My Vietnam Vacation

I must admit that Vietnam was not tops on my list of places to go see.  I knew I wanted to visit South East Asia, I was just unsure of exactly where I wanted to go.

However, once I started doing some research, I discovered that Vietnam is a fascinating and breathtaking locale to visit.  So I decided to book a trip!

When I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam, I remember being astonished by the hot and humid weather that greeted me as I disembarked the plane.  From leaving the cool, dry weather in the United States, it seemed like a shock to my system.

I was lucky enough to be in Ho Chi Minh City over New Year’s Eve.  It was really interesting because Christmas and New Year’s are the most popular times to get married in Vietnam, so we witnessed many couples dressed up in their wedding regalia. 

To get around and see the sights of the city, I rented a motorbike, which is a popular method of travel in Vietnam.  You can usually rent one for under $10 US per day, so it’s extremely reasonable.  It was quite an experience and definitely not for the faint of heart!  It seems that obeying the traffic laws is optional!

If you go, I highly recommend spending time in the Ben Thanh Market. Here you find great merchandise for a fraction of the price that you would pay at the more touristy shops and markets on Dong Khoi Street.  Be prepared for over stacked and overcrowded aisles – but if you have patience, you’re sure to find great items and great prices!

If you’re looking to get out of the city to experience the great beaches of Vietnam, go and visit Vung Tau, a popular beach local that is only one hour and fifteen minutes hydrofoil ride away from Ho Chi Min City.  Back Beach is great for nightlife and Mulberry Beach is more subdued.  You can also visit the lighthouse and the giant Jesus statue.  It’s best to visit during the week to avoid the crowds.  The beaches definitely make it worth the trip.

One of the staff at my hotel recommended the next activity I did.  It’s called the Water Puppet Theatre and it is a rare chance to see this traditional Vietnamese art form.  Located just inside the grounds of the War Crimes Museum, fighting dogs, dragons and lifelike people puppets are brought to life with elegance, precision and power on the surface of the water.  This professional production is first rate and only costs a few US dollars.  Well worth it!

There are many other fabulous sights to see during your Vietnam vacation.  Pick up a travel guide before you go and highlight the places you really want to see so that you don’t run out of time before you’ve seen all the amazing sights!

Before I sign off, I’ve got to mention the magnificent food I experienced during my vacation.  So many cultures have influenced the area that you can find almost every type of food represented.  There are wonderful European restaurants and of course, great restaurants featuring the flavors of Thailand, China, Japan and even India.

Vietnamese cuisine is similar to Chinese and Thai cuisine, but it does differ.  The defining qualities are a prevailing lightness because they use little fat or oil.  They also do a superb job of blending complimentary textures and the use of their salty sauce made of fermented anchovies called nuoc mam.  Be sure to take the time to savor the local cuisine because it really is quite spectacular!

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City was a trip of a lifetime for me.  I enjoyed it so much that I cannot wait to see other areas of this amazing and wonderful country.

Posted by on 10/11 at 10:57 AM

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