Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam
14 - 17 Aug '17
It was a last minute decision. Everything was booked just one week before we depart for Ho Chi Minh.
Our expenditure before leaving:
AirAsia -
2 ways flight (Ho Chi Minh <-> Penang) + 20kg luggage/pax for both ways MYR 3559.30
Airbnb -
Lotus Home (3 nights) MYR 962
Total MYR 4521.30
The price above is divided among 7 persons. Hence, each person paid MYR 645.90 for flight and accommodation.
Our expenditure before leaving:
AirAsia -
2 ways flight (Ho Chi Minh <-> Penang) + 20kg luggage/pax for both ways MYR 3559.30
Airbnb -
Lotus Home (3 nights) MYR 962
Total MYR 4521.30
The price above is divided among 7 persons. Hence, each person paid MYR 645.90 for flight and accommodation.
FlightAirAsia
AK 1502 Penang - Ho Chi Minh 14 Aug '17 12:10pm AK1503 Ho Chi Minh - Penang 17 Aug '17 1:30pm |
AccommodationAirbnb
Lotus Home Apt 2BR 2WC Riverside Central 30 minutes drive from the airport
5 minutes drive to Ben Thanh Market |
Vietnam Time Zone: GMT +7 (1 hour slower than Malaysia)
Electrical Socket : Mostly 2 pin plugs
Electrical Socket : Mostly 2 pin plugs
14 Aug, Monday
My uncle dropped us off at the airport at 10am. We had some snacks at Plaza Premium Lounge before boarding the plane at 11:55am.
Our flight was delayed for 20 minutes. The journey took 1 hour 50 minutes so we arrived Tan Son Nhat International Airport around GMT+8, 2:20pm, which was 1:20pm in Vietnam.
There was a counter selling SIM cards with unlimited data at the immigration. We bought one SIM package that's valid for a week at VND 220,000. Other than the unlimited data, it comes with free 20 minutes local call + 5 minutes international call. We used it on my bro's phone and he switched on his mobile hotspot so that everyone could use the data together.
After the long immigration queue and luggage delays, we met up with our Airport Transfer driver around 2:45pm.
We arranged the airport transfer through our Airbnb host - Alex. It costs USD35 for a 8 seater car, and that price includes airport pick-up and airport drop-off. (Airport -> Apartment on 14Aug + Apartment -> Airport on 17Aug). It was very worth it in my opinion.
P/S: 8 seater car means 7 passengers + 1 driver.
The car was an Innova sized car with not much trunk capacity for luggage. The trunk could fit two 20-inches luggage and that's it. Hence we had to place our other luggage on our laps the entire journey.
Other than the 8 seater car, they also offer 16 seater cars at USD65. But because of some misguided information on the total amount of luggage and sizes on our end, we ended up having to squeeze into the 8 seater car with three 20-inches luggage and 4 wheeled cabin luggage.
But it's alright since it was just a 30 minutes car ride.
The Airbnb co-host - Alex was waiting for us at the apartment lobby when we arrive. He helped us with the luggage and brought us up to the apartment.
There was a counter selling SIM cards with unlimited data at the immigration. We bought one SIM package that's valid for a week at VND 220,000. Other than the unlimited data, it comes with free 20 minutes local call + 5 minutes international call. We used it on my bro's phone and he switched on his mobile hotspot so that everyone could use the data together.
After the long immigration queue and luggage delays, we met up with our Airport Transfer driver around 2:45pm.
We arranged the airport transfer through our Airbnb host - Alex. It costs USD35 for a 8 seater car, and that price includes airport pick-up and airport drop-off. (Airport -> Apartment on 14Aug + Apartment -> Airport on 17Aug). It was very worth it in my opinion.
P/S: 8 seater car means 7 passengers + 1 driver.
The car was an Innova sized car with not much trunk capacity for luggage. The trunk could fit two 20-inches luggage and that's it. Hence we had to place our other luggage on our laps the entire journey.
Other than the 8 seater car, they also offer 16 seater cars at USD65. But because of some misguided information on the total amount of luggage and sizes on our end, we ended up having to squeeze into the 8 seater car with three 20-inches luggage and 4 wheeled cabin luggage.
