Vietnam 4 Days 3 Nights: Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam 4 Days 3 Nights

Total trip cost: 8,400 baht

• Round-trip airfare Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh City: 3,590 baht

• Expenses in Vietnam: 4,810 baht

Breakdown of expenses:

• Day 2: Our journey began very early in the morning as we took a sleeper bus from Mui Ne to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at 5:00 AM when everything was still dark.

Upon exiting the vehicle, we were immediately surrounded by a swarm of local motorcycle taxi drivers. Despite our desire to explore the city on foot, they persisted in their attempts to solicit our business, even following us a considerable distance from the vehicle. We ultimately decided to leave the area to avoid their relentless pursuit.

The morning atmosphere here is bustling, with many restaurants opening early. The most common breakfast options include congee with youtiao and coffee shops.

The path I walked revealed a multitude of art galleries, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

After walking for a while, I came across Pham Ngu Lao Street. It's similar to Khao San Road in Thailand, a vibrant street with a lively atmosphere. When I arrived, it was around 5:30 AM, and most of the establishments were already closed for the night.

After walking until almost 6 am, we were looking for a place to sit down and wash our faces and brush our teeth. We came across this shop, a 24-hour coffee shop. Let's take a look at the atmosphere.

After a restful night and a fully charged phone, it was morning and time to continue exploring. The early morning atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City was already bustling, with cars filling the streets. It had a certain charm to it.

Small mom-and-pop stores are ubiquitous along the roadside. These stores are much easier to find than convenience stores.

Lost in A Serendipitous Encounter with JSC Saigon Railway Transport

My initial destination was the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a captivating Catholic church lauded on Google. From the cozy confines of this morning's café, Google Maps indicated a mere 2-kilometer journey. However, a twist of fate led me astray, culminating in an unexpected encounter with JSC Saigon Railway Transport, Vietnam's national railway operator.

The architectural elegance of the building captivated my attention, prompting me to capture its essence through photography. This serendipitous detour offered a glimpse into the heart of Vietnam's transportation infrastructure, a realm often overlooked by the casual traveler.

Before reaching our intended destination, we took a wrong turn and stumbled upon a landmark we were planning to visit later, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. We decided to stop and take some photos. This unexpected encounter led us to the Hồ Chí Minh City Hall, the local government building of Ho Chi Minh City. The City Hall is located behind the statue of Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh, in the middle of Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street.

The Hồ Chí Minh City Hall was constructed between 1902 and 1908 to serve as the city's town hall. The building's design reflects French architecture, featuring a central clock tower flanked by two prominent structures. The arched doorways and windows are adorned with Greek columns and delicate stuccowork. In 1975, the building was converted into the People's Council. The Hồ Chí Minh City Hall is widely regarded as the most stunning city hall in Ho Chi Minh City.

On the other side of the street is Ho Chi Minh Square (Tran Nguyen Hai Statue), where a majestic statue of former President Ho Chi Minh stands tall. The area boasts a spacious plaza with a beautiful fountain, offering a captivating sight. In the evening, the fountain's illumination with colorful lights creates a stunning ambiance. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay until nightfall to witness this spectacle.

The more I walk, the more I enjoy it. I get to see the diverse lifestyles of the Vietnamese people. The street vendors here are similar to those in our country, but what's more advanced here is that they sell their goods right in the middle of the intersection. If someone wants to buy something, they just stop their car right there. Wow, that's amazing.

At long last, we arrived at the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a magnificent Catholic church built in 1877. Modeled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in France, it took six years to construct during the French colonial era. Unfortunately, we arrived during renovations and were unable to photograph the interior. However, the exterior was still breathtaking.

The front of Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, with its abundance of pigeons, offers another excellent spot for relaxation.

Next to the Catholic church is another great photo spot: the Saigon Central Post Office. This magnificent French colonial-style yellow building boasts a blend of Gothic and Eastern architectural influences. It is the largest post office in Vietnam and was built in 1896.

The side of the Saigon Central Post Office is adorned with a small garden and beautifully placed statues, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of scenes from a movie.

