HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM

South East Asian Tour (Part 2)

DAY 1 (March 29, 2012-Thur) MANILA, PHIL

Flight:
We had a flight via Cebu Pacific at around 11pm on March 29 and arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 1am on March 30 (Fri) (Fare: Php 926 or USD 29.53)

DAY 2 (March 30, 2012-Fri) HO CHI MINH (SAIGON) CITY, VIETNAM

Taxi:

We had a terrible experience during our first day in this city. Taxi drivers don't usually use their meter, instead they will give a fixed price to your desired destination. The driver who brought us to our hotel sucks! He asked us to pay $10 then after we got off the taxi he was now asking for $15. This driver seemed that he was not able to understand English, since no one could help us so late at night, we just didn't mind it even we tried to argue.

Accommodation:
Sunny Hotel- $21 a night for 2 with a very plain breakfast (a cup of local coffee, 2-pc sunny-side-up egg and 1 pc of baguette)

 

Tourist Sites

- walking tour that can be done for one whole day
1. Ben Than Market- free attraction
 One of the must-visit destinations in Saigon is Ben Tanh Marker. This is a large marketplace where you can buy souvenir shirts, traditional vietnamese clothes, accessorries, and different flavor of Vietnamese coffee in reasonable price. You can easily see it with the belfry and a clock on its entrance just walking distance from the Pham Ngu Lao Road. 

Admission: free

2. Ho Chi Minh City Museum- entrance fee is 15,000 VND, opens daily 8-5pm
This houses some artifacts, dioramas of typical Vietnamese life a few decades ago, Vietnam war, and people when they got their independence, and paintings made by their well-known artists.
Tips:
*The museum is actually not airconditioned, so expect that it will be hot inside.
*Basically, I was astounded that there were few staffs looking after the place. In fact, they were not that strict to visitors taking photos of things inside, that's why we had a chance to take some. 

 (this is how the ticket looks like)
 

(brochure)

Location: Hồ Chí Minh City Museum is a historical site in Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. The museum is situated at the corner of Lý Tự Trọng and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa streets, near Reunification Palace, originally known as Independence Palace.
Admission: 15,000 VND or USD0.71 

opens daily 8-5pm

3. Ho Chi Minh City Hall (not open to the public, free attraction) you can take a photo at the gate but you have to ask a permission 1^st

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"Constructed b/w 1902 & 1908

Location: Facing Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dis 1."

4. General Post Office (Buu Dien)- free attraction

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"You can see the huge map of Vietnam on the main entrance and portrait of Uncle Ho in the rear

- specialty stamps counter has some great collector sets for sale

Location: 2 Coq Xu Paris, Dis 1

Open: daily, 6:30am to 10pm."

souvenirs at the post office

5. Notre Dame Cathedral- free attraction

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"The neo-Romanesque cathedral was constructed b/w 1877 -1883 using bricks from Marcilles & stained glass windows from Charters.

Location: near the intersection of Dong Khoi and Nguyen Du streets, Dis 1

Open: Mon-Sat, 8-10:30 am and 3-4pm."

6. War Remnants Museum-

 I was pretty excited to visit the museum because for one reason, the place will cool us down from a scorching heat coming from a half-day travel outside, and to my surprise i was not prepared emotionally to witness the tragic history of vietnam war. As what other tourists mostly from different parts of the world reacted, some felt mad toward American soldiers and others sympathized to millions of war victims. The museum is a vivid collection of brutal torture, the excruciating memories that people may have been carrying until they die, and the struggle of most victims with physical disabilities, some are amputees while others suffer from mental problems. One floor is designated for things used during the war such as guns and bullets with different sizes, and some description of chemical for mass destruction of the lands and people of Vietnam. Right in front of the museum, you can see memorabilias of helicopter, jet planes, and canons used during the war.

(brochure)

Location: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Admission: VND 10,000 or USD .48

Market:

-You must haggle the price
Ben Than Market
1. 3 pcs of magnetic Ms Saigon souvennir- 23,000 VND

2. 10-pc key chain- 67,000 VND

3. 1 pc of Ms Saigon figurine- 23,000 VND

4. 1 pc of ceramic magnetic- 7,000 VND

5. 2-pc ceramic magnetic- 23,000 VND

 

6. Souvenir Shirt- 70,000 VND

Food & Beverage:
1. Baguette- with ham of your choice and some garnishing (12,000 to 15,000 VND)

2. Bottled mineral water (1L)- 8,000 VND

3. A box of coffee- 25 pcs (60,000) originally at 44,000 VND

Restaurant or Fastfood:
1. Lotteria (a Korean-based fastfood) 

It is a korean-based fastfood chain, more famous in this country rather than on its own.The first time I tried this, particularly the unique taste and spice of Teriyaki burger in Seoul was in 2005. It even got more scrumptious and spicier when I tried these meals in Saigon seen on photo.