But it's alright since it was just a 30 minutes car ride.
The Airbnb co-host - Alex was waiting for us at the apartment lobby when we arrive. He helped us with the luggage and brought us up to the apartment.
Master Bedroom -
a double bed, a double-decker, wardrobe, bathroom
Second Bedroom -
a double bed
Living Room -
sofa, coffee table, TV, shoe rack, mirrow
DIning Area -
dining table with 6 chairs, mineral water dispenser
Kitchenette -
Stove tops, microwave, rice cooker, electric kettle, cutleries and dishes
Area next to the kitchenette -
Washing Machine, second bathroom
a double bed, a double-decker, wardrobe, bathroom
Second Bedroom -
a double bed
Living Room -
sofa, coffee table, TV, shoe rack, mirrow
DIning Area -
dining table with 6 chairs, mineral water dispenser
Kitchenette -
Stove tops, microwave, rice cooker, electric kettle, cutleries and dishes
Area next to the kitchenette -
Washing Machine, second bathroom
The apartment was sufficient for our basic needs. There were cockroaches in the master bathroom on the first day, but later on thdey were all gone an I do not wish to know where they went. Other than that, the place was as clean as it could be.
Four of us slept in the master bedroom, two in the second bedroom, and one in the living room using a foldable mattress.
During the car ride to our apartment earlier, we spotted a restaurant that has a whole pig hanging by its entrance. So, we walked towards that restaurant for lunch.
Four of us slept in the master bedroom, two in the second bedroom, and one in the living room using a foldable mattress.
During the car ride to our apartment earlier, we spotted a restaurant that has a whole pig hanging by its entrance. So, we walked towards that restaurant for lunch.
We weren't able to communicate properly due to language barrier, but luckily they had Menus in English. We ordered too much cause we aren't sure about the portions of each dish. But they were nice and flavorful.
We had TWO salted fish fried rice, TWO seafood fried rice, Three plates of pork slices, ONE beef noodles, NINE bottles of Tiger Crystal and TWO bottles of Saigo special beer. It costs VND707,000.
We didn't mean to order so many bottles of beers, it was a miscommunication. My dad meant to tell the server that we had a total of 7 beers, but she thought my dad asked for 7 more beers. Hence...the large amount of beer intake for lunch.
So the lesson here is: If there's a language barrier, don't talk too much. Just keep the conversation short and simple.
We had TWO salted fish fried rice, TWO seafood fried rice, Three plates of pork slices, ONE beef noodles, NINE bottles of Tiger Crystal and TWO bottles of Saigo special beer. It costs VND707,000.
We didn't mean to order so many bottles of beers, it was a miscommunication. My dad meant to tell the server that we had a total of 7 beers, but she thought my dad asked for 7 more beers. Hence...the large amount of beer intake for lunch.
So the lesson here is: If there's a language barrier, don't talk too much. Just keep the conversation short and simple.
After lunch, we went to the Russian Market right downstairs our apartment to look around.
There are individual stalls selling things from clothes to winter wears, from hand bags to luggage, and there's also a store selling liquors and basic necessities as well.
After that, we went back to the apartment to freshen up.
In the evening, we walked to the Backpackers' street for some Ho Chi Minh night actions. It was a 10 minutes walk from the apartment.
After that, we went back to the apartment to freshen up.
In the evening, we walked to the Backpackers' street for some Ho Chi Minh night actions. It was a 10 minutes walk from the apartment.
We stumbled upon a restaurant that displays all kinds of seafood by the street. We decided to give it a try cause it wasn't too expensive.
For this seafood dinner, we had 6 crabs cooked in 2 types of sauces - spicy and non spicy. We also ordered cheese baked scallops, big cockles, and 2 types of shell seafood. It costs VND889,000. The meal was satisfying. Everything is nice and decent.
After dinner, we walked back home and bought some food and snacks for tomorrow's breakfast.
After dinner, we walked back home and bought some food and snacks for tomorrow's breakfast.
15 Aug, Tuesday
We arranged for a tour to Cu Chi Tunnel and also around the city through our Airbnb host - Alex. It costs USD 19 per person for the group tour. The meet up time is 8am at our apartment lobby. We were lucky that no one else joined our group tour, hence we had the tour van to ourselves.
