A very random conversation with two of my blogger friends led to an incredible six days and seven nights adventure in Ho Chi Minh City. The not-so spontaneous decision (we finalized everything two months prior LOL) took us through a whirlwind of Ho Chi Minh's vibrant streets, remarkable landmarks, different local dishes, and various flavors of Vietnamese coffee. It's only been a few days since we left the city, but I do not want to waste any time so here I am, recounting the great experiences we had throughout the trip.
Cebu-Manila-Saigon and vv via Cebu Pacific Air
We flew with Cebu Pacific Air from Cebu to Manila to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa. It was my first time to be on a connecting flight and I kinda got anxious days before our trip. We've all heard about the "horror stories" that the other travelers have experienced with the immigration officers in NAIA, right? Not to mention the issues on lost baggage. Thank goodness, everything went smoothly. From the check-in process, to the in-flight meals (we ordered for all our flights), to the bag transfers, we had zero issues so it was a hassle-free journey all throughout.So, if you're planning to go on an adventure in Ho Chi Minh, like we did, book your flights with Cebu Pacific Air. They fly daily to this vibrant destination for your convenience.
Where we stayed in Ho Chi Minh
We stayed at Dinh Phat Hotel which was very convenient, thanks to its strategic location in central District 1. Most tourist destinations were actually just a walk away, making it easier for us to explore the city. The rooms were okay, offering basic comfort and necessities. We requested daily replenishing of water bottles and cleaning service, but the cleaning was not as thorough as we had hoped. Overall, the hotel's prime location was its biggest advantage.6D7N Ho Chi Minh Itinerary
If you're reading this, looking for a guide for your Ho Chi Minh trip, I would put in a little disclaimer that if you are a traveler that prefers packed days, then this may not be for you. Our itinerary suits those who want to balance work and leisure. Our full-time jobs allow us to work remotely so we brought it with us in Ho Chi Minh. Lol. We scheduled our activities around our work hours, so we could explore the city without rushing and enjoy both productive work time and relaxed sightseeing.Day 1
📍 Phở Việt Nam📍 Mong Bridge
📍 Saigon Opera House
📍 Saigon Center
📍 Union Square Vietnam
📍 Saigon Princess Luxury Dining Cruise - Booked via Klook
First day in Ho Chi Minh and first ever meal was a steaming bowl of beef shank phở in Phở Việt Nam in District 1. It's a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant so of course, we had to try it. Indeed, it was a very good and a very flavorful phở, and it was the perfect kickstart for the day. Then, we strolled across the Mong Bridge, dropped by the Saigon Opera House, and killed some time at Saigon Center and Union Square Vietnam.
We ended our first night in Ho Chi Minh with the Saigon Princess Luxurious Dining Cruise. We enjoyed a delightful five-course meal while enjoying the stunning views of the city skyline from Saigon River. We booked our seats via Klook and we only paid PHP 3,200 instead of the regular price which is PHP 3,800.
The dining cruise may be a very "touristy" thing for you but I have to say that it's actually worth it. It was also my first time to be on a dining cruise and I wouldn't mind doing this again if I come back to Ho Chi Minh.
Day 2
📍 Little HaNoi Egg Coffee📍 Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
📍 Saigon Central Post Office
📍 Bến Thành Market
📍 Tao Dan Park
We broke the fast at Little HaNoi Egg Coffee which was only a 10-minute walk from our hotel. We finally had the chance to try the unique and rich and creamy egg coffee. It was so good now I wished I ordered a second cup! Haha. Originally not included in our plan, we spontaneously booked a Grab car going to Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. It was indeed a haven for book lovers and even souvenir shoppers!
Just right beside the book street is the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office. It was such a hot day, so we went into the bustling Bến Thành Market and had a refreshing passion fruit with orange juice (which has now become my favorite!!). Then, we ended our day with a peaceful afternoon at Tao Dan Park.
