Discovering Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: A Bittersweet Travel Experience Unveiled

Thanks to Zha Zha Hui, I found myself in the vibrant streets of Saigon, Vietnam 🇻🇳.

The architecture in Saigon is a fascinating blend of influences from various countries, with the most profound being French 🇫🇷. Yet, within each seemingly French-style building, you can find elements of Minnan and Khmer culture. This unique fusion, which doesn’t quite fit into any single category, is what makes Vietnam’s architectural landscape so distinctive and captivating.

I traveled to Ho Chi Minh City by bus from Phnom Penh. The visa process was a bit cumbersome; in addition to the visa on arrival at the border, a separate paper visa was required. Since I hadn’t printed out the visa on arrival, I had to pay for printing, which, along with the paper visa, set me back 44 💲. This was definitely an unexpected expense and a frustrating pitfall 🤬.

Ho Chi Minh City is compact, and many attractions are within walking distance. You can explore most of the sights in about half an hour (if you don’t linger too long at each one) 🙂‍↕️. Ben Thanh Market reminded me of Yiwu Market, but with fewer varieties, so I didn’t spend much time there.

I tried the Michelin-recommended stone pot pho, but honestly, it didn’t live up to my expectations compared to Yunnan rice noodles [facepalm R].

On the other hand, the Vietnamese baguette sandwich 🥖 was a delightful surprise. I opted for the vegetable one, and the combination of a crispy exterior and soft interior, paired with fresh vegetables, made it incredibly tasty. I highly recommend giving it a try.

🤩 After the culinary delights of Siem Reap, the other dishes in Vietnam seemed somewhat average.

However, the coffee in Vietnam is exceptional, especially the salted coffee from Linh Coffee, which is a must-try‼️. The surprising and delightful taste is truly unique, and Vietnamese coffee easily surpasses what’s available in China.

Another memorable experience was the Vietnamese head wash 👍. I visited Yubii Spa, where the service was top-notch. I chose the deep cleansing series, which included shoulder and neck, arms, facial cleansing, hair washing, and even a foot soak while they were blow-drying my hair. All this for just around 113 RMB, making it an extremely cost-effective and relaxing experience.

For currency exchange, I recommend Ha Tam, located opposite Ben Thanh Market. Locals often prefer gold shops for better rates than banks, but they close early. When I arrived around 7 PM, they were about to close. I explained that I needed a small amount urgently for the next day in another city. After some negotiation, they sympathetically allowed me to exchange, making me their last customer of the day.

Overall, while Vietnam offers a unique and interesting experience, it’s a place I might visit once but not return to 🌆.