Our Airbnb host - Alex waited at the lobby with us and sent us off after making sure everything is alright. We had paid for the tour and airport transfer to Alex in USD cash at the apartment on the first day.
It was a 15 seater tour van including seats for the driver and tour guide.
Our Airbnb host - Alex waited at the lobby with us and sent us off after making sure everything is alright. We had paid for the tour and airport transfer to Alex in USD cash at the apartment on the first day.
It was a 15 seater tour van including seats for the driver and tour guide.
The journey towards Cu Chi Tunnel will take 1.5 hours, and the tour guide - Patrick gave us some introductory speech regarding Ho Chi Minh and went through our itinerary.
The Cu Chi Tunnel is the site of the war between the Vietnamese and American. Hence there are a lot of trap displays and war remnants in the area. As the name states, there are tunnels underground that leads to different parts of the area and we could even go into one of the entrances with the guidance of the guards.
There was a shooting range that allows people to experience shooting at an affordable price. Unfortunately they were out of bullets when we got there. We could only look at the shooting range outside the fence.
After the shooting range, we stopped at a booth with a lady demonstrating the making of rice paper.
Next to it, they displayed the mechanism used to make rice wine.
After that, we continued down the path and came across a shelter booth making slippers from used tyres, an underground tunnel that we climbed through and also a place where water flowed through bamboo pipes.
When we're almost at the end of the journey, we were taken to a canteen that serves us tea and steamed tapioca.
Before leaving Cu Chu Tunnel, we stopped at a souvenir shop selling snake/scorpian/gecko wines. We are given samples to test it out but I just couldn't get myself to drink it.
After Cu Chi Tunnel, we stopped by a handicraft shop where we were introduced to the making of crafts made from egg shells, pearls and sea shells. It was very fascinating to see them carve, paint and lacquer the products.
I would love to buy some of their products but it was SO expensive! A small flat art piece costs almost MYR100! But they were really pretty though.
I would love to buy some of their products but it was SO expensive! A small flat art piece costs almost MYR100! But they were really pretty though.
After that, we drove back to the city for lunch. Lunch is not included in the tour package. We were brought to a restaurant and ordered A LOT of food because everyone was starving. I didn't snap the picture of the restaurant, but according to my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge's picture details, the pictures were snapped at Hem 3, Truong Chinh, Tay Thanh, Tan Phu, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam,
We ordered FOUR fried rice, THREE fried noodles and THREE roast pork slices. We also had some beer and soft drinks. The meal costs VND998,000. We couldn't finish the fried rice so we packed them up for tomorrow's breakfast.
After lunch, we visited the War Remnants Museum and saw more mechanisms used in the war. There are more machinery and transports displayed in this museum than in Cu Chi Tunnel.
After lunch, we visited the War Remnants Museum and saw more mechanisms used in the war. There are more machinery and transports displayed in this museum than in Cu Chi Tunnel.
Next up, we visited the General Post Office.
After that, we went back to the apartment to freshen up. We were supposed to be visiting more places, but there just isn't enough time for it! Everybody was taking their own time wandering the places even though the tour guide rushed us every now and then. But whatever.
We rested until evening and head out towards the Nguyen Hue walking square as recommended by the tour guide. We took a taxi from the apartment, which is 3km apart and it costs VND75,000. They have 8 seater taxis that fits all of us + the taxi driver comfortably.
We rested until evening and head out towards the Nguyen Hue walking square as recommended by the tour guide. We took a taxi from the apartment, which is 3km apart and it costs VND75,000. They have 8 seater taxis that fits all of us + the taxi driver comfortably.
We stopped by a Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. We had 5 dishes and it costs VND1,026,000. We ordered claypot clams, stir fried mixed vegetables, sweet and sour chicken, claypot pork and claypot fish.
We were at the Nguyen Hue walking square for the fountain and light show, but unfortunately it was raining that night so the show was off. Anyway we bought a street snack to share. It was VND20,000 and the lady took a rice paper, spread some ingredients on it, place it on the grill, folded it in half and packed it for us.
It was quite good.
