This time, we're back to offer a trip that we've been marinating on since March, and we've already forgotten the details! That trip could be called a "mini-marathon" because it was a two-country trip.

Our original intention was not to visit Vietnam, and this is our first time in the country. Our ultimate destination is Taiwan.

We opted to travel with Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam's full-service airline.

The first stop is Vietnam.

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Round-trip ticket price: Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok-Taipei. At that time, we booked it for around 9,500 baht.

This allows us ample time to capture the daily life of Vietnamese people in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: You can choose a flight with a long layover. We chose a layover of about 10 hours, if I remember correctly.

Let's take a look at what we can achieve during this limited layover.

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Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon by locals, is located in southern Vietnam and is the country's largest city. With a rich history, it was once a French colony, which led to the introduction of French culture. During this period, significant buildings and structures were constructed in the colonial style, giving the city a European ambiance.

Official language: Vietnamese

Climate:

The region experiences two distinct seasons: a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April.

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City

Note: I have translated the sentence from Thai to English, maintaining a simple and short tone of voice. I have also avoided using personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and the passive voice.

1. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours and is available with both full-service and low-cost airlines.

2. By car or bus, traveling through the Poipet border crossing to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and then continuing to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

We traveled by plane. Around 1 p.m., we arrived in Vietnam. This was our first time here.

Upon exiting the building, a vast crowd of people awaited the arrival of their loved ones. The scene was reminiscent of a celebrity arrival, with relatives holding bouquets of flowers and eagerly anticipating their reunion. As passengers emerged, all eyes were fixated on the exit, searching for the familiar faces they had been waiting for. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and excitement.

Walking with shyness (want to know how it feels, you have to try it yourself).

How to get to the city center from the airport? We searched on Google and found that there are taxis available at the airport (which are probably expensive and we didn't want to get ripped off), and there are also buses that go to the city center for 5,000 VND. We obviously chose the bus option. It's easy to find the bus stop, just walk out of the terminal building and turn right. The bus ride takes about 30-40 minutes and it arrives at a bus terminal.

While riding in the car, we searched for places to visit and then started walking according to Google Maps.

The streets are now in chaos, with countless motorcycles swarming the roads, their horns blaring incessantly, filling our ears with a cacophony of sound. It seems everyone is vying for space, relying on their horns rather than brakes to navigate the mayhem. I can't even imagine riding a motorcycle here; the thought alone makes my head spin.

Gather your thoughts and move forward.

Having survived the treacherous journey through the crossroads, five-way intersections, and six-way junctions,

We arrived at a famous market, "Ben Thanh Market".

Ben Thanh Market

This is a large local market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, featuring colonial-style architecture. Inside, there are numerous shops selling a wide variety of goods, including local fruits and vegetables, traditional food, handicrafts and textiles, jewelry, souvenirs, and much more. If you're looking for Vietnamese souvenirs, this is the place to go.

This is the lady who welcomed us.

We strolled through the bustling market, capturing the vibrant tapestry of life in Saigon.

We then set off on foot to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Keep walking and cross the road. Be careful, though, as you can tell from the number of motorcycles parked in the alleys just how much traffic there is on the road.

The chaotic driving conditions leave drivers disoriented, and pedestrians like us even more confused.

After a long walk, we finally arrived at the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral.

Sigh! Sweat dripping down our faces in the sweltering heat, we force a smile.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

This church is considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam, attracting numerous tourists daily. Its colonial-style architecture features twin square towers, each 40 meters high, standing as a majestic landmark. In front of the church, a large white statue of the Virgin Mary, built in the late 1880s, stands prominently. The Romanesque-style architecture was designed by French architect J. Bourard.

We crossed the street to visit the church.

Open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Religious ceremonies are held on Sunday mornings. Please dress modestly when visiting.

The front of the church was crowded with tourists taking pictures.

In front of the church, there are rickshaws available for tourists. If you'd like to use their services, be sure to negotiate a fair price beforehand.

Across the street, you will find the Central Post Office, located next to Notre Dame Cathedral (just cross the street).

Let's just walk across.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

**Saigon Central Post Office**

One of the most beautiful post offices in the world, located near the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the building boasts colonial architecture with an ornate interior featuring arched roof structures and high ceilings. Visitors can explore the post office, send mail, purchase vintage stamps, and browse souvenirs. Open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

The identity of this elderly gentleman remains unknown, but he was observed engaging in friendly conversations with numerous tourists. His cheerful demeanor and welcoming attitude exemplified the qualities of an ideal host.

