My recently concluded tour was really great. Me and my friends had a six-day-tour. We spent 2 days in Vietnam, a day in Cambodia and the rest was travel time. We arrived in Vietnam Sept.2 in the early morning. It was their Independence Day celebration. It's a four day celebration. Most of the stores and establishments were close but we managed, of course, to do our shopping...mostly souvenir items, North Face and Kipling bags.
We did our shopping in Ben Than Market. Front stalls are for fixed prices because it's government owned, but inside stalls can give you half price if you know how to haggle Divisoria style. This market closes 6pm. Do your shopping in the morning as it's hot inside.
There's a small resto on the side which serves fruit yogurt, sandwiches and pastas. If you don't want to eat Vietnamese food, which I doubt, because they are tasty, come to this place. I got blue berry yogurt, grilled cheese sandwich and shrimp rolls...burp! :-)
Another area where you can buy clothes, bags, shoes and other fashion items is Saigon Square, an air-conditioned tiangge. It's like Greenhills. You can also bargain but prices are relatively higher than in Ben Than. By the way, exchange rate was at 10,000 Dong = Php 23.
Just outside the entrance, near the paradahan ng motorbikes there's a stall selling breads and shake. Their avocado shake was really good at 20,000 dong.
On our second day, we arranged tour with Sinh Tourist. They have tour packages for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand even in a very short notice. One-day-tour in Ho Chi Minh, composed of visit to Cu Chi, and city tour (visit to War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Notre Dame Church).
In Cu Chi we saw tunnels and booby traps used in Vietnam war. They served tapioca (balinghoy)tea and yam for us to experience the food they ate during the war. Of course, for us Pinoys, common na ito may sawsawan nga lang na niyog, sugar or condensed milk para mas masarap.
inside the tunnel
balinghoy na nilaga with balinghoy tea
My trip to the museum was depressing especially when I saw the pictures of deformed kids of parents exposed to agent orange bomb during the war. I cried silently. I felt lump in my throat controlling my emotions...tears...anger. :(
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