Nang, Hue is around a 2 hour drive.

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: hue to hoi an travel, things to do in da nang

Hue: A City Echoing Vietnam’s Imperial Past

May 25, 2013 by Bino 6 Comments

Deep in the heart of Vietnam lies Hue, a city that’s a bit out of the way for most travelers (which may actually be a good thing) but is a treasure trove of cultural attractions. Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam in the 1800’s, during a time when the country practiced a dynastic form of government with emperors at the helm. Imperial life then centered on the royal court, and elaborate buildings were built in and around the city’s citadel to host all the pomp and pageantry. With that undeniable Chinese influence, the Imperial city at Hue consisted of hundreds of buildings which served as government offices, residences for the emperor and his concubines and temples. Most of the Imperial City was destroyed however, during the Vietnam War, and today, barely a dozen buildings remain.

palace of supreme harmony, hue

It is perhaps the extent of the ruins which lead many to skip Hue while in the country. Truly, it would take a lot of imagination for one to recreate what court life would have looked like during the peak of Imperial Vietnam. Nevertheless, the imperial monuments in Hue were declared as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. I decided to check this out during my third visit to Vietnam.

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: architecture, asia, history, hue, hue city vietnam, hue vietnam attractions, photography, scenery, Southeast Asia, travel, vietnam

Published – Yummy Magazine’s August 2012 Issue

July 28, 2012 by Bino 4 Comments

In case, you have been wondering what I’ve been up in the past month or so, I Wander has been branching out from the blogosphere! The month of August marks a double debut for I Wander in traditional media as not one but two articles are published for two different magazines. Here is one of them:

the proof

You can find the article in Yummy Magazine’s August 2012 issue, entitled “A Weekend in Hanoi.”  The magazine is now available in major newsstands and bookstores in the Philippines.

For all you blog readers, fret not! Despite these side projects, nothing will change blog-wise. You will continue to see new posts being updated here on a regular basis, with both well-known and not-so-familiar destinations for your reading pleasure.

Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: article, magazine, travel, vietnam, writing

Ha-Ha-Ha Long Bay

August 31, 2011 by Bino 10 Comments

The sole reason why we decided to have a 3-day Hanoi trip instead of making it a Saturday-Sunday affair was because of Ha Long Bay. The name has been entrenched so strongly in many a travelers’ minds that it’s become one of the must-visit places in Southeast Asia. With a name that literally means “Descending Dragon’s Bay,” how could one possibly pass this up?

While limestone karst formations are not peculiar in the region (Guilin in China; Krabi in Thailand and Coron in the Philippines all come to mind), what separates Ha Long Bay from the rest are the sheer number of these rising up from the sea – there’s over 3,000 of them! It makes for a very fine view, especially during sunset where the scenery can appear like a painting baked by the golden colors complementing the limestone silhouettes.

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: backpacking, boat, food, ha long bay, halong bay, photo, photography, sea, sky, Southeast Asia, tour, travel, trip, vietnam, water

Exploring the Streets of Hanoi, Pt2

August 28, 2011 by Bino Leave a Comment

ho chi minh mausoleum

On our last day in Hanoi, we again ventured to see what the city has to offer – this time focusing on the western portion. As it was a sunny day (a rarity by Hanoi’s standards as it is one very cloudy city), we started early in the morning and made our way to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Most people make the mistake of assuming that this mausoleum, by virtue of its name, is located in Ho Chi Minh City. But actually, it is in Hanoi. The building faces Ba Dinh Square, which is one of the few places one gets to see such a wide open space right at the heart of the city. Compared to the Old Quarter, this part of the city featured large squares and wide boulevards that were more in keeping with modern communist capitals. From the outside, the memorial reminds me of the Anitkabir in Ankara, Turkey. It was closed when we visited so there was no chance to go in. Not that we wanted to, since all one gets to see inside is Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed corpse.

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: asia, hanoi, ho chi minh, quan an ngon, temple of literature, travel, vietnam

Exploring the Streets of Hanoi, Pt1

August 27, 2011 by Bino 2 Comments

Hanoi is one of those cities that I kept at the back of my mind for the longest time, like a page bookmarked for future reading. I had initially “bookmarked” it in 2007 when I first visited Vietnam but only had the time for Ho Chi Minh City. I was reminded about it in 2009 when a colleague from New Zealand was raving to me how great his weekend break in Hanoi was. But it was only last week that I finally got to visit this thousand year old city during a self-imposed 3-day long weekend.

emerald waters of Hoan Kiem Lake / Lake of the Returned Sword

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Filed Under: Vietnam Tagged With: asia, french quarter, hanoi, hoan kiem, lake, old quarter, travel, vietnam

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Who Wanders Here?

BinoHi, I'm B, a part-time wanderer and a Singapore-based travel blogger. In this site, I share with you my top travel itineraries. Along the way, I also provide travel guides and tips, recommendations on awesome food to try and impressive hotels to stay! Read More…

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