Vietnam (in bullets)

And so I went to Vietnam (Saigon-Nha Trang-Mui Ne) for a post-birthday vacay with travel buddies Poma and Alecz. Here’s what I have to say:

1. Saigon is quite a shock at the beginning. It’s like one big Maynila (binondo, monumento, quiapo). Award sa dami ng rotonda. But it grows on you especially as it changes its face at night. Parang nagiging sosh pagsapit ng dilim.

2. I was a millionaire in Vietnam.

3. Sinh Café is a savior when it comes to tours. As in just go to their office (161 Pham Ngu Lao, Dist 1, HCMC)and you can book your tours/bus tickets na.

4. I almost lost my sanity inside the Cu Chi tunnel!! Mega dilim and death by claustrophobia! It was an experience, nevertheless.

5. I so loved the food. There’s blandness that translates to love. Hahaha. Well I’m a fan of bland.

6. First time to ride a sleeper train. Hard sleepers are not so bad except we had to ride with strangers.

7. Restlessness to the nth during our 8-hour train ride to Nha Trang. As in nagigising ako every hour!! Good thing we decided to simply take a domestic flight from Nha Trang to Saigon.

8. Nha Trang is so not the boracay of Vietnam. It’s more of Galera with a hint of Roxas Boulevard-ness. I don’t really recommend Nha Trang if you wanna beach yourself to death in Vietnam. Go to Mui Ne if that’s the case. Or stay in the Phils na lang. Boracay Island is the best pa rin!

9. Despite the fact that I was not feeling well Saturday night, I super enjoyed our Saigon bar hopping experience. Good company!

10. Bars in Saigon close early as compared to Manila ones. Wag ka umasa ng gimik until 4ish onwards. By midnight…ready to pack up na the gimik people.

11. If you get too drunk in Saigon Saturday night and you have an early morning bus ride to Mui Ne the following day..you can always sleep during the 5-hour bus ride.

12. Mui Ne is peace. More of bora if not for the absence of mga nagtitinda ng kung anik anik whatever. As in I enjoyed!!! It was kinda like my Bohol experience.

13. Big waves can be fun. And tiring. Haha.

14. Red Sand Dunes sledding is fun fun fun. Pero hindi masarap makakain ng lupa. Pwe!

15. If pressed for time, you can always buy pasalubong in supermarkets. :P

16. I loved their version of patis. I had to bring home a bottle!!

17. Will be back in Vietnam. To the northern part next time!!

18. Much love to Julio Malantic for all the kindness (and overflowing patience)!!

19. If you find yourself in Saigon, Nha Trang or Mui Ne, visit:

SAIGON

QBar- dungeon-ish bar! So I don’t get why most guests preferred to stay in the outside part of the bar.

Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, District 1, Saigon.

Bounce- this is kinda like version of Embassy Cuisine, I think. Nice but weird lang the mix of the crowd. Parang all ages. Ganyan.

39 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Saigon

Warda – chill chill place to drink and shisha yourself to death.

71/7 Mac Thi Buoi St, Ho Chi Minh City

Quan An Ngon- this is the best for me! Super loved the food: Lotus Salad; spring rolls; sweet and sour pork chever;etc.

138 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Dist. 1

Lac Thai- super delish Thai food and nice ambiance. Really loved the catfish salad.

Nguyen Van Chiem Street, District 1, HCMC

NHA TRANG

Louisiane Brew house- magsawa ka sa beer! Go variety!

Lot 29, Tran Phu

Pho Cali- cheapest meal we had in Vietnam, I think! And sarap!

7G Ð Hung Vuong, town centre

MUI NE

Golden Sand Saloon Resort- for seafood monsters! Oh, and Saigon beer is cheap.
81BIS Nguyen Dinh Chieu

Guava—for the gigantic yummy burger!!
53 Nguyen Dinh Chieu