2010 - Backpacking to Saigon, Vietnam

BACKpacking Adventure
10 days to Saigon, South Vietnam
02 Dec <> 11 Dec 2010

Front (L-R) Jamie Loo, Pauline Toh, Ching Bee Geok, Janny Ho, Jocelyn Loo, Ker Sew Huat, Teh Bee Bee, Catherine, Betty Ching, Veron Wan, Wan Lan, Letchuimy, Manimegalai, Rosalind Wan

Back (L-R) Ching Neng Bin, Ivan Loo, Andrew Loo, Lim Kee Moon, Thanabalan, Wong Tai Meng, Gan An Hock, Tan Sim Kiat, David Wan, Ching Leng Chu, Alistair Mcculoch, Dr. Sim Mong Huei, Dato' Mohanadas, Val Allan

Day 01 (02.12.10) Kuala Lumpur > Saigon

"Xin Chao" greetings from Saigon. A total of 28 of us; 26 on AirAsia arrived at Saigon Tan Son Nhat Airport at 10am, however, Leng Chu and Wan Lan on Malaysian Airline System (mana ada system) supposed to arrive half hour earlier, were late by an hour. After lunch, visited the Reunification Palace and the War Museum.

AirAsia AK880 to Saigon is RM199 pp
Bus from Sitiawan to LCCT RM45 pp
Sleeping - Hotel Vuon Tao Dan, 220 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, P.6,Q.3, Saigon

Catherine and I getting out of LCCT to board the plane

Aerial view of Putra Jaya, Malaysia

Aerial view of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

The chaotic narrow tall building in Saigon. Small alleys that lead nowhere, thousands of cables and pipes hanging on the walls, almost no sidewalks and drains.

Our guide, Rose Hong wearing the traditional red Ao Dai at the airport

Saigon has two seasons. The wet season starts from May to November and the dry season starts from December to April.

Our luxurious bus for the 10 days trip with Rose Hong

Saigon is filled with 4 million of very noisy honking motorcycles. The first thing that will surprise you in your first visit to Saigon is the amount of motorbikes. To cross a street, it takes some practice. Do not wait for drivers to stop, instead, start walking at a slow and steady path. Look at the face of the drivers that will try to avoid you.

Our 1st lunch at Saigon Sport 3 hotel & restaurant. Food is one of the main reasons to visit Vietnam. Thanks to the French presence in the country. The most popular meal is Pho a noodle soup usually with meat 'pho bo is beef, pho ga is chicken'. Other specialty are the Vietnamese spring rolls with vermicelli and pieces of pork, prawns or beef wrapped around rice paper.

Visited the Reunification Palace. This building, currently a museum, used to be the official residence of the Presidents of the former South Vietnam government. It was here that the American led war ended on April 30 1975, when the North invaded the Palace forcing the president to resign.

American military hardware on display

We were briefed by an officer at the palace

Nguyen Van Thieu was the last president of South Vietnam

Presidential receiving room

Recreational room

A very large carpet at the entrance of palace

Elephant legs

Some of the President's trophy on display

1st Lady as drawn by an artist

A palace theater

Dinning room

Conference room

View of palace compound from the building

Used as escape helicopter during the last few days of war

Telecommunications center and war room

Palace kitchen with Jamie and Jocelyn Loo holding the large woks

Presidential car

War Museum opened on 4.9.1975. It specialized in research, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the remnant proofs of Vietnam War crimes and their consequences.

The tanks, helicopters, planes and arms on display do not attract visitors, but the images on display and see the effects of the weapons of mass destruction used during the American War as the locals call it.

American transport helicopter

Ammunition and bombs on display

Enjoying the cheap Saigon beer

Look at the 2L beer canister held by Andrew for only 140k dong

Day 02 (03.12.10) Saigon > Tien Giang > Can Tho

Woke up early for the 2 hours, 70km drive to the Mekong Delta. Breakfast at the popular Mekong Rest Stop with beautiful lotus garden. Start of boat ride at Thoi Son tourist boat station. Morning was visiting the islands and learn the livelihood of the people and their culture. The highlights in the afternoon was the traditional fish catching in a small river and cooking it for lunch.