H&S Chicken Ball Rice- 40,000 VND + cold milk tea (price is not included)

2. Pho (Vietnamese noodles)

A bowl of noodles with drinks- 56,000 VND (must try this in Vietnam)

PHO (VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP)
Tried authnetic Vietnamese noodle in PHo Hai Thien Restaurant, located at the city centre of Saigon.
Price:
Tainam Vien with free lemon and silantro- VND 45,000 or USD 2.14
Pho Bo Vien with free lemon or silantro- VND 38,000 or USD 1.81 
Pennywort- VND 20,000 or USD 0.98

Currency:
Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Bus:
(From Ho Chi Minh City to Pnom Penh, Cambodia)
Fare: $10 (Php 430) with free mineral water

The first trip is at 7 in the morning. 

 

BANGKOK, THAILAND

 South East Asian Tour (Part 2)

Took a bus in Siem Reap, Cambodia at around 2am and arrived in Bangkok, Thailand at 1:00pm (11 hours). The fare was $12 (Php 516).
We got off at Victory Monument Skytrain Station and took a train going to Nana Station for 35Baht (Php 49) for our accommodation in Royal Asia Hotel.

Review: The ticket personnel were very accommodating and helpful for tourists like us. Some are conversant in English but a few were not. And if you think that the personnel has not given you exact details you wanted, then you can ask the guard on duty usually seen in and out of the station's entrance. The train is very spacious, well-lit, and well-ventilated. It has several safety hand rails on both sides and even right in front of the train entrance, a few feet away from the door. Well, of course most stations are congested with passengers during the peak or rush hours particularly at around 8 am, lunch time, and around 5 pm. Besides, each train station may or may not have elevators going up, so you really have to use the  stairs with more than 20 steps. That's a lot of walking, but you have to stand it or else you will just be stuck in a typical Bangkok's view of bumper to bumper traffic.
Accommodation:
Royal Asia Lodge Hotel- $26 (Php 1118) a night with buffet breakfast (we stayed there for 2 nights)
Address:
91 Soi 8 Off Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Website: http://www.royalasialodge.com/

Buffet Breakfast at Royal Asia Lodge

Review: When we took a look at the photos and location of the hotel in Google, it seemed that it was near the main road. Then, we just realized how far the hotel was during our 1st day there. Also, the building itself is a bit old which can evidently be seen on their interiors including  computers on the lobby, the elevator, and the reception area. Not only that, some pipes are leaking, water from the air-condition is dripping, and toilet water is somewhat cold. However, the service is average because of some good points. One there is the tuktuk service which will bring you to the main road where you can see the train station nearest to the street for free. They respond quickly fast to your needs. One more thing that I like about their service is the breakfast. They have meals for westerners, cuisine for Asians, and others. You can see those meals from the photos above.
 Tourist Sites:
1. Vimanmek Mansion Museum- entrance fee is 100 Baht (Php 140) (must wear a sarong if you're not wearing jeans)

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"Built in 1901 by King  Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) as the Celestial Residence, this beautiful golden-teakwood mansion was restored in 1982  for Bangkok’s bicentennial and was reopened by Queen Sirikit as a private museum with a collection of the royal family’s memorabilia.

- in intriguing and informative 1-hr tour takes you through a series of apartments and rooms (of which there are 81 of all) in what is said to be the largest teak building in the world- the thought of all that gorgeous teakwood is staggering.

- The original Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall houses a display of Thai handicrafts, and nine other buildings north of the mansion display photographs, clocks, fabrics, royal, carriages, and other regalia.

Location: 193/2 Ratchavitee Rd., Dusit Palace grounds (opposite the Dusit Zoo, north of the Nat’l Assembly Bldg)

Website: www.vimanmek.com

Time: Daily 9am-4pm (ticket office closes at 3:15pm)"

2. Wat Benchamabohit (Marble Temple)- the admission fee is 20 Baht (Php 28)

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"Because of the white Carrara marble from which it’s constructed, is an early-20^th-century temple designed by Prince Narai, the half brother of Rama V

- it’s the most modern and one of the most beautiful of Bangkok’s royal wats.

