Ho Chi Minh City Chapter 1 (Fine Arts Museum & Cho Ben Thanh)

Goodday earthlings! we meet again. This entry is about Saigon or now known as Ho Chi Minh City, named after Ho Chi Minh, a communist revolutionary leader and also a former prime minister of Vietnam. We booked Airasia flight here when it was on promo, we got return tix for 100+, that was worth it. remember, If u wanna save money, always be alert on promo by AA, subscribe to its newsletter.

Our flight was on 2nd of March 2016 at 8.00AM, it was around one and half hour flight and we reach Tan Son Nhat international airport around 9.00AM Vietnam time. The airport was not that busy, maybe cos it was early morning i guess.

We queued at the ASEAN passport counter, means for Southeast Asian nationalities. When i got to the counter after Ija, (oh yes, Ija & sherry came with us this time :D ) the immigration officer called us back again, i thought it was something wrong with our passport. But actually, the officer thought we are non south east asian, she stamped '2 weeks' validity on our passport, where it should be '3 months' cos we are from Malaysia. I guess we didn't look Malaysian to her? .. meh, we did queue at ASEAN counter, so either she forgot where she sit or she just lazy to read our passport. Whatever, we passed the immigration that what was most important obviously.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome to Saigon!

One of our friend took the next flight from KL, so we waited for him first, bout an hour. around 10AM. We had some coffee first, there were lots of cafes outside the airport entrance and the people there were very kind to help us with our enquiries on taxis n stuff.

This is free btw, take it! containing lots of info

Ija came with us, yeay!

smiling faces

They sell 3G simcards here at the airport, so if u want, u can buy it, its pretty cheap. After our friend came, we find our taxi. So here's the thing. Taxis in Ho Chi Minh are known for their scamming activities where they will rip foreigners. That is why we need to be careful, do our research and get ready for any possibilities. Based on my readings, the only 2 taxis that u can trust is Vinasun and Mai Linh. i studied the airport guide, and here is a TIPS: after you walk out of the arrival halls, turn left - straight to take Vinasun taxi. It will be on the most left lane next to cafe. The color is green and white and the company number will be written on the taxi ending with 27.27.27 , there is lots of fake Vinasun taxi. so be careful.

This is the Vinasun Taxi, only ride the one designed exactly like this

We got into the taxi, 2 taxis cos there were 7 of us. Both were Vinasun taxis, and i kept looking at the meters to ensure we were not cheated. I asked Jenny to take a pic at the license of the driver. TIPS: take the pic of the license and the plate number, so if u got cheated, lodge a complaint straight away. Vinasun really take serious on complaints to avoid the company image got tarnished (based on my research).

The roads were packed with motorcycles, my god. The traffics was crazy like the road is literally 3 ways at the same time. lol. It was quite scary, cos there were like no traffic rules. But that is how they drive here.

this is just a few hoccay!

We got to our hotel, BOSS3 hotel, a 3 star hotel. Paid the taxi around 160k Dong, which was according to meters and the correct amount for airport transfers to the city. So do ur research, the possibility of getting cheated is less. we booked the hotel from booking.com so payment were made during check in. we booked 2 rooms, but it was quite confusing at first cos they cant really speak English, the receptionist. After she explained 3 times than i understand what she meant. 'u booked 2 triple rooms, u pay with deposit, u put ur bags into 1 room first cos the other room still not ready, u give me ur passports'.

The hotel front

Our room! :D

So, because we arrived before check in time, it was around 11am i think. Only 1 room is available, and the other one needed to wait until 2 o'clock, check in time. So she asked us to put our bags in room 1 first, so i understand. What i don't understand is why do they need to keep all of our passports? . 