Sleeping - Hotel Vuon Tao Dan, 86 Nguyen Thai hoc, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Mekong Rest Stop area car park

Beautiful lotus garden

Very good breakfast here at Mekong Rest Stop

The 'pho' noodles

Alistair with all the happy ladies on tour

Our boat ride started at this Thoi Son tourist boat station at My Tho

A majestic ferry with restaurant

The boat trip through some islands and its surroundings. The Mekong is one of the longest rivers in Southeast Asia and has its origins in Tibet. It flows across China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam where it dies. The delta lies 70km south of Saigon.

Rach Mieu Bridge - to connect Phoenix island with Tien Giang province

Landed on Unicorn Island for the bee-keeping farm and fruit orchards.

Free honey tea, banana wine and local fruits

Andrew, Jamie and Jocelyn Loo enjoying honey and banana wine

Bee Geok and I having some fun with a big python

Dato' Mohan showing the length of the python

Veron getting cold with it, 'Oh No!'

Free entertainment by local tribe - traditional Tai Tu music and songs

We sat on traditional rowing boat out of the canal to our motorized boat

Rowing in the canal

Val Allan showing his jumping skill

Visit this traditional coconut candy village. I bought a bottle of coconut wine here.

On smaller boat to another island for fish catching and lunch

David taking river view shots

We all wear the AoBaBa, a traditional dress and join in scooping water and catching fish.

This is my catch

Look at our muddy legs - Victor, Ching and Kee Moon

Mani and Letchuimy cooking our fish for lunch

This is the rice paper

Ca Nuong Trui (elephant ear fish) a specialty of the Mekong Delta

Dao Dua Vestige a strange place on Phoenix Island (ConPhung), was founded by Nguyen Thanh Nam known as the Coconut Monk. All his life he ate coconut and nothing else.

Balan and his wild banana fruit

At a crocodile farm

Typical Vietnamese bamboo bridge

The hungry crocodile below

Back to the mainland jetty for our bus journey to Can Tho City

Vinh Trang Pagoda which was built in 19th century with Asian and European style

The pagoda consists of 5 buildings, 2 ornamental yards and 178 pillars

Mekong River Sunset on our way to Can Tho City

Our hotel - had dinner on the 6th floor.

Day 03 (04.12.10) Can Tho > Saigon

After breakfast at hotel, we proceed to Ninh Kieu harbour and took a boat to Cai Rang floating market where you can buy fruits and vegetables from the boats. Along the river we could see many churches and Christian schools and the houses along river banks. We then visited the My Khanh fruit garden growing more than 20 kinds of fruits. Had lunch there and then back to hotel to check out for the bus journey to Saigon.

Sleeping at Hotel Hanh Phuc, 265 Nguyen Trai, Q.1, Saigon for 120k dong a room

Getting in a boat at Ninh Kieu harbor

A floating petrol station for boats

Rafts and boats are anchored along the two sides of the river.

On each boat, goods are hung on poles that are called 'cay beo'. This way, people on small boats know where they have to go from a certain distance.

All the goods are transported to the market by rafts and boats.

Boat traders plying along the river here to interchange their goods with other locals.

The market is divided into two parts: buying and selling places.

Mango as big as coconut for sale

Children selling bananas

A lady selling vegetables

Entrance to My Khanh fruit garden

There are also chalets for rent in the orchard

The garden in front of the ancient house

Inside the ancient house has many antique furniture

A cool walk through the fruit orchard

Feeding time at a crocodile farm

Dog racing competition

Pig racing competition

Wow! Beautiful bum on display

For lunch

Barbecue garden snails also for lunch

A very satisfying meal at MyKhanh restaurant

Visited another dirty market by the river

Taking a afternoon nap

River snails for sale at the market

Red river crabs good to eat

Poisonous snakes liquor are sold throughout Vietnam.

