A few years back, when I started traveling for work, I was assigned to visit this lively place, HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM.
Arriving at the airport first scared me because it was quite late in the evening, and the officers checking you were not smiling at all. Cautiously watching all who come to visit in their country, which most of all the countries in the world have this tight security.
After finishing all my tasks for the company trip, I was able to schedule a few days to explore this fantastic place.
The first thing that made me say that this place is incredible was the food. Amazingly, food in Ho Chi Minh City was very affordable and healthy too. I was able to have sugarcane juices and healthy meals. I was always enticed by the smell in lemongrass and of course, the ever-famous “PHO.”
If you have lived in the United States for many years and came to visit Vietnam, you can tell the difference of the taste of Pho when you eat from where it is originated. Like I tasted something that I couldn’t really explain but awesomely delicious. Maybe they cook it using firelogs; I don’t know.
Every day was a hallelujah day for me. The food never disappointed me. I would always visit the Food Street market, which was near my accommodation.
Second is the coffee. In this place, I tasted the most heart-palpitating coffee in my life. It was a drip coffee from the famous “Trung Nguyen Cafe.” I was surprised at how that drink made me feel an “ump” in my gut but also gave me a sense of happiness as a coffee addict. Eventually, I was happy because every time I smell the aroma of Vietnamese coffee, it brings back all these memories.
Third, tourist destinations are all accessible. I genuinely recommend finding a hotel around District 1 since this is the heart of the city. From my hotel in this location, I was able to visit the Reunification Palace, the War Museum, Walking Street, and the Behn Tahn Market all on foot. But if you are not into walking, you can easily hail a cab or grab a bike to serve you around.
I have also experience having day tours. Check your accommodation if they offer these tours since it is very convenient. You choose the trip you would like to avail, then they will make a call and reserve a slot. The next day you will be picked up by a tourist coaster, and all will be done in a day.
I have experience having day tours going to the Cu Chi Tunnels where you can see an immense network of tunnels and where the Viet Cong base was during the war. These tunnels were hiding spots and unimaginably helped them survive during those times.
I also booked a day tour to the Mekong River. It was a few hours from the city center, but the trip is worth it. I was able to see the river seventh longest river in Asia that goes through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I experienced the authentic Vietnamese food and rode a bike around a Mekong river community.
So in total, I toured around the city more than my actual purpose of going there. Can you imagine that?
I fell in love with the place. And if I did, you will, too. Why do you think Vietnam has hundreds of thousands of tourists coming there every year?
Try to see it yourself what this city has to offer. As for me, I will come back if time permits, and hopefully, I will be able to visit other cities in the future.
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