Ho Chi Min Vietnam Itinerary

 

"Will always be the Beautiful Saigon"
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Vietnam was more than I expected it to be. Once we explored I have appreciated each detail I saw. Though time was so limited and language barrier was evident but other than that the experience was memorable seeing how the country has preserved its natural beauty and it's culture. Majority of the people we met and spoke with are more than helpful with all smiles shared. The country's history is worth remembering, a touching story we have known. All these and more made me say how truly beautiful is Saigon.

We have now officially started our INDOCHINA BACKPACKING TRIP and  will be savoring each moment for the next 10 days.

Our first stop is Ho Chi Min Vietnam and we can't contain our excitement staying here for 

3 Days and 2 Nights.

Saigon now called Ho Chi Min is a 3 hour plane ride from Manila. It was a bumpy flight for us at night with so much turbulence in the last hour. We arrived at Vietnam around 1:30 AM and passed immigration quickly with no further questions. It has a 1 hour and half time difference from the Philippines.

Vietnam is VISA free for all ASEAN Nationals allowing us 21 days stay as tourist.

Thank GOD I am Asian!

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SAIGON VIETNAM

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

• 1st DAY 
• Check in at Houng Trinh Hotel at Saigon City Center Area >  Read more > > > > > 
• Sight Seeing and Familiarity of the City Area 
• Coffee and Tea Experience: Read more > > > > >
• Visit at Saigon Public Park
• Pho 24
• Strolling at Backpackers Road, Purchase souvenir items 
• Availed our City Tour Package
• Purchase Saigon to Siem Reap Bus Ticket
• Visit and shop at Behn Than Market
• 2nd DAY 

• City Tour c/o Vinh Agency: Visiting the Lady of Pagoda Temple, Chinatown,Souvenir Shop,War Remnants, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, visit at Lacquerware Factory, Reunification Palace: Read Story > > > > > 
• Highlands Coffee Night See more > > > > >
• Behn Than Night Market 

• 3rd DAY
• Border crossing from Saigon to Siem Reap via Mekong BUS Line: Read Story > > > > >

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EXPENSES

VIETNAM 2014
3D/2N
Accommodation		810
Houng Trinh Hotel@ Php 1,620/night
Day Tours/Entrances		500
City Tour c/o Vinh Agency plus Entrances
Border Cross c/o MekongBus Lines		1165
Travel Expenses within the City		135
Food		741
Shopping		1523
TOTAL	PESOS	4,874.0
Airfare & Contingency Allocation not included
Budgetted for a group of 4pax

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1st DAY 

Ho Chi Min VIETNAM

2:00 AM

We stayed in Don Muen Intl.Airport settled in their steel benches nearing the entrance while we wait for the daylight. A money exchange store is also open in the airport, but we were told that they already lack cash and we were advised to wait until 9:00 AM.

6:00 AM

A security officer approached us with a loud voice shouting "Get out". We woke up to that signal as we would need to stay out of the airport this time. We decided to just get a cab and look for our accommodation and find the nearest money exchange store.

Outside the building, locals would approach you of different transportation modes to send you to your location. 

Haggle is something you should master and making them understand what you want as majority of them don't speak straight English. Try harder to explain and make a great deal with rates. 

We approached 2 locals, in which we thought are Phillos but they were Vietnamese teenagers also waiting for a friend’s arrival in the Airport. They were very helpful and initiated everything for us including haggling, reminding us of the approximate fare based on our desired destination, and that we should just opt for taxi cabs instead of riding buses.

Finally we got 1 car to send us to our hotel at $14 for all 4 of us.

7:00 AM

We arrived in our Accommodation - Huong Trinh Hotel just fronting the public park and left our backpacks in the guesthouse. 

Met Trinh the owner of the hotel who suggested of a money exchange store nearby and to visit Highlands coffee for a more comfortable place to stay while we wait for our room availability.

Nearby our accommodation is the public park where we rested waiting for chances of an early occupancy. Here we get to relax and chill around while waiting for majority of the establishments to open. 

8:00 AM

Money Exchange - Fronting Benh Than Market Entrance gate. A reliable store suggested by the guesthouse owner. The store opens between 8AM - 6PM.

11:00AM

A taste of Vietnams "Pho"

We had our Brunch at Pho house, to savor the authentic Vietnamese local noodle soup.

Coffee and Tea Experience

We met Aunt Lao for a taste of the Vietnamese most authentic coffee. She helped us looked for our accommodation this morning so we decided to come back and visit her small sidewalk store.

12:30PM

HOUNG TRINH HOTEL

We finally settled in our Accommodation, a well-equipped room with everything we need and with a fast Wi-Fi access.

4:00PM

On our first day we have spent the whole day familiarizing the area of our location and have kept on walking around the vicinity to prepare everything that we need most especially sourcing out for Vietnam Dong, Day Tour Tickets and Bus Ride ticket going to Cambodia. 

It also gave me the opportunity for a photo walk taking pictures along the sidewalks with my new baby camera. 

To that moment I knew it was what I wanted to do, to travel more and take as much meaningful shots - that real fulfillment and happiness. 

We have purchased our City Tour Tickets c/o Vinh Guesthouse for the 2nd day’s activity and opted to get a day tour via agency to save us time and energy since the 3rd day will be a challenging trail embarking for a land trip going to Cambodia.

7:00PM
First official dinner backpacking Indochina
And who can't resist to drop by here. 

We opted to have our dinner at Mc Donalds, minus the rice serving. Still it will always be a happy meal for these happy lads.

After such an early rest for everyone for our first day of backpacking and a good night sleep in Vietnam.