The group cheers to all in Saigon

Our second round of beer

Dato' Mohan, Ching and Dr.Sim enjoying Saigon beer in Saigon

Day 04 (05.12.10) Saigon > Dalat (305km)

Woke up early for the 7 to 8 hours bus journey to Dalat. Fantastic breakfast at Phuong Son Rest Stop with beautiful garden and a waterfall beside. Lunch was at Tam Chau restaurant and supermarket. The road journey up the hill to Dalat was filled with beautiful greenery and pine trees upon reaching Dalat at 3pm.

Sleeping at Hotel Hong Tam, 12A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Dalat at 330k dong a room.

Our guide, Rose Hong, Nhat and bus driver

The restaurant

Bee Geok, Alistair and Dr. Sim enjoying breakfast

Giang Dien Waterfall - we are fascinated by its vast wilderness, beautiful meadows, colourful wild flowers and the sight and sound of the waterfalls rushing in noisily.

Fishermen along the river

A rest stop for lunch and some shopping. Famous for Tam Chau Tea.

Dalat - City of Eternal Spring. Average temp. is 18 to 25C.

Dalat central market square

Dalat is 1,500m above sea level and is 305km from Saigon

Le Petit Paris

Catherine, Ching and Dr.Sim drinking Dalat Wine in the hotel

Wine party at the hotel lobby - Allan singing a love song to Veron. A good time to get to know each other better with jokes, singing, dancing and drinking. We made so much noise that were literally ask to stop by hotel guest at 10pm.

Day 05 (06.12.10) Dalat

After breakfast in hotel, we proceed to visit Truc Lam Pagoda on Phuong Hoang hill. Here you can have a panoramic view of the lake and a breathtaking view of the pine forest. Visited Datanla waterfall before going for lunch. Afternoon was the visit to the Bao Dai Palace which is the place of working and resting of the last king of Nguyen regime. Visited a Flower Garden of Dalat city with a lot of special and beautiful flowers in Lang Biang highland. The last place we went was the embroidery shop with amazing artwork by hand.

Sleeping at Hotel Hong Tam, 12A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Dalat at 330k dong a room.

Entrance to the Truc Lam Pagoda an institute for meditation

Truc Lam Pagoda is 4 km from Dalat

Total area is about 25 hectares

The residence nuns

The beautiful hanging flowers

Notice its cleanliness and well kept garden

A walk through the pine forest

Beautiful view of the Tuyen Lam Lake and the pine forest

Another view of the lake

Entrance to the Datanla waterfall. We had to walk 20 minutes down a very steep pathway. There is also mini roller coaster for those who do not want to walk.

The handicraft work

The traditional tribal house at the waterfall

The small bridge you could walk over, so you could get really near to the water

We also took the challenge to visit this haunted house before getting back to city

This is how the minority tribe drinks their home made rice wine at lunch time

Summer Palace of the last king Bao Dai is 2.5 km from Dalat

It was built in 1933 when Bao Dai was on his throne in Hue kingdom

The king had 8 wives and all the children speaks French and lived in France - never to return

Portrait of the King Bao Dai

It is filled with artifacts from decades and governments past

A view of the palace garden

A man without leg at the car-park

Dalat flower gardens was established in 1966

Admiring the hand embroidery pictures on the wall

The beautiful colour of hand embroidery picture

The showroom of "The Art Works"

House Of "The Artist Living In"

A mini replica of the Eiffel Tower lighted up at night

Day 06 (07.12.10) Dalat > Phan Thiet (200km)

After breakfast in hotel, we proceed straight to Lang Biang tourist area. We had to take a jeep up the mountain to discover the Legend of Love. On the way to Phan Thiet, we visited the Domain De Mari Catheral with French architecture including flower garden and the handicapped and orphans area. There is a shop that sells clothes and hats made by the children and nuns beside the church. We all bought quite a lot of things here as it was cheap.

