Sights of Saigon @ Picasa Web Album

Finally, I have finished uploading the photos captured in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) during my recent trip on the Picasa web album <http://picasaweb.google.com/chiongjane/SaigonHoChiMinh?feat=embedwebsite#>.

It's a whole lot easier to upload to the web album than uploading on my blog. ;-) Anyway, the delay is partly due to the amount of assignments and deadlines which I have to meet after the eight days away from my desk.

There's a direct link to the web album from my blog. Just click on the Notre Dame Cathedral photo and it will link you to the page.

Happy viewing!

Sights of Ho Chi Minh City

Shops in HCM Airport



Shops in HCM Airport



A petrol kiosk @ City Centre

Public bus transport

Saigon Square

Majestic Hotel

Riverside Hotel

An antique shop

Caps, toy scooters, motorbikes, handbags made from aluminium cans

Paper handicrafts by roadside

Opera House

Malaysian food stall @ Parkson Food Court

Construction workers having lunch

Strawberries

Dried shrimps, salted fish @ Market

Fresh flowers @ Market

Local delicacies

Pork sausages @ Ben Thanh Market

Shoes @ Ben Thanh Market

Vegetables @ Market

Eels @ Wet market

Frogs! (as food?)

Water puppet show

Water puppet theatre

Custard apples - plenty in HCM

Durians - yummy!

Fruits stall @ Ben Thanh Market

Food stall @ Ben Thanh Market

Mangoes @ Ben Thanh Market

Handbags @ Ben Thanh Market

More handbags @ Ben Thanh Market

More and more handbags @ Ben Thanh Market

Handicrafts made by the disabled people

More handicrafts

Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh (Day 2 & 3)

20 & 21 March ~ Wow! It has been three days in Saigon City, the city of motorbikes. I had two days of tour, 70 km (2 hours bus ride) away from the city.

On Day 2, we went on a boat ride to visit fruit orchard, then a 'sampan' ride along the Mekong Delta to coconut city and snake farm. Although the weather is extremely hot, it was a wonderful adventure and experience. In the evening, I was happy to locate a shopping mall ~ Zen Plaza. I fell in love with a handbag there, but I did not buy.

Day 3, we also took a 2-hour bus ride to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. There I witnessed all kinds of man-made weapons used by the Vietnamese soldiers to fight the war against the Americans army. In addition, I went into the tunnel and experienced the 40m walk in the dark tunnel. It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One has just got to keep calm and keep walking in the narrow tunnel. Later, we went to visit the Ben Duoc Martyrs' Memorial Temple. A unique praying ritual (like chanting) was going on while we were there. Indeed, it was quite eerie.

We ended our 3 days of tour at Ben Thanh Market shopping for the things in our list. Happily, I returned to the hotel room with bags of things. ^_^ We have another 2 nights and 3 days free and easy in HCMC. A time to enjoy Vietnamese food, culture and more shopping.

Day 1 in Saigon City

19 Mar ~ Saigon, here I come! This is my Day 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. I had a very busy day today, very packed programme. I started my day with nutritious breakfast of eggs, french bread and milk at the Thuy Tien Hotel.

We went to the Reunification hall (aka the palace of the President), Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office, the War Crimes Museum, the Handicapped Souvenir Centre, Binh_Tay_Market at Chinatown and Ben Thanh Market. I was really exhausted at the end of day but I enjoyed myself very much. It was really an eye opening experience.

For dinner, I had Pho Bo (Beef Noodles) at one of the small shops in the street behind the hotel. Upon returning to the hotel after a walk along the long and busy street, observing the busy people of city at work and motorcycles buzzing up and down the street, I was overjoyed to find that this 2-star hotel provides free internet facilities. However, they do not have a card reader for me to download the photos taken today. Anyway, I will add in the photos when I return home.

I look forward to another exciting day tomorrow. Till then, ta ta for now.