My first trip to Vietnam, to the southern city of HCMC, formerly Saigon. There’s so much history surrounding Vietnam; a fascinating country with resilient people and crazy traffic. I jumped right into it, joining a motorbike tour as soon as I arrived.
My lovely guide was born and bred in HCMC, and knew all the best places to see. It was fascinating hearing about the place’s history from someone Vietnamese, and we managed to see the famous sights like the palace, the post office, pink church and flower market. She even took me for a drink at her grandparent’s tiny cafe, somewhere I would never have gone on my own. The little joys of travel and the people you meet.
Ho Chi Minh is a bustling city, and a motorbike really is the best way to get around. But I did also enjoy a couple of runs along the river, and sometimes, just relaxing on my hotel balcony or by the pool.
A great little weekend getaway.
Practical stuff
Getting here- I flew from Bangkok with Thai smile, but HCMC has a big airport with a lot of flights from all over , especially Asia.
Where to stay- I liked the hotel I stayed in Liberty central Saigon riverside. It had a nice room with a lounger on the balcony, river views and a nice infinity pool. They can organise transport to and from the airport too.
What to do- I booked my motor bike tour through vin bike tours and really enjoyed it. They have a range of options, and can also take you further afield to see the tunnels. The tour ticks off most of the main sights and gives you an insight into the history of the place, as well as a bucket list experience of riding through Vietnam on a motor bike!
When to visit- I visited in rainy season but there wasn’t much rain, couple of showers one evening, but for perfectly dry weather wait for November.
Although I enjoyed this trip, I don’t have any plans to visit Northern Vietnam. I feel like I got a taste for the place, anyway 🙂
