Ho Chi Minh City is totally different with Hanoi or Halong. HCMC is more commercial district compare with Hanoi. You will understand what I mean after read this article hopefully.
You will arrived at SGN Tan Son Nhat Airport if you are on your flight to HCMC. This is an international airport and located not far from the city. Be patient cause the immigration is not divide by passport but all passport together, so the Q is so long.
If you need Vietnam SIM card, personally I booked via klook.com and get it on arrival hall just by showing QR code. I bought 30 days 2GB everyday card for around IDR 200k, and it works perfectly.
Don't forget to prepare Vietnam Dong, as in HCMC they only receive Dong, different with Hanoi that they prefer use RMB.
For transportation in HCMC, nothing to choose for us who cant speak Vietnamese, just use Grab. Thats it!
But don't worry the tourist point is all nearby by walking distance. One thing you should prepare is the weather is so hot and humid, more than Jakarta.
Anyway if you don't know, before this city called Saigon and then change the name to Ho Chi Minh City on 1976 to celebrate the reunification of North & South at the end of Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh is the communist revolutionary leader who is credited with uniting the country.
Read my previous post talking about Ho Chi Minh story by click here!
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
It's really beautiful building established by French colonist that constructed between 1863 & 1880 and it reach height of 58 meters with two bells. When I visit there is misa inside so visitor is prohibited to enter.
All building material were imported from France and outside wall was built with bricks from Toulouse, although the contractor didn't use coated concrete, these bricks have retained their bright red color until today.
Ohmy, after read the history now I feel amazed and understand why everyone want to visit it.
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| Notre Dame HCM also famous with 紅教堂 |
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| I think that is building restoration on the right and left building |
Saigon Central Post Office
Just in front of the Notre Dame, you will see this classic building and it is the Saigon Central Post Office. You can enter in to the building to send post card or buy some souvenirs. It's FREE of entrance fee and many things to see.
This building was constructed when Vietnam still part of French Indochina in the late of 19th century, between 1886-1891.
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| Saigon Central Post Office |
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| Ho Chi Minh picture in the center |
Anyway there are 2 maps that describe 1892 Vietnam map as below picture. So meaningful this building is.
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| Map on right side : Saigon and its surroundings 1892 |
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| Map on left side : Telegraphic lines of Southern Vietnam & Cambodia 1892 |
Randomly I found a small street with book exhibition and book store beside the post office after McD, not sure what it called but if you like book kinda things, I'm sure you will like it.
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| Until now, I still don't know what is this but there is so many media in that time also overseas reporter |
Independence Palace Ho Chi Minh
This is the home and workplace of South Vietnam's President during Vietnam war, before Vietnam become one. It's also called Reunification Hall as in November 1975 negotiation between communist North Vietnam and their colleagues in South Vietnam was complete here.
It located by 15 minutes walking distance from post office and entrance fee is VND 40k for adult.
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| This is the coffee shop in front of Independence Palace, quiet nice |
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| The Independence Palace itself |
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| Inside palace you can see many hall that former President use to receive guest, this one is the example |
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| You also can experience to B1 for bunker area, that President use to avoid enemy |
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| Randomly I loved the floor pattern |
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| Anyway in bunker the aisle is so small and many direction its to confuse enemy when they enter |
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| and this unique stairs is going to President's room |
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| Excuse me, let me pose please! |
Saigon Skydeck - Bitexco Financial Tower
Well, the reason I'm getting here because of The World of Heineken. I tempted with the souvenir, which personalized Heineken beer bottle with our name on it. So, I book my ticket on klook.com again, please make sure you book the ticket is Saigon Sky Deck & Heineken World as its two different things.
Quickly change your booking code with physical ticket on the entrance that have Heineken World poster on it.
Observation deck is on 49th floor you can go directly by elevator and have full 360 degree view of HCMC.
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| This is the physical ticket, hand band ticket is use to change beer & snack in Heineken world. And for Heineken world they will give you the time when we can goes to 60th floor, gate start on 15:00 |
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| You see that honeycomb house and building, now I'm sure I'm at Vietnam! |
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| Saigon river cruise, my friend said its quiet interesting to try, next time maybe |
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| Bitexco helipad on above |
Heineken World Ho Chi Minh
The only Heineken world in Asia is here and the highest place to enjoy Heineken on Bitexco floor 60th.
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| 2 beer 1 water and 1 chips on this band is ready to take you to floor 60th, elevator from floor 49th |
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| They talking about Heineken history, which Heineken is the family name |
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| Talking about Heineken ingredients, then we have 4d tour how Heineken made |
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| Heineken logo have 2 smiling 'e' on it, that red star means its the best quality |
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| This is the souvenir we can bring home, a bottle of bir with name on it |
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| Enjoy your beer! |
Personally I do not like beer so much, but I really enjoy this experience. Anyway if you see that Grab helmet there so he is a Korean that bought that helmet as souvenir and wearing it on his head, I thought he is a Grab driver before. Haha. But after have talk with them then, I totally wrong.
Saigon Opera House
My friends said its a good place to visit, but sadly I dont have any time to see even one opera inside. For sure I'll be back. I see the picture on google, its interior is so classic and interesting. You should give a try if you have chance!
Cafe Apartment 咖啡公寓
I know this one is famous in Taiwanese. So this is an old apartment building and renovate into restaurant and cafe inside. You can pay for VND 3000 to use the elevator and see each cafe from floor to floor before decide. Mostly people will choose cafe with balcony and good view, but most of the cafe is only drink and small bites.
As we are in rush for AC and hungry. We goes to this small restaurant called Hello Saigon. Surprisingly delicious, we spend around VND 70k for this one.
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| That sexy pork! |
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| And Xing Fu Tang is just on the right side without Q |
Ben Thanh Market
This is the famous tourist point in HCMC. Its kinda old traditional market which sell souvenir, clothes, food, and more. Personally I didn't bought anything here cause I hate bargaining, but you have choice on the entrance area for FIX PRICE AREA, it looks more reasonable price if you are on going to bought something from Vietnam.
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| Ben Thanh Market |
Well, if you want to visit all of this point I mentioned, all is by walking distance. But be careful Vietnam vehicle is so crowded and its hard to cross the road. And also by walking distance there are some shopping mall if you want to have AC before heading to next stop. I recommend Takashimaya Ho Chi Minh, cause across the mall there are also shopping building but I forget the name.
If you want to try some Vietnam souvenirs, you can try Vinamit dried fruit, G7 coffee, Vinacoffee, and durian pie. Personally I suggest you to purchase on local supermarket, without bargain and also for durian pie there is so many fake one. So better to purchase on supermarket.
So long, Vietnam! Hope we meet again, soon!
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