This place is bustling with tourists, mostly buying postcards to send to their loved ones. I sent a postcard back to Thailand too, and it was very affordable. If you're ever in Ho Chi Minh City, be sure to check this place out!

Outside, there are a fair amount of goods for sale. Like this uncle who is showing off his skills by balancing goods on his head, attracting quite a lot of tourists.

A lovely couple came to take their pre-wedding photos.

Wherever I go, I always seem to encounter scenes like this, and I can't help but capture them.

It seems that this happens on almost every trip...

We continued walking along the road, our destination fading into oblivion.

Are you also overwhelmed by the number of cars whizzing by?

We continued walking until we came across a public park.

This area is popular with young people who come to relax and stroll. There are also many food vendors in the vicinity.

Independence Palace

"ทำเนียบอิสรภาพ"

Formerly the seat of local government, the Independence Palace, constructed between 1962 and 1966, boasts stunning architecture and opulent interiors. The palace features distinct rooms, including the President's office, reception halls, and ministerial conference rooms. Visitors can also access the rooftop helipad for panoramic views.

Reading a book outdoors, relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.

It brought a smile to my face.

This place also offers a pork hotpot buffet. I'll have to try it next time.

After strolling around, we returned to Ban Thanh Market, where we had started, to catch a ride back to the airport.

We have some time to take pictures before it gets dark.

Along the sidewalks, numerous shoe repair shops line the streets, each with dedicated craftsmen meticulously attending to their work.

People here seem content with their simple way of life.

Relaxing on the car

If you plan to visit this place, be aware of the traffic. Motorcycles are used extensively here, to the point where they are almost ubiquitous. Even when walking on the designated pedestrian walkway, motorcycles will still come close. The most important thing is to be mindful and avoid distractions.

For sightseeing at major tourist attractions, it is recommended to walk as it allows you to appreciate the architecture, observe daily life, and experience the culture of Saigon. The attractions are not far apart, and by looking at a map, you can easily walk from one place to another without getting lost.

The provided text is an empty paragraph containing only a line break. As there is no actual content to translate, I cannot provide a translation in this instance.

Please provide a sentence or phrase that you would like me to translate.

We returned on the same bus route, and soon arrived at the airport. However, the marathon was not yet over.

We will have to spend the night at this airport to wait for our next flight, which is scheduled for around 4-5 AM.

While waiting at the airport, I stumbled upon a delicious Vietnamese noodle restaurant. The authentic flavors were truly remarkable, and I highly recommend trying it if you have the chance. As the night wore on, I continued to relax and pass the time until it was time to board my flight.

As darkness descended, we were sitting comfortably when the lights went out. Or rather, they were turned off! I've never encountered an airport that shuts off all its lights. The entire airport was plunged into darkness. My heart sank. Where did everyone go?

The original text describes a situation where the speaker is looking for the safest place to sleep. They notice a backpacker sleeping nearby and think to themselves that they could ask for help if anything happened.

Here's the translated text:

Trying to find the safest place to sleep. Luckily, there's a backpacker sleeping at a table not far from us. I thought to myself that if anything happened, I could probably ask them for help.

We dozed on and off until it was time to board the plane. We were incredibly dizzy, but we knew we would soon be in Taiwan. We decided to eat on the plane.

**Vietnam Airlines offers excellent service, delicious food, and spacious seats. Highly recommended.**

Tips for Visiting Ho Chi Minh City

1. Be mindful. Mindfulness should be with you. Walk carefully. There are millions of motorcycles.

2. Accustom yourself to the sound of horns. Let go and let be!

3. It is recommended to walk around because the places are not far from each other. This will allow you to soak in the atmosphere and way of life of the people here. Even though the weather is a bit hot, it is definitely worth it.

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English:

4. Be open-minded and always think positively.

Vietnam, a friendly country to Thailand, is easily accessible. Even those with limited time can visit. There are still many places waiting for tourists to visit. Don't let old stereotypes deter you from visiting, such as the fear of being cheated.

We believe that danger exists everywhere. Be open-minded, stay vigilant, and you will truly discover the **charm of travel**.

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