Day 3
📍 Bánh Mì Chấm Hungtubes - Hai Bà Trưng📍 Tân Định Church
📍 Cộng Cà Phê
📍 Le Van Tam Park
📍 Phở Hòa Pasteur
📍 Bui Vien Walking Street
Breakfast was at Bánh Mì Chấm on Hai Bà Trưng. It was spontaneously decided since we preferred dining near Tân Định Church. The food we ordered were decent enough to fill us up. We walked for around five minutes before we reached the strikingly beautiful and pink Tân Định Church. Officially named the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Tân Định Church is one of the most famous and beautiful architectural marvels in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing thousands of domestic and international tourists every single year.
Right across Tân Định Church is Cộng Cà Phê, where we savoured a nice cup of iced coconut coffee. This cafe is also one of the famous spots to view the pink church from. If you're following me on Instagram, this reel that I posted was taken from the balcony on the third floor of Cộng Cà Phê.
Then, we strolled around Le Van Tam Park, and then hit it again with another bowl of phở. This time we went to Phở Hòa Pasteur, which is also a Michelin-starred restaurant. Personally, this was the BEST phở I've tried. I thought that Phở Việt Nam was already so good, but the raw beef phở from Phở Hòa Pasteur was even better, with more well-balanced flavors. Chef's kiss!!!
We went back to our hotel to rest and work. At 9PM, we went out to explore Bui Vien Walking Street, which is famous for its vibrant nightlife. We had a few drinks, and then went home before midnight.
Day 4
📍 Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa📍 S'mores Saigon Caffè
📍 Ho Chi Minh City History Museum
📍 Monet & Van Gogh Art Lighting Experience - Booked via Klook
Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa was my only request that we should try because I've seen and read a lot of positive reviews about it. When we reached the place, there was already a long queue. And people were lining up for a reason. I've only tried two different banh mis in our entire trip and this was the better one. It was very HUGE and very filling that I was surprised I finished all of it. Lol. Other people say that it's expensive for 68,000 VND but I have to say that it's actually not, considering that I can never get a banh mi that big here in the Philippines and for that price.
After that very satisfying brunch, we craved some coffee so we went to S'mores Saigon Caffè in Phan Tôn. It was actually one of the best cafes we've gone to, and it's definitely on top of my list if you're looking for café recommendations in Ho Chi Minh. After a long coffee break, we dropped by the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum.
The highlight of the day was the Monet & Van Gogh Art Lighting Experience, where classic artworks from these two art geniuses came to life with stunning light displays. We spent a good 1.5 hours exploring the entirety of the exhibit. We recommend that you book this experience through Klook because it's cheaper and will save you time when getting in the expo.
Day 5
📍 Museum of Ho Chi Minh City📍 Secret Garden
📍 Landmark 81 - Booked via Klook
Our fifth day started with another trip to the museum, this time the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, which provided fascinating insights into the local culture of the city. Then, just five minutes away is the Secret Garden, a hidden rooftop restaurant, where we had lunch. They serve really good food although the prices are quite expensive (around PHP 300 and above per dish).
We concluded the day with another activity that we booked through Klook. Despite being acrophobic, I braved the heights and conquered Landmark 81, the tallest building in Vietnam. I honestly enjoyed the breathtaking views of the entire Ho Chi Minh city despite the shaking knees.
Day 6
📍 The Cafe Apartment📍 The New Playground
📍 Saigon Square
Last day in Ho Chi Minh and we spent half of it at The Cafe Apartment. It's a unique building filled with quaint cafes and shops from the first floor up to the eighth floor. We only went in two cafes but we really climbed all eight floors (by foot, take note!!!) for the experience. There's an elevator available, by the way, if you prefer the easier way. :P
The second half of the day was spent exploring shops where we can buy pasalubong for friends and family. The New Playground is good if you're looking for more trendy (and Gen Z?) pieces. Saigon Square, on the other hand, is a good place to buy cheap goods and fake ones (if that's your thing), too. I went here looking for Saigon shirts for my parents but I had quite a hard time because 90% of the stores are only selling knockoffs. But yes, I did find some cute Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) t-shirts that I brought home.
That's it! If you reached this part, then congratulations and thank you! Haha. Our Ho Chi Minh trip was definitely a trip to remember. It had the perfect blend of local culinary delights, historical explorations, and vibrant urban experiences. I would like to thank Cebu Pacific Air and Klook for making this trip possible for us!
Post a Comment