Ho Chi Minh Tour Day 3

Ho Chi Minh Pictures - A typical sight...

Ho Chi Minh Tour Day 3

Mekong Trip 1 day Tour

0745 hr – 1700 hrs
Booked the half day tour @ USD10/person.

We assembled at the tour agency at 0745 hrs. The bus departed at 0815 hrs. You can enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields.

A street hawker

Beautiful flowers

yummy pineapple

In My Tho area, watermelons, pineapples and rice wine are the speciality. We passed by lots of paddy fields. According to the tour guide, the crop takes 3 months from plating to harvesting and there are only three crops a year as there is no crop from August to October due to flooding. On the paddy fields, you will find tombstones as well. This is their tradition to be buried on their land to be closer to their family and also so that the land will remain in the family.

My Tho – Ben Tre (Upper Mekong River)

On arrival at My Tho, we were able to take boat trips to discover the wild islands of the mighty Mekong river. First, we took a leisurely boat trip and switched to a small rowing boat ride along a beautiful little canal whilst cruising in the shade of water coconut trees to Dragon Island where we visited the coconut candy mill. Here we were given an explanation of how coconut candy is made and samples to try.

After the candy mill, we were transferred back to the original boat and continued on to Unicorn island for a simple lunch of fried noodles with vegetables and pork. Drinks could be purchased at VND12,000 (VND10,000 = USD0.572) upwards. They also offered the Mekong speciality of deep fried elephant air fish @ VND150,000 for those were adventurous to try. It was a nice and serene place to stop for lunch.

After lunch, we went for another boat ride to Tortoise Island where we were shown how they kept bees. There was also a python which you could touch and carry for a photo shot. Here, we were given some samples of their local tidbits to try as well as honey tea and banana wine.

Next we walked past what was supposed to be a fruit orchard. As it was not the fruiting season, it was tough spotting the fruits. After a few minutes, we arrived at the next venue where we could try some fresh tropical fruits to the accompaniment of traditional Vietnamese folk music. The fresh fruits included pineapple, pomelo, chiku, banana and jackfruit.

After sampling the fresh fruits, we went onto a much smaller rowing boat which brought us back to our original boat where we returned to My Tho city. From there, we headed back to Ho Chi Minh City by bus and due to heavy traffic, we arrived back at 1725 hrs.

Saigon Square

In the evening, we proceeded to Saigon Square and bought a t-shirt with double coloured collar for VND150,000.

the double collar t-shirt which costs VND150,000

New World Hotel Ho Chi Minh

We passed by New World Hotel where President Clinton stayed the last time he was in Ho Chi Minh City. This hotel in Saigon has a casino. It is also a luxury hotel located in the heart of the busy commercial hub in the city.

A souvenir shop in New World Hotel... keychains made of bull's horn and sea shells

Zen Plaza entrance

Zen Plaza

We also passed by Zen Plaza, an up market and trend setting department store which is 100% owned Japanese investment centre. There is also a Japanese photo studio where you can dress up in traditional Japanese costumes and bring back beautiful memories.

Spot the word "ZEN"

Love is in the air...

Another street vendor

Our hotel receptionist, Ms Hanh, in traditional Vietnamese costume

One of the many lovely trees

Playing in the park - a favourite past time

Ben Thanh Night Market

Next we went back to Ben Thanh night market. As this was our last night here in Ho Chi Minh City, we decided to try another restaurant instead of Sao Dong which we really liked. We decided on Ben Thanh Trading next to Sao Dong. The service was not as good as Sao Dong’s. After being seated, we waited for a full five minutes and nobody even noticed us or bothered to bring us the menu till we called for it. Even when we managed to catch their attention, it took almost another five minutes before we were finally handed the menu. Somehow, they did not seem as organized as Sao Dong.

Ben Thanh Trading

Our order for the night:-

- fried spinach with beef VND25,000

- grilled wild boar meat VND40,000

- grilled beef on hot plate VND30,000

- Vietnamese fresh spring rolls @ VND4,000

For the fried spinach with beef, although the price is the same as Sao Dong, however the quantity was less and not as tasty. As for the wild boar meat, this is interesting where you cook the meat yourself. It tasted quite good except that there was lots of fat on the meat and smoke that can be quite irritating to nearby customers.

Cold fresh coconut drink - a great thirst quencher

The roadside dining area at Ben Thanh Trading

Broken Rice Restaurant - an unusual name

The Vietnam climate is both tropical and temperate. However, Ho Chi Minh weather is typically hot all year round being in the tropical region although they do have a rainy and hot season. Generally, the rainy season would be from August to October.

If you want to travel Ho Chi Minh city, it is best to book a tour with any of the numerous travel agencies as the prices charged are much more reasonable than if you were to take a taxi. Plus you get the added advantage of an English speaking guide for whom you will be more than grateful.