After spending a few days on Phu Quoc Island, soaking up the rays and enjoying lots of fresh seafood and fruit, it was time to head back to the mainland and start our ‘official tour’ – beginning in Saigon (HCMC). Though we were sad to leave the beach and bungalows, we knew we were in for an exciting 10 days in Vietnam and Cambodia.
After browsing the bustling market a bit, we went to our welcoming dinner at Viet Heritage and were welcomed with a 5 course meal (we only paid for drinks)-pork spring rolls, grilled shrimp cake wrapped around sugar cane, stewed pork with beans, potatoes and carrots (in a sauce) with a fresh baguette, fried fish (Que Lam style), sauteed water morning glory with garlic, steamed rice and a few pieces of fruit for dessert. The food was fresh, lovely and was a very nice way to welcome us to our tour! I don’t think I will ever get tired of Vietnamese Spring Rolls! I also felt very grateful to have so many fresh veggies, tropical fruits, and awesome baguettes after being in Korea for 5 months–fruit and vegetables are expensive in Korea and almost all their bread has a lot of sugar in it!
The next morning, we met up with Bao and set off of for the Cu Chi tunnels to see the tunnel system used in the American War in Vietnam. It took us 1.5hrs to get there and we arrived just in time to avoid the heavy crowds. I found it very interesting to see things ‘a bit’ from the Vietnamese point of view–the intro video called the Americans ‘…a crazy bunch of devils’ and went on to detail how the people of the town refused to give in to the American invasion and would have ‘A rifle in one hand and a plow in the other’. I was quite impressed by the tunnel system, the traps they built and their ability to re-purpose all sorts of things they obtained after attacking US troops (shoes, bombs, etc.). I have never been a fan of war, so some parts (mainly the traps) were a bit difficult to see-but I knew what I was getting into.
Afterward, we drove a bit over an hour to get back to our hotel in HCMC. Stan asked our guide where to find the best Pho in the city and he led us to an AMAZING restaurant (Pho Hung)!! My first time eating Pho and I wanted to kick myself for not having it sooner. You can add herbs and spices to taste and although mine was a bit on the hot side, the broth was stunning. I chose the beef with egg and was not disappointed. I am absolutely hooked, although I have been warned that all Pho from now on will pale in comparison!
On our way back to the hotel, we took in the sights of the foreigner street (bars, hostels and brothels) and stopped off to have a beer and people-watch…Finally, as it was our last night in HCMC, we popped up to the 8th floor of our hotel and sipped cocktails while looking out over the city.
Saigon (HCMC), from the little that we saw, is a great city! I would definitely consider moving there if the opportunity arose, though the thought of riding a scooter in that much traffic does make me a little nervous! Visit Vietnam, you won’t be disappointed!
Where to next? One option is to head north and visit Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, but our trip took us a bit further south to Can Tho, and Chau Doc, a couple amazing towns along the Mekong Delta.
Traveling to Vietnam with your family? Check out this post via Thrifty Family Travels for some great tips!
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Your shot inside the Cao Dai Temple is magnificent! What a sight to behold and to be part of. Being an observer to rituals and routines can be so great. People watching is one of my favourite things because you can take in so much and learn too. The tunnel system you described also sounds like something one needs to do before they leave this side of the world. You’ve given me some ideas, thanks 🙂
PS: The food shots made me so hungry…
Thanks again Nadia for reading my blog! The Cao Dai Temple was absolutely amazing! It is at the very top of my ‘must do’ list if you are ever in the area! The tunnels were good too and you can make a day of visiting both places. The people watching was great, though a bit frustrating at times. And yesss, the Pho in HCM was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted… I daydream about it sometimes haha!
I love the photo inside the temple! That is stunningly beautiful. Your trip sounds amazing. I love how the palace had original furniture from the war era and how the museum was in thier point of view calliing us “crazy Americans”. I’m sure we do the same, but not in such a public place.