- in the early mornings, monks chant in the main chapel, sometimes so intensely that it seems as if the temple is going to lift off.

Location: Si Ayutthaya Rd. (south of the Assembly Bldg. Near Chitralada Palace)

Price: 20B (60 cents) P25.2

Time: Daily 8am – 5:30pm"

 
3. Wat Saket (Golden Mount)- free attraction (you can donate)

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"Is easily recognized by its golden chedi atop a fortresslike hill near the pier for Bangkok’s east-west klong ferry. That wat was restored by King Rama I, and 30,000 bodies were brought here during a plague in the reign of Rama II.

- Every late Oct to mid-Nov (for 9 days around the full moon). Wat Saket hosts Bangkok’s most important temple fair, when the Golden Mount is wrapped with red cloth and a carnival erupts around it, with food and trinket stalls, theatrical performances, freak shows, animal circuses, and other monkey business.

Location: Ratchadamnoen Klang and Boripihat roads

Time: Daily 9am-5pm."

4. Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing- free attraction (you can donate)

(this is how the ticket looks like)

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"It houses a beautiful 14^th-century Phra Buddha Shakyamuni that was brought from, and the ashes of King Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol, brother of the current king, are contained in its base.

Location: Sao Chingcha Sq. (near the intersection of Bamung Muang and Ti Thong roads)

Time: Daily 9am-9pm."

5. Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)- the entrance fee is 120Baht (Php 168)
Tip: You have to take off  your shoes or any footwear upon entering the temple. 
At the other end of the statue (head side), you can see some small bowls with tiny coins that cost 20B. You have to use these coins and put them in a long line of big bowls, located at the wall of the temple facing the reclining buddah. This series of bowls will end at the opposite end of the temple then after consuming all the coins you can now make a wish.

Frommer's (6th ed.)

- was built by Rama I in the 16^th century and is the oldest and the largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok.

- most people go straight to the enormous Reclining Buddha in the northern section.

- It is more than 46m  (151 ft) long and 16m (53ft) high, and was built during the mid 19^th century reign of Rama III. Behind the Buddha, a line of 108  bronze bowls, each also representing one of the laksanas, awaits visitors to drop coins  (acquired nearby for a 20B (55 cents) donation for luck.

Location: Maharat Rd., near the river (about 1 km south of the Grand Palace

Time: daily, 8am – 5pm

Market:
Patpong Night Market
Review: This area is not fully-concentrated on selling souvenirs and other interesting Bangkok products but it is surrounded with various establishments such as pubs or bars with some not-so-ordinary services. A lot of men who stay by the door of the bars show pictures of sexy ladies who at times, give other kind of pleasure like sex. Thus, be cautious with talking to these people because they you might end up here than buy your stuffs in the night market.
1. Vintage shirts- 150 Baht (Php 210) (the lowest price)

Tip: Merchants will give you a price that starts at 300B per shirt, but you can make it half by consistent haggling. If the seller doesn't take your bid, then leave and find another store that can give your desired cost.

2. Magnetic: 4pcs 100 Baht (Php 140)
Tip: You can haggle the price.

3. Shot glass for 2 pcs- 200 Baht (Php 280)
Tip: You can haggle the price.

4. Starbuck's demitasse- 1 demitasse set for only Baht 320 (Php 448)

5. Wooden bookmark- 3 pcs for 100 Baht (Php 140)

Food:
at the hawker
1. Chicken meal with side dish- 50Baht (Php 70)

2. 1 pack of sliced green mango- 20 Baht (Php 28)  (vendor)
3. 1 pack of sliced pineapple-20 Baht (Php 28) (vendor)

Bus
-Took an aircon bus to Sky train- 12Baht (Php 16.8)

Skytrain
- advisable mode of transpo in BK- 30Baht (Php 42) for 6-7 stations

Express train to the airport (20 min)
(instead of the ordinary Skytrain which takes 45 min to reach the airport)
Tip: You have to check the schedule because the train arrives every 20 to 30 minutes.
- 90 Baht (Php 126)

this is how the ticket looks like

(front)

(back)

Currency:
Tip:  The value of exchanging your money from USD to Baht is low at the airport. You can exchange a few for taxi or bus fare then exchange the rest  to any accredited money changers at the city center or in the mall

Baht

Flight:

We flew back to Manila all the way from Bangkok International Airport via Cebu Pacific Airlines USD 110.18 (Php 4738)
Tip:  If any of your gadget battery got empty, you can recharge them to any charging kiosks or plug them in on areas near the computer access for public.