The interior is spacious and beautifully decorated with antique nautical charts and a central portrait of former President Ho Chi Minh. This central post office also offers a range of services, including sending letters, selling stamps, and providing postcards for collection or sending to loved ones. Additionally, there are souvenirs available for purchase.

After reaching our first destination, it was time to find something to eat. Since we were in Vietnam, we decided to try Banh Mi, or Vietnamese sandwiches. Choosing a street food stall that didn't have many reviews was a bit of a gamble. However, this time, I seemed to be lucky. The food at this stall was delicious. It was located near the Chi cục Bảo vệ Môi trường, or the city government office.

I was enjoying my delicious meal when my partner secretly took a picture of me. Since they already took it, I might as well post it.

After finishing our meal, we came across this place. This is the City Opera House, a magnificent French colonial-style building, one of the most beautiful in Vietnam. Built in 1897 by French architect Eugene Ferret, it was used for opera performances for the French and Vietnamese upper classes who were loyal to France during the French occupation of Vietnam. On the day we visited, there was a performance, but unfortunately, I was unable to watch it because I had already booked a flight to the next city.

The City Opera House is beautifully decorated, and this street is also lined with art galleries. Even as I was standing there taking pictures, an old man on a motorbike approached us and tried to offer us special services. (I don't recommend it, as I've read many warnings online about gangs that lure tourists into secluded areas to rob them. Be careful.)

Finally, we walked back to Ho Chi Minh Square (Tran Nguyen Hai Statue) to reach our destination: The Cafe Apartment. This old apartment building has been transformed into a multi-story cafe complex with 9 floors. The elevator ride costs 3,000 VND. It's recommended to go to the top floor first and then choose a cafe from there (I'll provide a more detailed description of the interior later).

After a long rest at The Cafe Apartment, it was almost time for me to travel to the next city. I left The Cafe Apartment and immediately went to the airport by Garb Car to check in for my flight. After checking in for my flight, I had some time left, so I quickly booked a train ticket for my return trip in advance. The train station is not far from the city center. If it is not convenient, it is easier to book through the website, but the price is higher.

https://www.vietnamtrain.com/

Website for booking trains in Vietnam.

The train station here is quite old, and the service is not very good. In fact, it's almost as if they don't care about their customers at all. By the time I finally managed to get my train ticket, it was almost time for my flight to leave, so I had to rush back to the airport to make it on time.

It was time to board the plane, and I arrived just in time with a few minutes to spare. However, as I stood in the long queue for the domestic Vietnamese airline, a terrible incident occurred. Someone, likely Chinese judging by their accent, cut in line with a group of almost 20 people. I was furious and pulled them out in front of the passport control officer, placing my passport for inspection immediately. I then turned to the group and told them to get in line. They protested loudly, but the officer was excellent and sent them to the back of the queue before smiling at me. I couldn't tolerate such slow service and blatant line-cutting. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll explore the third city on day 3 and review two restaurants in Vietnam.

Expenses for Day 2

Coffee: Leo Coffee & Tea - 40,000 VND Banh Mi: 15,000 VND Macha Tea: Delight Kafe & Tea - 75,000 VND Grab Car (Nguyen Hue Walking Street - Airport): 82,000 VND Airport Fee: 10,000 VND Flight (Vietjet): 960 Baht (purchased in advance from website) Grab Car (Airport - Train Station): 51,000 VND Airport Fee: 10,000 VND Train Ticket (Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh): 611,000 VND Street Food: 50,000 VND Grab Car (Train Station - Airport): 61,000 VND Airport Fee: 10,000 VND

Total expenses for Day 2 at Ho Chi Minh City:

• Personal expenses: 791,000 VND
• Shared expenses: 224,000 VND / 2 = 112,000 VND
• Total: 903,000 VND (approximately 1,240 Baht)

Combined with the pre-purchased flight ticket, the total cost is 2,200 Baht.

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City: What are you waiting for?

Safe zone to make friends, travel, and backpack for 4 days and 3 nights.