A good friend of my husband, Rio, who likes to travel a lot, shared his experience when he visited Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. We were so fascinated by his story, decided to plan a trip to Vietnam. The country, where the majority of the people doesn’t speak English just like my country, this was going to be quite an adventure. :) We took this trip two years ago, March 2014.
People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (1898)
We arrived in Tan Son Nhat International airport in the afternoon. And very proud to see they make a special line for ASEAN citizen in the immigration. The officer may look very serious, strict face, but they were actually friendly and we had a smoothly-fast process in this particular line. We took a taxi from airport to our hotel in district 1 area. On our way to the hotel, the taxi driver almost gave us worries, when he asked something in Vietnamese (I think he tried to make sure of the hotel’s name), we showed the print out of the hotel’s name and address. But of course they were all in Latin writing, and Vietnam have their own letters. Somehow he understood, and reached our hotel.
After checked in to the hotel, we took a stroll in the neighborhood. It turned out that the area is a little Japan area. So many Japanese restaurants, from the traditional until the fusion. So we went to one restaurant, and when we’re going to order, we asked about (need to make sure) the menu that we picked didn’t contain pork. And this was an interesting experience. The girl, who happen to be the waitress, couldn’t understand what we’re saying. So she pull out her iPhone and click an application (that turn out to be a translator tool). There you go.. we’re communicating by passing back and forth her phone. I may say it was effective. Hahaha.. It's a funny experience. She’s so attentive and smart! The food were very satisfying, we didn’t remember to took picture of it (being typical Asian), well.. what can you say when you are very hungry.
Rio gave his friend’s number (Lukdy) and said that he’s the right person to contact when you are in Vietnam. Lukdy own a big travel company in Vietnam, Phi Loan travel agent. So, he met us up in our lounge hotel and we took a walk to a cafe on the back of the opera house. The name of the place is “Highland Coffee”, right in front of Hyatt hotel. I can’t wait to have a sip of the local coffee! Vietnam coffee is one of the best coffee in the world. And yup! I’m sipping my coffee very slowly, enjoying the caffeine lingers in my taste buds. Lukdy is a very warm person, we just like old friends in our first encounter. He offered transportation for us to went touring until drove us back to airport on our last day in a reasonable price. He also lent us a local sim card to use while in town for easier communication with him. And we just met him. Nice guy!
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So, after a quick round in the neighborhood, the coffee, and some tour site suggested by ‘the master’, we went back to the hotel to rest. Tomorrow is going to be a full-day.
Funny faces greet our morning. :) We had breakfast in Trung Nguyen coffeeshop just a walking distance from our hotel.
When you go traveling, it is a must to know about the history of your destination. We already make a list of places to visit. First place is historical “DINH ƉộC LẬP” means Independence Palace also known as Reunification Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace and designed by Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu. It is important for you to know the local name of the site rather than international name if you need to ask directions or talk to your taxi driver.
If you read the history of this building, you may feel a bit tense as entering the big hall on the ground floor and walk through upstairs. I'm also amazed of all the facilities they had. A cinema, a bar, a helipad, ow.. I didn't went to the basement. Some said it was fascinating.
If you read the history of this building, you may feel a bit tense as entering the big hall on the ground floor and walk through upstairs. I'm also amazed of all the facilities they had. A cinema, a bar, a helipad, ow.. I didn't went to the basement. Some said it was fascinating.
ReunificationPalace (1966)
Afterwards, we went to Bến Tành local market (built in 1914) where they sell local product from souvenir like handicraft, clothing, until dried food and beverage. Your bargaining skill is required in this place. And if you want to buy the local coffee complete with the coffee drip equipment which is perfect for souvenir or gifts, this is the right place. I was surprised when one of the lady vendor speak Indonesian to me in a middle of negotiation for some souvenir. I guess, there's so many of us shopping here. :)
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Near Bến Tành, we visited the Fine arts museum of Ho Chi Minh city or Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật. A yellow and white colonial building that looks very elegant is full of details from the 1929 colonial era. This mansion was originally owned by Mr. Hoa, a Chinese during colonial time and after, the wealthiest man in Saigon at the time, who also owned other famous building in the city such as Majestic hotel.