 Ija and Sherry asked her and she explained that they need to check the passports only and it is for safekeeping and tell us not to worry ,will give it to us back. She promised everything's gonna be fine. Something suspicious about it but she doesn't seem like lying. TIPS: If possible, don't let them keep ur passports.

we checked in into room 1, on the 4th floor. Room 2 will be on the 6th floor. We drop our bags and get a rest for a while. The room was quite big, very cozy. Unexpected actually. I thought it will be smelly and weird cos its cheap, but its not, total opposite. So don't judge a book by its cover. (i will put the cost & itineraries at my last entry)

We head out around 11.30am ish cos we wanna walk around before check in to room 2. Our first destination was the Fine Arts Museum Saigon :D . It's just around 5 min walk via Pho Duc Chinh road. TIPS: If u arrive morning, visit this museum first, its very interesting.

The ticket

The entrance fee is 10k dong per person, cheap yes. They will give u a sticker that u can stick in ur hand or forehead, hahaha. depends on u. If u go out maybe, u can always come back in for the day as u hv that sticker, like clubs, hihi. If you are into arts, this is a good place to start.

They have the collection of fine arts and famous paintings from mostly Vietnamese artists. It was quite a 'learning journey' on Vietnamese unique arts. Murals on old walls, modern & contemporary arts mostly from the 70's, sculptures, paintings. It was very interesting. 

I really like this one, with a cat, hehe

a very long painting

The murals on the walls, creepy and unique at the same time

The arts

The windows is very unique, i guess cos the building were built during their French-colonial time. There was this spiral staircase, kinda creepy but in a pretty ways. There was a total of 3 buildings/museums , the 1st one consist of almost all the arts. But only 2 were open. The other one were closed for renovation.

The window along the museum pathways

Statues and clay arts

The spiral staircase is on the 2nd building, together with the archaeology findings around Vietnam. I never know that Vietnam has some places with ancient kingdom with their own 'pharaoh alike' statues. It was from the north of Vietnam. There is also a section for kids drawing. I think collection from activities held in the museum.

Another building, next to the main one

The staircase in the main museum, the carvings in front is an old elevator.

The spiral staircase in the 2nd museum

Archaeological findings from northern Vietnam

closed for renovation, i like the building, ancient looks

Some of the arts were from the Vietnam War, paintings that reflects the memories during that gruesome war. Keep reading on my next entry for The War Remnant Museum details. U can see some of the arts here. TIPS: Spend some time reading the description of the artworks, it's quite interesting.

arts from the Vietnam war

Dieng Viet - Chinese influence arts.

After a while, we exit the museum and headed back to our hotel. There were some people selling perfumes outside the museum. Fake perfume for sure.

Street vendors

We checked in to the 2nd room and it was comfy as well. This hotel, altho it is just 3 stars, the family room is really good and comfortable, worth your every penny. We get some rest, take showers, big bathroom btw u can dance in it, lol. Some changed to more comfy shirts and we went out again for lunch.

the bathroom, hadoo?

We walked along the Pho Duc Chinh road again to the main roundabout. Damn, the traffic here is crazy!!! like batshit crazy. The motorcycles was everywhere from every direction. It's quite hard to cross, but they will avoid you when u do. TIPS: careful of your belongings!, wear sling bag, when there is a gap, cross the road and do not hesitate.

hundreds more motorcyles behind these few

We have to cross 2 main roads at the roundabout to reach the infamous Cho Ben Thanh. and 1 more road to reach Nguyen An Ninh sreet or well known as 'The Malaysian Street'. Unforgettable experience, the traffic in Ho Chi Minh. TIPS: For halal foodie, this is a place where u can find restaurants mostly owned by the Champa people and most of the Champa people can speak basic malay, so communication is not really a big problem.

Malaysian Street Restaurants

Nguyen An Ninh

We had our lunch at Restoran Hajah Basiroh, which is kinda famous among Malaysians. Owh yes, its known as Malaysian Street cos the Malaysian people mostly stays around this area, the hotels, restaurants, shops are filled with Malaysian. I had some rice with fried fish and veggie. It was okay, good but overpriced. TIPS: most food in halal restaurants around Ho Chi Minh is quite pricey, if u wanna save money, u can bring some food from home. If u don't mind, get urself to other restaurants, esp where the locals went to, inside Ben Thanh, no halal signed of course but it is half the price here.

