The Little One: 3 Days 2 Nights Backpack Adventure in Vietnam, Discovering the Charm of Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam: A Popular Destination for Thai Travelers

Vietnam has become a popular destination for Thai travelers, with its close proximity, affordability, and cultural similarities making it an attractive choice.

We were fortunate to be selected from the KTC World activity in collaboration with Thai Vietjet Air and Accor Hotels, titled "KTC Real Team 47: Xin Chao Vietnam, Experience the Charm of 3 Beautiful Cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang." Three teams were chosen to travel to one city each. We were one of the winning teams and had the opportunity to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This activity included round-trip flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City on Thai Vietjet Air and accommodation at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, an Accor hotel. We would like to express our gratitude to KTC World for organizing this wonderful activity, which allowed us to experience international travel.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: A City Steeped in History and Stories Awaits Your Exploration

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam and was once the capital of South Vietnam. This vibrant metropolis is brimming with stories and historical significance, offering a captivating experience for any traveler.

From iconic landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office to poignant reminders of the Vietnam War, such as the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City provides a unique blend of cultural immersion and historical reflection.

Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City is convenient with daily flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The time zone in Ho Chi Minh City is the same as Bangkok, eliminating the need for adjusting your watch.

Vietjet Air is the first airline in Vietnam to offer a low-cost concept for international flights. Headquartered in Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam, it operates from four hubs. Vietjet Air's slogan is "Bay la thich ngay!", which means "Enjoy flying!". Vietjet Air offers three classes of seats:
-Promo Class
-Eco Class
-SkyBoss Class

For Vietjet Air,

Friends can book tickets through the website >>https://www.vietjetair.com/Sites/Web/th-TH/Home
or contact the Customer Service Center at 02-089-1909.

We arrived at Ho Chi Minh City Airport at 1 pm. We had to take a bus to the city to get to our hotel. It took about 30 minutes from the airport to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel where we were staying.

The Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
It is also close to the landmarks we will be visiting on foot. We received a warm welcome and the staff were all very friendly.

The bedroom of the accommodation was beautifully decorated. We checked in and will be staying here for the 2 nights of our trip.

Thank you very much for the welcome drink from the hotel.

The Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel offers not only beautifully appointed and spacious rooms, but also a full range of amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, massage rooms, and much more, to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all guests.

Saigon River Cruise and Monkey Island Day Trip

After checking into our hotel, we set out to find a 1-day tour for the next day. We found two tours: a Saigon River cruise with dinner on board for 700,000 VND (approximately 1,000 Thai baht) per person, and a day trip to Monkey Island by van with a guide for the second day.

Tonight's Plan:

• Saigon River Cruise:
  • Depart from the hotel at 6:00 PM with a guide.
  • Cruise from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
  • Set dinner included in the tour price.
  • Drinks are not included, so be aware of additional costs.
  • Enjoy the beautiful views of the Saigon River, comparable to the Chao Phraya River in Thailand.

Tomorrow's Plan:

• Monkey Island Day Trip:
  • Details to be confirmed.

We look forward to experiencing the Saigon River and Monkey Island!

The boat will take us on a round trip and drop us off at the original location. While we are eating on the boat, which is sailing, there will be a local performance. I must say, the Vietnamese girls are absolutely stunning.

After the cruise, the boat returned to its original dock. Our dinner on the boat was over. It was time to return to the hotel to rest and recharge for the next morning. The hotel was not far from the pier, about 2 kilometers away. We walked back to the hotel, enjoying the scenery along the way. We arrived at our accommodation soon after.

Good night.

This morning, we have an appointment with a guide who will pick us up at 7:30 AM to go to Monkey Island. The journey by van from the city to Monkey Island is approximately 75 km and takes 2.5 hours. But before we head to Monkey Island, we will refuel at the hotel's lower level. There is a buffet service for hotel guests, offering a wide variety of dishes to choose from and unlimited refills.

After breakfast, we waited for the guide to pick us up and take us to Monkey Island. After a van ride, we arrived at the pier where we had to load the van onto a raft to cross to the island. Then, we had to take a van ride to the monkey village for about 45 minutes.

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Monkey Island is home to hundreds of monkeys. However, the highlight of this island is not just the monkeys. Inside the mangrove forest, there is an old military camp from the Vietnam War. It was used as an ambush point for American soldiers and as a supply point by boat due to its proximity to the sea. Today, it is open to tourists, but it takes about 10 minutes by boat to get there.