It was quite good.
Since we didn't get to see the fountain, we headed back to the apartment via taxi again.
16 Aug, WEdnesday
We joined a group tour to Mekong at USD19 per person. This tour includes the boat rides and lunch. We met up with the tour representative downstairs our apartment at 7:30am. He arranged a taxi for us to go to the rendezvous point somewhere in Backpacker's street. We were then arranged to board the bus that's waiting by the street.
After the bus is fully loaded, we departed towards Mekong which will take about 2 hours. Our tour guide is Tao. He's very polite and has full understanding of English so we could communicate very well.
We stopped by a factory where they make products out of coconut and bamboo. Our group bought quite a few things from the souvenir shop.
So we boarded the bus again, and arrived at the harbor 5 minutes later.
After the bus is fully loaded, we departed towards Mekong which will take about 2 hours. Our tour guide is Tao. He's very polite and has full understanding of English so we could communicate very well.
We stopped by a factory where they make products out of coconut and bamboo. Our group bought quite a few things from the souvenir shop.
So we boarded the bus again, and arrived at the harbor 5 minutes later.
Our itinerary will be hopping from island to island and trying out their specialties. Our first stop was an island that has honey bees and fruits.
They showed us the bee house and also a screen that has tons of bees on it.
After looking at the bees, we were led into the sheltered dining area for some tea and snacks. They served tea mixed with honey and lime. It was so good! As for snacks, they gave us some peanut brittle, banana chips and dried ginger slices.
And of course after that they brought in packets of snacks for sale and such.
And of course after that they brought in packets of snacks for sale and such.
After that, we walked towards another restaurant that serves us fruits and tea together with their local performance. And of course, they placed a basket on each table for tips. And when you didn't tip them, they'll just stand there until you do.
Once we're done with the fruits and performances, we walked down a small alley towards the tiny wooden port by the river for the sampan rides. One sampan can fit 4 passengers, with 2 rowers at each end of the sampan.
They rowed us towards the end of the river and dropped us off the boarding point of our river boat. AAAANNNDDD of course the rowers asked us for tips. Which I happily gave them cause it's a really tough job rowing 4 adults along the 2km stream.
After everyone in our tour group board the boat, we went to another island that specializes in coconut by-products.
After everyone in our tour group board the boat, we went to another island that specializes in coconut by-products.
About 30 minutes of shopping for coconut by-products later, we board the boat again and headed towards our last stop - Phoenix Island.
The first thing we did was to head over to their restaurant for lunch. It's 3pm and everyone is starving. We were given 2 options for lunch: pork and rice OR vegetables and rice. Of course we chose pork and rice! The restaurant also serves Mekong fish, but it's chargeable at VND200,000 each. My dad told the tour guide that we were promised fish, a main dish, a vege dish and rice for lunch when we made the booking. So the tour guide checked for us and he gratefully served us two fried Mekong fishes for lunch without additional charges.
The Mekong fish was so deep fried that it was SO crispy. The fish was served with rice papers, vermicelli and some greens. The server came over and helped us make rice paper rolls with all the ingredients and it tastes AWESOME!
The Mekong fish was so deep fried that it was SO crispy. The fish was served with rice papers, vermicelli and some greens. The server came over and helped us make rice paper rolls with all the ingredients and it tastes AWESOME!
And we had the pork, vegetable and rice plus a small bowl of soup to fill our tummy.
We had 1.5 hours to roam around the island, including lunch. So after lunch, we walked around the area which has an amazing rope climbing across the lake, swings made out of tyres, vertical rope climbing, ladder climbing, balancing rail across the lake, crocodile farm, hammocks and bicycle ridings.
So at 4:45pm, we were rounded up by the tour guide to board the boat back to shore.
After we arrived at the shore, we went for a toilet break and started our journey back to the city.
We were dropped off at the travel agency and then we waited for the same tour representative to arrange transport back to the apartment. The tour guide helped us to contact the representative but the rep said that he wasn't available at the moment to come personally. So he said he would arrange a car for us and come to the apartment to pay us back the taxi fare.
The car didn't came after 10 minutes of waiting. So we just took a random taxi back to the apartment by ourselves.
