5 Days 4 Nights Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) , Vietnam

Besties had been travelling together for years. Our promises to go for an adventure at least once a year. That's how we build our mental illness together. Not insane but the way we describe our friendship. When you have intimate friends that come together like a family, you know you are pretty much stuck for life. Well...... better start sharing my journey in Saigon.

I will be sharing itinerary of my 5 days and 4 nights at Saigon and less on the spending. You may ask me personally for the expenses as we got ourselves tour guide to bring us around as the communication worries.

Ho Chi Minh or better known as Saigon among the locals is a place with much gem and treasure to be explore. Be bewildered, emotional and maybe partial disturbing due to their progression overcome war. High and low throughout the journey indeed BUT lesson learned. Experienced lead and historical that touched hearts.  

Upon arrival, airport is beyond great. Many thought that Saigon is a city that even mosquitoes doesn't lay eggs which is ABSOLUTELY WRONG! They are way beyond develop than where I stay. Be amazed, be surprised and get jaw dropping. 

If you wish to stay in touch and connected with friends and family at home, you can always get their local mobile services at the airport and they will assist you step by step in getting your sim card install. Calls with 5GB data with one month expiry only cost 100,000 VND.

_________________________________________________________________________________

CHU CHI TUNNELS

• approximately 3 hours from Saigon/Ho Chi Minh city
• local tour would be more convenient

There's a saying of Vietnamese during war. Walk without leaving footsteps, speak without voice and cook without smoke. That's how tough life was for them in order to survive.

Tried to crawl through the tunnel and 30m feels like 30km. It ain't no joke. Someone who is taller than 1.75m will have a hard time crawl through and probably won't be able to get exit the end.

 Traditional way of doing rice wrapper.

We get to enjoy tapioca fruit and tea which is inclusive in their ticket entrance. Eat and drink all you want especially their tea. You won't be able to get one once you step out of that door.

_________________________________________________________________________________

VUNG TAU

• Outskirt area where you get to enjoy sea breeze and religious attractions

Christ of Vung Tau, Vietnam

Climbing up 811 steps, along the way up you will be fascinated by the breathtaking view. Ignoring burden on shoulder, cracking old knees, we make our way up just to witness grand sight of Statue of Christ the Redeemer. It doesn't end there as we take another 133 steps up and reached its outstretched arms witnessing the most astonishing view of Ho Chi Minh city. Amazing!

However, there's rules and regulations that you will need to follow in order to be eligible to enter. The guard/security who's guarding the entrance will never have a specific measurement for the dress code. It all depends on the weather of his mood.

Don't get satisfied by just viewing this panoramic view of mine. You deserve a better picture from your own eye. The satisfaction lie between you when you get to undergo the whole adventure yourself.

Duc Me Bai Dau 

Wang Hai Guan Yin Temple

_________________________________________________________________________________

CITY TOUR

City Tour : (War Remnants Museum - Reunification Palace / Independence Palace - Ho Chi Minh City Hall - Notre Dame Cathedral - Saigon Central Post Office) - The Water Puppet Show

War Remnants Museum

Reunification Palace / Independence Palace

Ho Chi Minh City Hall

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Saigon Central Post Office

The Water Puppet Show

_________________________________________________________________________________

Night Market ( left right of Ben Thanh Market)

Our accommodation located at District 1, therefore this is our where about when we have no where to go. We are taking vinasun taxi all the time. It is about 40,000 - 45,000 VND per trip for a 7 seater car which we find reasonable. 

Walk around Ben Thanh Market ain't really as great as expected. As per the locals, that's place for tourists. Locals doesn't purchase anything there because they are rather expensive BUT we unintentionally found out the night market that were operating after Ben Thanh closed. Oh, just a friendly reminder that Ben Thanh only open from 7am to 7pm. 

Well, back to the night market which is more lively and hawker there are more negotiable for price. Items are rather similar but of course not that much varieties as them. Polish your bargain skill and ready for really cheap dirt items. Seller there are able to speak multilingual language and even dialect. They truly get me jaw dropping. Therefore, conversing non-english isn't work when you have a secret to be told because you never know who may have an ear that caught your words.




_________________________________________________________________________________

Saigon taught me more than I thought. I wish I had more time, more time to explore this rich country. A country that had so much to offer. Halong Bay, Hanoi & Phnom Penh which have their own attractions and beauty. I hope you find it interesting as I do when exploring through Saigon. Till then, adios!~