New years celebrations!
Good morning saigon!
We landed in saigon after a night in Manila and what a warm welcome it was. Saigon is incredibly steamy and takes time to get used to the heat!
We stayed in a fantastic place recommended by Leanna (thank you!), right in the centre of the city with a rooftop bar/restaurant. Great for chilling out in the heat of the day. We will definitely recommend it to anyone Duc Vuong Hotel and their motto is “We Are Family”!! Love it!
Saigon Craziness! (captured by yours truly on my iphone – I’m quite proud of this! No huge camera for me!)
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View from the Rooftop cafe bar! Best cocktails in Saigon!
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Chuc Mun Nam Moi
A little goes a long way….top tip for bargaining, I learnt this phrase, as the signs were all over the city. We arrived at the end of the new year celebrations when shops were slowly reoppening after the Chinese New Year. While it may not seem like something useful i realised I could drive down prices by just saying it. I’m still saying it two weeks later and getting great prices! A little clearly goes a long way…pair of fake Ray Bans anyone?
How to walk in Vietnam….
Any form of transport is hazardous, as those of you who’ve visited these shores well know. While some crazy people rent motorbikes, we joined those less crazy and walked around Saigon. Or so we thought. Our first nights foray led us into what had to have been the busiest intersection in Saigon. We stood with piling up tourists, on the side of a 6 lane highway watching a constant stream of trucks, cars, motorbikes and cycles and wondering when we could cross. Luckily a nearby bellboy from a fancy hotel saw our predicament and shepherded us all across this insanity. Yelling, holding out his hand and bravely walking straight into the chaos. It parted for us and we got to the other side.
15min later Greg and I realised we needed to cross this same street back and the guy had long gone…..what to do?!
Two other tourists had come up and joined our waiting game, and we all decided to just step out confidently, as this seemed to be how to do it. It was hard, we alternately stepped and walked a few steps dodged bikes and cars and kept stepping with determination and finally made it. It was a bonding experience and we all ended up eating dinner and feeling like survivors!
15min later Greg and I realised we needed to cross this same street back and the guy had long gone…..what to do?!
Two other tourists had come up and joined our waiting game, and we all decided to just step out confidently, as this seemed to be how to do it. It was hard, we alternately stepped and walked a few steps dodged bikes and cars and kept stepping with determination and finally made it. It was a bonding experience and we all ended up eating dinner and feeling like survivors!
Pagodas
We managed to visit the Jade Pagoda at dawn, but to our dismay (mine especially) the clouds rolled over the sunrise and it was just terrible for photos. Luckily when we went back for sunset it was brilliant.
Temple culture is interesting. You buy your critter of choice outside, be it bird, turtle, fish and then come in and release it in front of the temple. There is a ‘pond’ covered in green slime and loads of turtles, and you can even write a wish on the back of your turtle in marker pen before releasing it into the overburdened pond. Otherwise gifts of flowers, incense, oil and fruit will also suffice, and you can buy it conveniently inside the temple. Once inside elbow your way to the front by any means necessary and there bow your head in prayer and ignore the jostling, yelling, music and flashing lights while you think good thoughts. Fun and crazy religious times!
My favourite moment was seeing a temple in the backstreets while wandering with our new friends and finding it tucked away, no sign, no name but as we walked in a monk in brown robes on a motorbike drove straight into the temple, parked his bike in front of buddha and offering tray, and flicked on the kettle. Ahhh convenience!
Temple culture is interesting. You buy your critter of choice outside, be it bird, turtle, fish and then come in and release it in front of the temple. There is a ‘pond’ covered in green slime and loads of turtles, and you can even write a wish on the back of your turtle in marker pen before releasing it into the overburdened pond. Otherwise gifts of flowers, incense, oil and fruit will also suffice, and you can buy it conveniently inside the temple. Once inside elbow your way to the front by any means necessary and there bow your head in prayer and ignore the jostling, yelling, music and flashing lights while you think good thoughts. Fun and crazy religious times!
