Good Morning Vietnam!

Posted by roma on July 30, 2013 in Airports and Airlines, Ben Thanh Market, Christian Louboutin, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater, Jollibee in Vietnam, Nha Hang Vietnam House, Saigon, Saigon Opera House, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam,

We landed at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport at Ho Chi Minh City at around 1 AM, Vietnam time.

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport

We were fetched by my sister's friend Tops, who has been living in Vietnam for three years, so we can go to the Domestic Airport to pick up my sister who was coming from Hanoi.

Tan Son Nhat Domestic Airport

The domestic airport looks like one of our provincial airports. It's much smaller, the airport canteen is closed, and disorganized. Tops said some airlines that land here are notoriously late. He was proven right because my sister's flight was delayed by more than 40 minutes.

When we were all complete (me, my sister and my brother-in-law), Tops took us to his apartment to rest a while.

I was up at seven in the morning and had the first glimpse of Vietnam at daylight. 

Good Morning Vietnam!

It looks a lot like Manila -- somewhere between Ortigas and Abad Santos, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

So we prepared to go out to see more of Vietnam. 

We first stopped by Manila Water's office, which was about 50 meters away from Tops' apartment, the reason why my sister has friends living in Vietnam. 

Trivia: Manila Water in Vietnam can actually be called Saigon Water.

After a short tour at the office, we headed to the town proper and saw a big Jollibee store on our way!

If I tell you that this is in Vietnam, would you believe me? Haha.

First thing we did was, of course, exchange for Vietnam Dong (VND). Everyone is an instant millionaire here.

July 18, 2013. 100 USD = 2.140M VND

We exchanged money at a jewelry shop near Ben Thanh Market. Then walked a few blocks to see the Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater), from afar. We did not go near or inside -- maybe because my sister's friends were already too hungry.

My sister Lyn and he hubby Ones

The Opera House: Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, District 1  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam +84 8 3829 9976

We walked a little more and saw this shop, among other shops, lined up in the street.

Ate Lyn and her friend Jah decided to have their picture taken
in front of a Christian Louboutin shop.

They took this time for photo-op because they said, it's not everyday that you see a Christian Louboutin shop, especially in small streets like this one.

After a few more minutes of walking, we have finally reached our destination for our first taste of Saigon. 

Nha Hang Vietnam House

The Nha Hang Vietnam House is one of the most popular restaurants in Saigon. It's not very expensive to dine here but they said Former President Cory Aquino and Former US President George Bush Sr. ate here when they visited Vietnam. Read more about Nha Hang Vietnam House here.

Nha Hang Vietnam House:

93 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
+84 8 3829 1623