The menus

Dania had some Beef noodles or Pho Bo at Hajah Basiroh, one of the most famous dish in any Vietnamese restaurants and it was good. This one u should try, really. The sauces in this restaurants, some chilies and others was actually very good, spicy mind you, but enhance the taste of your food. The drinks however, disappointing. not so good, taste like plain water, hihi.

Pho Bo or Beef Noodles, the chillies on the side, i freakin love it

After we had our lunch, we walk towards Cho Ben Thanh, we did stop at a few shops too. There was this one shop selling Neelofa hijab and scarf. It is not original of course (i think). They sell it around RM16-18 per hijab, which is quite cheap, ill tell bout it later, keep on reading yall!. TIPS: they accept Malaysian Ringgit here if u buy things, so no worries if u don't have enough change. Dong were mostly used for food, taxis n others.

We got into the market, packed with shops!. Cho Ben Thanh is a big market that sells almost everything, it opens from 7.30 AM to 6PM roughly as some shops closed at 5PM. U can see lots of em selling fabrics, clothes, bags, shoes, junk food and they are also small stalls inside it, non halal of course.

Cho Ben Thanh main entrance

Packed with shops!

There was this place selling shoes, and Jenny was like haggling the price. The shoes were comfortable and compared to the prices in Malaysia, is a bit cheap yes. But u must bargain, I repeat MUST! This is no longer a TIPS, it's compulsory! hahaha . If u don't bargain, they will knock u with high prices. So u must bargain. BUT, bargain, only for the one you wanna buy. If u don't want to, don't bargain. Cos the sellers here tend to keep promoting their goods once u bargained for it. Like, bargain means buy.

The shoe vendor

varieties to choose from

They sell lots of fabrics and Malay traditional clothes like Jubah and Baju Kurung. Like lots of em that it makes u feel 'am i in Jalan TAR?' kikiki. I bought a Vietnamese flip flop cos i was wearing shoes from KL and i prefer to be comfy. It was cheap and comfortable.

Fabrics, the design,. mm okay, not so up to date

lol wear in tourist area, like what?

so comfy <3

There is more shops outside the Ben Thanh square, like along the road. Selling Malay traditional clothes, one of it is Rohani. Owned by Champa people. They have this trendy looking black Jubahs, great for fashionista muslimah. My eyes were set on the beaded Baju Kurung with selling price RM40 - 50 . Like seriously?!, if in Malaysia, it will be RM150 already. I planned to buy it on our 2^nd last day here.

The Jubahs

The beaded Baju Kurungs

The locals, they sell flowers, various types of coffees. TIPS: coffee is very popular here cos the plantation is in Vietnam, so better try one cup since u r already here.

some of the flower shops

varieties of coffee beans

It was around 5PM at that time, so we head back to our hotel to rest. Tonight we will come back for the night market :D . More bargaining to do :P. As usual we had to crossed the scary road back to our hotel. TIPS: If u don't plan to walk around the town and wanna spend time just shopping around Ben Thanh area, choose a hotel in Malaysian Street so u wont hv to cross the road that much.

When we reached the hotel, we asked the receptionist on the Mekong package first. As we have people who are sensitive to halal status, we decided to go with the 'Muslim Tour' for Mekong. The activities is the same with all other packages, the only different is that they take you to the champa halal restaurant for lunch. That is the only different and there is almost 150,000 difference in pricing for that. Yes. TIPS: SO, if u wanna save up, just take the normal package which will cost you around 200,000+ dong pretty much and bring your own food. If u don't mind on the halal status, just eat what they serve u. It depends on u.

So we took the tour, the cost and activities i will explain in my next entry, so keep reading folks ;) .

We had showers , rest etc. Seriously, the room was so comfortable. We then walk back to Cho Ben Thanh around 7PM. The traffic was more heavier at night, like u literally have to run crossing the street, hahahaahhaha. Damn it, some of em even ride their motorcycles on the pedestrian area on the curb. Haiyooo, be careful.

Cho Ben Thanh at night with the motorcycles drifting 

We reach the night market of Ben Thanh. The market is not inside the building, it was around it, like when u cross the street u can already see it, no worries. The motorcycles even cut thru the market at night, Saigon just amaze me with its traffic!