The food looks delish! I never remember to take photos of my food before diving in it. I will have to remember that for the next trip. I’m originally from the Philippines and we are too eager to eat to think about taking a photo. Nice job on the writing. I love how you used the word “wisked” for the next venue. Might have to utilize my brain and use synonyms for boring words.
Hi Charisse and many thanks for reading this post! I’m dying to go to the Philippines–I will make it there someday 🙂
It was funny because my two travel companions and I kinda had an Instagram Session at each meal and surprisingly enough, it didn’t get old! The food was fantastic!! I also appreciated the frankness of our tour guide and the site-workers–definitely nice to see things from a non-Western/non-American point of view–I found it quite refreshing!
Thanks for the comments on my writing style–I’m still feeling things out and I really appreciate any feedback (even better when it is positive)! All the best-Linz
Sounds like you had an amazing time in Ho Chi Minh! We have patiently waiting to go to Vietnam, even though it is on the top of our list, since our Vietnamese friend promised to show us around the next time he returns. In the meantime we have drooled over blog posts such as this, particularly with all the AMAZING food!!! Spring rolls and pho are some of my favorites too and I am dying to try them in Vietnam.
It is definitely worth the trip! I’ve been told now that my first experience of Pho was in HCM, that all will pale in comparison and I agree 100%. That Pho was amazing… don’t think I could every get sick of Spring Rolls either 🙂 It was definitely a culinary experience and I found that I liked the food a bit better than in South Korea, mainly because of the overabundance of fresh fruits and vegetables (and lime and cilantro). I’m already mentally planning a trip to the North and Central parts of the country. And yes, a local friend to help you find all the best places is the way to go! I met a friend in Chau Doc and she showed me around the city–best way to see a place is with the help of a friend who happens to be a local!
Thanks again for reading 🙂
I love Ho Chi Minh and can’t wait to go back. I feel like I did things wrong, not going with a guide. You saw some cool stuff that I didn’t get a chance to do, and I’m jealous now! Cao Dai looks amazing. Really, I didn’t see anything like that in the city. The Pho and the coffee were to die for though, huh? Wow, I could go on.
But hey, how did you arrange everything? I mean, the tour. I’d love to know when we go back in the fall.
Anyway, thanks for the great post! I really enjoyed reading.
Hello again! Thanks for reading this post. I really enjoyed HCM too! We booked a private tour through Ciao Asia Tour company (for Vietnam and Cambodia). They were really just a broker and hired local guides for each leg of our trip. We were quite fond of our guide and he does private tours when he has time. I would be happy to pass along his details if you like?
I miss the Pho terribly and was very happy with myself for bringing some coffee back! There’s nothing quite like Vietnamese coffee and I LOVE IT! When are you planning to go back?
That temple is spectacular! And also, PHOOOO!!!! But don’t worry, I’ve found a lot of pho in America that is as good or better than stuff in Vietnam! There’s a huge Vietnamese population near DC where I’m from so we get the good stuff there.
Good morning and thanks for reading this post! That temple WAS amazing…. we were rushed that day so I didn’t really feel like I got to explore the grounds at all—I hope to make it back! So glad to hear that you found good Pho in the US…. There’s a place back in Cinci that I may try when I go visit my folks, but I do expect that your options are much much better in DC!
Mmmm I love Vietnamese food, though have yet to experience eating the real stuff in Vietnam. Your descriptions and photos make me want Vietnamese Spring rolls right now. Also, a Vietnamese bahn mi is my favorite sandwich, did you eat any of those?
Thanks for reading my post! I was excited to have Vietnamese food in Vietnam, but had only ever had spring rolls before arriving-I was certainly kicking myself in the arse for not seeking this food out sooner! I only got one bahn mi and that was at the airport–but it was GOOD! I really appreciated the fine quality baguettes available there, especially since most of the bread in Korea has a ton of sugar in it! Can’t wait to go back and eat more bahn mi, pho and spring rolls!