Sleeping at Hon Rom 1, Mui Ne.

Entrance to the Lang Biang mountain of 2.400m

A zebra-horse

Wild horses running around

Only jeep is allowed to go up the mountain

A restaurant at the top of the mountain

The fresh air is cooling and the view is beyond words to describe.

Beautiful surrounding with strong wind blowing

The valley below is truly spectacular

A tribal family

All the daughters Chil tribe

Shopping again for the ladies

The Lach tribe handiwork

The legend of Love - Mr.Lang and Ms.Biang. Due to being in a different tribe, Bian could not marry Lang. So they both chose death to preserve their love and oppose the strict rule. After they died, the tribes took responsibility to merge.

Since then, young men and women of different tribes are allowed to love and marry each other

Domaine de Marie Cathedral, Dalat - the pink tile-roofed structure convent

Located on Tran Phu street is the largest church in the City.

Built in 1931 being the oldest architectural works in Dalat. The upper part of its wall were fixed 70 panels of color glass.

A flower garden in between the church and the living quarters

It was once home to 300 nuns. Suzanne Humbert is buried at the base of the outside back wall of the chapel.

Stopped for happy hour by the bush

Coffee fruits

We stayed in this beach resort at Mui Ne

Hon Rom beach resort at Mui Ne

The Mui Ne Beach stretches almost 20 miles into the South China Sea

Sunset view on the beach

Sunset view on the beach

More of Dalat wine at the beach resort

Balan and Teh doing the rock n roll

Everybody dance along even the bargirls

Another dancing sequence led by Val Allan. We continued dancing until the lounge closed.

Day 07 (08.12.10) Phan Thiet

Got up early and without breakfast to avoid the sun at the sand dune, we travel to Bau Trang to visit a natural fresh water lake and the famous Trinh Nu sand dune. Came back to hotel later for breakfast and lunch before going for a swim in the afternoon. We then visited the Cham Poshanuh Tower which is the place of Miss Ponagar's the youngest girl worshipped and Ong Hoang tower which is related to the love story between Han Mac and Mong Cam.

Sleeping at Hon Rom 1, Mui Ne.

Entrance to the White Sand Dunes

A beautiful natural desert lake

After the lake, you get to see the dunes under the morning sun

Although this is a small desert, the dunes are really awesome.

From the top of the dunes, I had the great view of the surrounding.

Popular photo shoot for the newly married couple

The strong winds in the afternoon move the dunes every day

Russian jeep track all over. Sand particles are very small, and with the strong winds that blow in the area you need a mask and glasses to protect your face.

If you want to use a camera, be careful as sand is one of cameras worst enemies.

This was the first time Bee Geok riding a special bike.

Fantastic adventurous feeling when riding on this vehicle

It was fun sand sledding down the dunes

It was more than 150 feet below

Jamie and I competing

Leng Chu on the way down very fast

I win you lose

Kee Moon unable to stop!

Phan Thiet used to be part of the ancient Cham Kingdom. It was here in 1306 that King Tran Nhan Tong agreed to the marriage of King Jaya Sinhavarman III of the Cham Kingdom with princess Huyen Chan. In 1692 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu invaded the area and incorporated it to the Nguyen dynasty.

Jamie with the Cham children

View of Phan Thiet from this Banai's Hill

At the Cham textile and handicraft shop

Learning to make Cham traditional textiles

Cham textile for sale

Phan Thiet River

Phan Thiet market

Our steamboat dinner at the resort

Janny Ho keep watch on the lady preparing our sea-food

A sea-food barbecue night was well organized by Dato' Mohan and Balan.
Public speaking session - Everybody had to give a 2 minutes speech on the trip.

Ching Leng Chu telling grandfather stories to the ladies

Day 08 (09.12.10) Phan Thiet > Saigon

After breakfast at hotel, we travel back to Saigon(222km) and along the way we visited the Red Sand Dune and around the Takou tourist area we took the cable car up the mountain to see the Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda with the biggest Buddha's statue in the Eastern Southern Asia which is 49 meter in length.