Ben Thanh night market (see the motorcycle? kannnn)

fefeeling uol

The things they sell here, is way much more cheaper than inside Ben Thanh. But again, TIPS: Bargain! Only if u wanna buy! If not, don't! Never! Or you will put urself in a hard time rejecting their offer.

Like me, i was looking at one wooden carved fridge magnets and the lady practically begging me to buy as i was her first customer. It's a belief here that if u are their first customer, they must sell something to you or they wont be selling anything that day. The beliefs that brings problem to u too. So, i bought it at 100k dong. It was expensive cos when i go further, i saw some people sell it 2-3 for 100k dong. So, make sure u really wanna buy and bargain as if is ur last penny, lol!

From what i saw, the Kippling bags they sell is in good quality and extremely cheap. The must buy here if u ask me. I recommend u guys bargain for this if u want it. There is many type of bags, from pouches to bagpacks. But it was our day one, so no need to rush, we will come back tomorrow, hihihi. TIPS: For souvenirs, night market, buy in bulks. u will got cheaper price. Do not buy inside Ben Thanh.

Bargaining for bags

We had our dinner at Malaysian Street again, there was this famous Vietnamese coffee for RM3, like everybody always post the pic of it whenever they visited Ho Chi Minh. Aman bought it, i tasted it. Hmm.. not really my type of coffee i must say. Too thick and sweet. But if u like that kind of coffee, go on! . The restaurant we chose this time was Kampung Melayu. Yes, don't be surprised by the name, hahaha.

the 3 famous restaurants here, lit up a night

It was good, this restaurant, overpriced as all of the restaurants here. I had the beef noodles, spicy.. i like it. They have free wifi though, so we can be narcissistic and drown in social media for a while. Kikiki :P

                               

Kampung Melayu restaurants

We went into several shops here, selling fabrics as some of us wanted to buy for their family. Some are cheap, some are expensive. U really have to walk and ask and bargain. Its how it works. I asked the neelofa hijab from the place i went earlier. It was quite good, the fabrics, the various choices of color. The more cheaper one is not in good quality. So i recommend u to buy from her. The shop has no name, next to a small house with an old guy lying in bed. The seller is a mid-age lady wearing hijab with her husband. Both Champas, and u can see the hijabs hanging in plastics in front of it. She was a very nice lady. I told her i'll come back tomorrow to buy as i need to ask my sister first what color she wants. The price range from RM15 – RM30 depending on the style and fabrics.

U will see this hijabs hanging, her shop

Wow this is a long entry isn' it, hahaha for day 1 and it is not even over yet. Hihihi. Maybe cos we had lots of things to do. We left this place and walk towards Pham Ngu Lao road. It was quite far, walking. U need to walk along the park, safer that way. There is this big park, near the roundabout that stretches from there to Pham Ngu Lao street. So what's here?

walk along this park to Pham Ngu Lao from Ben Thanh

Pham Ngu Lao is a backpackers area, most hostels are located here. So the place kinda lit up at night with clubs, stalls, restaurants, coffee shops, souvenirs centre etc. I can see there is also lots of tourist agencies. So in case u wanna survey any trips, this is the place.

Bike rents, lots of small alleys like this here, quite interesting

We walked passed by lots of narrow alleys with small stalls, bike rents, there was this place where u can see the artist doing his paintings and they sell it. It was quite nice. He doesn't really care who walks into his shop, weird. Or maybe by the look of our face he knows we cannot afford it, hihihihi. There was also this bright club called Allez Boo, packed with people. TIPS: If u wanna party and explore the nightlife, this is the place. U can also stay around this place for cheap hostels if u r on a tight budget.

Pham Ngu Lao road clubs

The artist's den

We got tired and walk back to our hotel, such a long walk from there! . We stopped at a mart, like 7eleven to buy some bread and drinks in case we got hungry at night, also for breakfast tomorrow, save some money. Tomorrow as early as 7AM, the bus for the Mekong delta is gonna be here, so we better sleep early. Read my next entry here! <3 XOXO