When you enter the museum, first thing that I noticed was the antique-tiled-floor all over the place. And as you walked further, from a distant, you could see one of the oldest lift in Saigon. I was drawn right into it. Not to forget to take my picture beside this lovely wooden antique lift. Behind the lift was a gorgeous staircase. The ironwork of the railing, doors, are exquisite! They also have fine tinted glass on their windows and doors. Haven’t lay an eyes on their exhibition of fine arts yet, I already in love with the building itself.
The art collection are from domestic and international. Paintings and sculptures are from Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese artists. Even though the museum is not modern enough with high technology equipment, but they are well-maintained. I quite enjoyed my time there.
The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon Opera House or in Vietnamese: Nhà hát lớn Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, is an example of French Colonial architecture in Vietnam. Built in 1898 by French architect Eugène Ferret as the Opėra de Saigon and inaugurated in early 1900.
On 28/04/2012, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued Decision No. 2210/QD-UBND that recognized Hotel Continental Saigon as Monument Architecture Arts of the City.
According to the Board of Monuments of the city's review, Hotel Continental Saigon was built in 1880, with characteristic architectural features, such as, a tile roof, thick brick walls, spacious bedrooms and public areas, and four-meter high ceilings to avoid the heat of the tropics and to make use of the wind and natural light. The design of hotel is in the form of a rectangle, in the center is a large garden with three frangipanies planted in 1880 and still flourishing today, these features create a unique feeling of peace and quiet in the midst of this dynamic city that can only be found at the Hotel Continental Saigon.
From the very beginning, this three-storey building has always been painted white to minimize heat absorption in summer. The white paint alleviates the heaviness of the building and at the same time emphases the regal and luxuriousness of the hotel. Although a century has passed, the Hotel Continental Saigon has still retained its original architecture.
In terms of harmony in the city's architectural ensemble, along with the Municipal theatre (1898), Notre Dame Cathedral (1880), City Post Office (1891), People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (1898), ReunificationPalace (1966) and Ben Thanh Market (1914) the Hotel Continental Saigon is a focal point in the architecture of the downtown area, maintaining the past historical period in the formation and construction of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City.
- http://continentalsaigon.com/classe-monument-historique_c209.htm -
Hotel Continental Saigon (1880)
City Post Office (1891)
I think the most fascinating tour site is Cu Chi tunnels. They may not have pretty buildings or lovely place like any other site, but I was fascinated by the thousands of miles dug tunnels by Viet Cong, the Vietnamese guerilla troops, that only a meter high. They lived down there, in an underground village. That’s what I call a fighting spirit.
A shopping time would be very entertaining after all that heavy history experience. We went back to the center of the city, and just went for a walk. They have lovely shops with local product.
I'm so happy to found this bookshop. They sells printed posters with variation design: movies, antique political posters. Love it!
An old mosque. Such a pity it wasn't a good picture.
We had lovely dinner in Hoa Tuc restaurant. Good food, good design for its art nouveau interior.
The next day, we just walking around. Admiring the lovely antique building. Vietnam was colonized by French from 1858 until 1945. They preserve many colonial buildings / houses.
Our last day in Ho Chi Minh and I’ve got to see the famous Hotel Majestic. We walked along the Dong Khoi street, just straight ahead until the river Me Kong. You will find the hotel on your right side.
Hotel Majestic was established in 1925 by Hui Bon Hoa company. Hoa was a Chinese-Vietnamese. After several renovations from 1925 until 2003, now, this art deco structure comprising 175 rooms, 6 restaurants, and bars.
Hotel Majestic was established in 1925 by Hui Bon Hoa company. Hoa was a Chinese-Vietnamese. After several renovations from 1925 until 2003, now, this art deco structure comprising 175 rooms, 6 restaurants, and bars.
Hotel Majestic
Ho Chi Minh weather in March 2014 was quite sunny, same hot but not as humid as in Jakarta. The people are warm, even they didn't speak English, they'll keep trying to talk to you or assist you. They are very welcome toward tourist. There are 6 things that I like from Ho Chi Minh city:
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Another thing that I noticed, in a smaller streets in district 1 (I don't know in other area), like when I'm walking from my hotel to the center where the opera house is, there was a policeman guarding every intersection of the street. You will see a chair on the sidewalk and sometime a small toilet next to nearby building. It gave me a sense of security, especially when you're walking alone. -SK-
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