The former military camp recreates the past for visitors to experience. It features statues of Vietnamese soldiers engaged in various activities, such as planning battles, holding meetings, setting ambushes, and preparing food.

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After visiting Monkey City and the old military camp, our guide took us to a seafood market for lunch.

After that, we had lunch at a beachfront resort, which was included in the trip cost.

Then the guide took us back to the hotel. We arrived at the hotel around 5:00 PM. We went up to the hotel's swimming pool to enjoy the view and waited for the sunset from the rooftop. From this angle, we could see the evening lights of Ho Chi Minh City, which was truly beautiful. Besides us, there were other hotel guests swimming and enjoying the cool atmosphere and gentle sunlight. It was a truly amazing experience.

Besides us, there were other hotel guests swimming in the cool atmosphere and gentle sunlight. It was incredibly enjoyable.

After enjoying the view, we returned to our room and then went to the sauna.

After a long day of exploring, there's nothing quite like unwinding in the hotel's complimentary sauna, followed by a refreshing dip in the cool pool. It's the perfect way to end a day of adventure. Sweet dreams!

A Morning in Ho Chi Minh City

The morning of the 3rd began with a plan to explore the landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City. As mentioned earlier, these landmarks were conveniently located near our hotel, within walking distance. Before embarking on our exploration, we decided to fuel up with the complimentary breakfast provided by the hotel.

After recharging our batteries, we set off to explore the landmarks.

Our first stop is the Central Post Office, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, opposite the Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in 1896 and completed in 1901, the post office is a French-designed and constructed building. It is the largest post office in Vietnam and is currently open to tourists. Inside, there are several souvenir shops.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Located in the heart of the city on Han Thuyen Street, Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed between 1877 and 1883. Unlike other Christian churches, it lacks stained glass due to damage sustained during World War II. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the most magnificent churches in Vietnam, attracting numerous tourists daily. Visiting Ho Chi Minh City without taking a picture with this iconic landmark is almost unthinkable. While undergoing renovations during our visit, the facade remained accessible for photography. In the evenings, the area surrounding the cathedral comes alive with food vendors offering delicious treats for hungry tourists.

Point 3: Opera House

Located on Le Loi Street, the Opera House was built in 1859 for opera performances. However, it later served as the headquarters of the South Vietnamese National Assembly. Today, it continues to function as a theater, hosting diverse performances each week.

During the evenings, the area around the Opera House remains lively, especially the fountain square. Vietnamese and international visitors gather here every night to relax and socialize. Looking beyond the fountain, one can see the Nha Hat Thanh Pho (Municipal Theater), facing Dong Khoi Street, situated between the Caravelle Hotel and the Continental Hotel.

Point 4
City Hall
Ho Chi Minh City Hall, also known as Saigon City Hall, is a significant landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Located on Ho Chi Minh Square, Le Thanh Ton Street, it is within walking distance of the Opera House (less than 10 minutes). The building features a colonial architectural style. Currently, it is not open to the public for interior visits as it serves as the local government office. However, tourists can still admire and photograph the exterior.

Independence Palace

The Independence Palace, a historical landmark from the Vietnam War era, offers guided tours of its state rooms, war planning rooms, and war-related artifacts. Admission is 40,000 VND (approximately $60 THB) per person.

And finally,
Ben Thanh Market is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, offering a wide variety of goods, including clothing, luggage, backpacks, watches, souvenirs, food, spices, fresh produce, and flowers. Prices are reasonable, making it a great place to pick up souvenirs. However, be sure to bargain hard before making a purchase.

After exploring the city's landmarks, it was time for us to head to the airport for our flight back to Bangkok. Similar to our arrival, we took the bus back to the airport, which cost 20,000 VND per person.

It took us about 30 minutes to get to the airport by bus.
On the way back, we also returned with the same airline, Vietjet Air.

This was our first trip abroad, and it was an eye-opening experience. Vietnam is a fascinating country that can be easily explored in a short 3-day, 2-night trip. The culture is not too different from ours, and the cost of living is affordable, comparable to domestic travel. We went as a couple and exchanged 3,000 baht each, which was just enough for the trip (excluding airfare and accommodation). Our review only captures a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh City's charm. We highly recommend experiencing it firsthand. For those planning a trip, do your research and prepare well. We guarantee you'll fall in love with this city.

Finally, I would like to thank Ktc world for providing us with new experiences.
Thank you Thai Vietjet Air for the round-trip air tickets.
Thank you Sofitel hotels saigon plaza for the accommodation and delicious food for 3 days and 2 nights.


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We will see you again on the next trip.