well, to think about my experience in Ho Chi Minh city (HCM) Vietnam, Noisy and Dirty will be the most appropriate words that best describe my encounter that comes vividly into my mind when i thought about it. However despite the noisiness due to its very complicated and messy traffic, as well as the streets and roads that will make you frown over its unsatisfactory condition, I am impressed by the tourism industry of Vietnam built on its very brilliant mixed historical culture. It is organized, and so fully-utilized that it provides easy access to all tourists that are interested to go on day trips. Along the Pham Ngu Lao street, which is often known as the 'backpacker street', you can find a whole row of local travel agencies that offer day trip packages at reasonable prices. Prices are rather constant, and the packages offered are similar. Yet it won't harm to visit several agencies before booking your trips. Try to look for TNK travel agency. There's where we got really experienced and fun-loving tour guides :)
That's how a country with strong historical background should work - to make the tourism industry blooms and fully benefit from it. Unlike in Malacca. We're crowned with the fame of World Heritage yet you barely see swamps of Westerners around. There in Vietnam you see Angmohs everywhere. They love the place, despite it's noisiness and dirtiness like I've mentioned. They enjoy living like the locals, sitting on the little stools along the street in front of old stalls or shops, drinking Saigon beer with the locals and watching the busy streets filled with rampaging motorbikes, bicycles, and people selling newspapers, fruits, and even books, pirated, of course. Another reason might be the interference of the US Army in the country's politics during the Vietnam War that makes it a nostalgic place for many American veterans, and of course, curious young Americans. I find the place interesting too. Everywhere along the street you see stalls and shops selling all kinds of local food, paintings and handicrafts. What fascinated me the most will be the little food stalls along the street.
It is never a waste effort to learn about Vietnamese food online before your trip. I enjoyed reading the Vietnamese words written on the stalls in my own way (which is obviously not accurate) and tried to recall what I've seen online. Though very keen to try out everything I see, the poor hygiene made us think twice. Still remember me and sis were eyeing for Banh Mi(Vietnamese sandwich) from stall to stall until we found a 'safer-looking' stall with their menu written in English, using laughing cow cheese and looking clean.
We had 2 encounters with Banh Mi of different fillings - one with pig liver pate and another one merely with cheese and egg. I don't eat pig liver, but I was surprisingly okay with the pig liver pate Banh Mi whereas the others found it disgusting. They can't stand its smell! Me and sis managed to finish the whole thing though. Proud to say! :D The cheese and egg Banh Mi was more acceptable. It was nice. Thanks to internet resources that taught me how to look out for stalls that use this kind of cheese with a red laughing cow packaging. It is cream cheese and we're pretty sure it is sold in Malaysia too. So yeah, look out for the laughing cow when you're thinking of buying yourself a Banh Mi :D
See the difference? the first stall with the laughing cow cheese boxes and the second one without. They're often displayed behind the glass of the stall :)
Another significant thing you see everywhere will be the bundle of wires crisscrossing over your head when you walk along the streets. I don't know what to comment about them, i find them interesting though. and the locals seem to be very comfortable with their disturbing appearance.
The hanging wires silhouetting against the setting sun
Our first dinner in HCM city was in this noodle shop called Pho 24. I found it among the must-eat recommendations online and we were lucky enough to have it right next to our hotel in the Pham Ngu Lao street. When you tell people you're going to Vietnam, you'll always be reminded to try out their very famous Beef noodle soup. Hence there we had our first Pho Bo (Beef noodle soup) in Vietnam and I thought it was alright. I expected something more exotic than the Pho Bo that is catered to please the tourists' taste buds in a franchised restaurant. Besides that, the price was reasonably slightly higher than the roadside stalls but it's still within acceptable range.It is worth a try :)
pho24 can be found almost everywhere! The one we had our dinner was right beside Vien Dong Hotel 275A Pham Ngu Lao street, District 1, HCM.
The order comes with a platter of vege costs about 10000VD - i especially love the tau-geh!:D
More posts on my Vietnam trip coming up soon. stay tuned! :)