My favourite moment was seeing a temple in the backstreets while wandering with our new friends and finding it tucked away, no sign, no name but as we walked in a monk in brown robes on a motorbike drove straight into the temple, parked his bike in front of buddha and offering tray, and flicked on the kettle. Ahhh convenience!
Vietnamese Cuisine
You didn’t expect me not to mention this?! We went on a thoroughly recommended cooking experience at Saigon Cooking School. Greg had a ball, and I managed to not burn or poison myself! Win!
We made a traditional 3 course vietnamese meal, veggie spring rolls with prawn garnish, deep fried sticky rice balls with pork inside, and my favourite vermicelli noodles, topped with veggies and bbq meat, with yummy fish sauce and sweet chilli over the top.
It was great, plus they gave us the recipes. I cannot wait to get home and try it out in London. Watch out London friends, experimenting time begins!
We made a traditional 3 course vietnamese meal, veggie spring rolls with prawn garnish, deep fried sticky rice balls with pork inside, and my favourite vermicelli noodles, topped with veggies and bbq meat, with yummy fish sauce and sweet chilli over the top.
It was great, plus they gave us the recipes. I cannot wait to get home and try it out in London. Watch out London friends, experimenting time begins!
The food in Saigon was fantastic, Pho, bbq meats and more. We ate and ate. Oh my!
Whilst wandering through the backstreets we were also treated to have pics and food with locals celebrating the new year. Rice wine was handed around (very potent) and some sort of dried fish, along with the most horrible tasting ‘sweets’. Locals posed with us and great fun was had!
History
War Remenants Museum
We learnt about the war whilst going to the HCM War Remenants Museum, it was very important yet horrifying museum. The worst was realising that the Agent Orange effects were still being found today, in the numerous children being born as recently as a few years ago, suffering from disabilities caused by the dioxcin generations ago. Photojournalism told the war from the Americans point of view (there is a great photojournalism exhibit from all the war photographers – most of whom were with the US Army), whilst words and photos told the story of the North. Most telling was the absence of any stories from the Southern army. As someone later told us, thats the effect of Communism.
Coffee Culture
Whilst the war was devastating, with far reaching effects it is heartening to note that Saigon and much of Vietnam is now thriving. And this you can tell by the coffee culture. Every street, every crossroads has it’s coffee shop. Some of them just a stall by the side of the road, others a beautiful shop with tiny tables, tiny chairs (the ones you sat on in preschool!), and a selection of coffee to make even the most critical coffee snob (me), weep in delight.
Robusta, Arabica, Moka, and even Weasel Coffee (which we tried in Da Lat – our next stop so stay tuned for the next installment!). But I had what the locals have.
Black vietnamese coffee (one of the above blends), drip brewed with sweetened condensed milk and a side of ice to plink into it. Also known as Ca Phe Sua Da. This is phenomenal.
One of the top 5 coffees I’ve ever had in my life, was in Saigon. Tears of joy were shed when I ordered the ‘Special Robusta’ vietnamese style with ice and condensed sweet milk. The perfect blend. I’d tell you the name of the store but I can’t let my secret get out, suffice to say its near the Art Gallery and not a tourist place. If you do want to know when you come to Saigon, email me!
Robusta, Arabica, Moka, and even Weasel Coffee (which we tried in Da Lat – our next stop so stay tuned for the next installment!). But I had what the locals have.
Black vietnamese coffee (one of the above blends), drip brewed with sweetened condensed milk and a side of ice to plink into it. Also known as Ca Phe Sua Da. This is phenomenal.
One of the top 5 coffees I’ve ever had in my life, was in Saigon. Tears of joy were shed when I ordered the ‘Special Robusta’ vietnamese style with ice and condensed sweet milk. The perfect blend. I’d tell you the name of the store but I can’t let my secret get out, suffice to say its near the Art Gallery and not a tourist place. If you do want to know when you come to Saigon, email me!
Next stop is Da Lat, and what adventures (and coffee) await!
Dont forget to check out Gregs pics too!
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