Sleeping in Hotel hanh Phuc, 265 nguyen Trai, Q1, Saigon

The Red Sand dunes

The kids you see here belong to the poorest families in the region.

As soon as you get to this Red Sand dunes you will be greeted by local kids. They will come to you, and say a few words in English. Some of them will help you walk to the top of the dunes. And when you leave, they will ask for money. Andrew Loo handed me some money to distribute to them.

Two minute cable car up the Ta Cu Mountain or a 2hour hike up

Andrew, Val Allan and Kee Moon

This pagoda was constructed in 1861 during Nguyen dynasty

This white reclining Buddha was built in 1972, at 49m is the largest in Vietnam

Dato' Mohan running up

The entrance to a small cave where the monk lived beside the reclining Buddha

A respect to the deceased monk

Had lunch in this restaurant on the mountain

Back to Ben Thanh market in Saigon

Day 09 (10.12.10) Saigon

Morning was the half day visit to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Back to the city for lunch and it was shopping time in the markets - Ben Thanh and Binh Tay. We also visited the post office and a church. Evening was dancing and drinking at Seventeen Saloon till early morning.

Entrance to Cu Chi tunnel is 35 km from Saigon

Looking for the hole

A Vietnamese soldier showing us one of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Pauline Toh trying to get it and out

This are the unexpected tunnels all over. It has more than 250km of tunnels

Some of the tunnels are several storey deep, included innumerable trap doors, constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

Ker Sew Huat trying to get into the hole

Teh Bee Bee with the Viet Congs

Some of the traps the Viet Congs used to kill their enemies

Target practice by Jamie Loo

Preparing rice flour by David Wan

Making of rice paper

Ben Thanh Market built in 1914

Beside the market, in the centre of the traffic roundabout, is an equestrian statue of Tran Nguyen Hai, the first person in Vietnam to use carrier pigeons. At the bass of a pillar, is Quach Thi Trang, a Buddhist woman killed during anti government protest in 1963.

The narrow street of Saigon

Saigon street vendor

French-style Saigon Central Post Office

Built in 1886 with its glass canopy and iron frame

It has a huge hall with stalls selling souvenirs

With long counter for customers to conduct their post and telecommunications business

Uniquely telephone boots inside the post office

Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877

Two 40m high square towers tipped with iron spires and a statue of the Virgin Mary in front.

The French stained glass windows

Binh Tay Market is the biggest in South Vietnam

It is located in the city's Chinatown, Cholon. Most shop signs are written in Chinese.

A wholesale market - a walk inside will be a pleasure for your senses.

The Philippine band at Seventeen Saloon along Pham Ngu Lao street sometime know as backpackers' street

The saloon was fully packed with drinkers - Balan looking at the cows

Cheers to Bee Geok & Teh Bee Bee

A sexy cow between two bulls

Bar-girl and Marlboro -man on standby taking care of the drinks

Dancing through the night with the band singer joining us in the dance

Val Allan leading us in a dance sequence

The barmen showing their fire-bottle throwing skill

Our Saigon friends, Jimmy and wife visited us in the evening.
Their driver is the father of our guide Victor Pham Thanh Nhat.

Day 10 (11.12.10) Saigon > Kuala Lumpur

After breakfast it was time to get back to Tan Son Nhat airport for our AirAsia AK881 flight back to KL at 10.35am. It was very sad indeed to bid farewell to our guides, Rose and Victor, who had been with us for the past 10 days taking good care of us. To all the travelers, we carried with us the fantastic memory and photos to bring back home and last but not least, it was the cheapest ground arrangement of the tour so far. AirAsia AK881 back to KL is RM310 pp

Rose and Catherine at the airport

Rose and Veron saying 'tam biet' goodbye

Total cost for the 10 days adventure as follows:

RM 524.00 - for AirAsia return flights
RM 700.00 - for meals, transport, sightseeing entrance fee and hotel
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RM1,224-00 per person
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