We dropped off our loots at the apartment and everyone rushed to head out for Chinatown again. While everyone was busy with their stuffs, I sneaked in for a quick shower and instantly felt refreshed!
So we went down the apartment lobby to look for a taxi after searching for the Vietnamese name of Chinatown. We showed it to the driver and he said okay! But along the way, maybe it's because of my dad constantly reminding the driver to go to Chinatown in English, he ended up bringing us to Sheraton. SIgh.
Anyway, the doorman at Sheraton was kind enough to help us by explaining the china market is already closed at 5pm. He suggested us to go to the night market next to Ben Thanh instead. So we boarded the taxi again and the doorman communicated to the driver to bring us to the night market.
The taxi fare costs VND101,000.
We were dropped off at the travel agency and then we waited for the same tour representative to arrange transport back to the apartment. The tour guide helped us to contact the representative but the rep said that he wasn't available at the moment to come personally. So he said he would arrange a car for us and come to the apartment to pay us back the taxi fare.
The car didn't came after 10 minutes of waiting. So we just took a random taxi back to the apartment by ourselves.
We dropped off our loots at the apartment and everyone rushed to head out for Chinatown again. While everyone was busy with their stuffs, I sneaked in for a quick shower and instantly felt refreshed!
So we went down the apartment lobby to look for a taxi after searching for the Vietnamese name of Chinatown. We showed it to the driver and he said okay! But along the way, maybe it's because of my dad constantly reminding the driver to go to Chinatown in English, he ended up bringing us to Sheraton. SIgh.
Anyway, the doorman at Sheraton was kind enough to help us by explaining the china market is already closed at 5pm. He suggested us to go to the night market next to Ben Thanh instead. So we boarded the taxi again and the doorman communicated to the driver to bring us to the night market.
The taxi fare costs VND101,000.
We bought a beverage made of sugarcane juice and sour plums. It was amazing! We went back for a second one after that.
We decided on a side tent restaurant for dinner...and over ordered again. We ordered TWO stir fried kang kung with pork slices, TWO plates of roasted pork, TWO ribs, TWO omelettes, a bowl of noodles with pork slices and a serving of frog curry. The meal costs VND1,195,000.
After dinner, we took the taxi back towards the apartment at VND45,000, and that ends our day!
17 Aug, Thursday
Our airport pickup will arrive at 10:30am, so we all got up early to pack and have breakfast. Because we bought an extra new luggage, we couldn't fit it the big luggage into the trunk even though our Airbnb host-Alex arranged a slightly bigger car, that could fit in three 20-inches luggage.
So we went to the airport sitting with luggages on our laps. The driver was reluctant to let us all in at first, but Alex helped us communicate and even offered to pay for an extra vehicle to the airport. But we demonstrated how we'd all fit in the car, and finally the driver agrees.
We arrived at the airport around 11:25am and did our check in without any queues.
So we went to the airport sitting with luggages on our laps. The driver was reluctant to let us all in at first, but Alex helped us communicate and even offered to pay for an extra vehicle to the airport. But we demonstrated how we'd all fit in the car, and finally the driver agrees.
We arrived at the airport around 11:25am and did our check in without any queues.
We went through the immigration and security checks after forcefully finishing the remaining rambutans and longans that we bought the previous day at the night market.
They require us to remove our shoes/slippers for the security checks.
We then stopped by the duty free shops and then waited at our departure gate 20.
They require us to remove our shoes/slippers for the security checks.
We then stopped by the duty free shops and then waited at our departure gate 20.
The flight isn't full and we took off very soon after the plane door was shut. We had pasta as our flight meal and arrived back in Penang safely.
We had some issues with the amount of liquor we brought in with us but I don't really wanna talk about this here. At the end the extra liquor was confiscated.
So that's the end of our Ho Chi Minh trip! We each spent MYR981.15, including air ticket, accommodation, tours, SIM card, meals, taxis, beers EXCLUDING souvenirs that each bought for themselves.
So that's the end of our Ho Chi Minh trip! We each spent MYR981.15, including air ticket, accommodation, tours, SIM card, meals, taxis, beers EXCLUDING souvenirs that each bought for themselves.