The Charm of Vietnam

During the past few weeks I have been traveling from one province to another to help out in trainings. Because trainings are being done simultaneously, it was very nerve wracking and exhausting to prepare for. Our travels to the sites also entail many airplane and bus rides.

Thankfully, my mom and my sister booked the three of us on a trip to Vietnam. This is the break I probably deserve after all the pressure I had to put up with. Thankfully also, my boss allowed me to go on this short vacation despite our busy schedule.

Vietnam has a lot to offer. In Ho Chi Minh alone, there are a lot of French-inspired structures that you wouldn't want to miss and shops you would love to shop till you drop. If you have more money and time, you can also spend a day or two in Hanoi.  However, since we barely had three days to go around, we had to choose the places we would go to. 

We arrived mid-afternoon on a Friday in Ho Chi Minh. Since my sister was insistent that we watch the water puppet show (which starts at 5:30 pm), we were not able to go around that much on our 1st day. Anyway, while waiting for our ride to the Water Puppet Theater, we decided to walk around our hotel area. A few meters away is the very grand Saigon City Hall which was built in 1902-1908. The place is not open to the public so all you can do is take pictures outside (bummer, right?). Adjacent to the City hall is the Continental Hotel which has a very impressive facade.   

 

You remember the statement one of PNoy's staff said regarding being run over by motorcycles in Vietnam? Well, you would be if you don't look left and right before you cross the streets. Vietnam has approximately 6 million motorcycles and only three million cars. Why? I have no idea. Nonetheless, it would be very unglamorous if you get hit by a motorcycle, don't you think? Some motorcyclists stop when people are crossing or tries to avoid running over someone. Just be careful in crossing the streets. That's a rule everywhere. 

The water puppetry in Ho Chi Minh is done in the Golden Water Puppet Theater which is basically in the heart of the city. Water puppetry is a tradition in which wooden puppets are made to dance in the water. The performance gives a glimpse of what rural life is in Vietnam. As you are watching this, you would become curious on how the puppets move in the water since you wouldn't see any puppeteers. At the end of the show, you're curiosity would be appeased and would be amazed with the dedication of the people behind this craft

The Golden Water Puppet Theatre

Here are parts of the water puppet show ...

Can you guess where these puppeteers hide during the show?

After that Water Puppet show, we decided to go to Ben Thanh Market to do some shopping. Just a warning, be extra careful when riding a taxi in any foreign place you go to. Make sure you are not being cheated. The taxi we rode in had a defective meter. We were made to pay 420,000 Vietnam dong or PhP 828.00 for a 15 mins. taxi ride. I wanted to kick the taxi driver but just to get things over and done with, we decided to pay him instead. 

Anyway, enough of that bad experience. Ben Thanh Market is like our Divisoria here in the Philippines. During the morning, the shops are inside this commercial buildings but during the night, shops are already in the streets. In my opinion, nothing beats the Bangkok tiangges but Ben Thanh Market comes close to it.

The next day was still my sister's "I-plan-this-trip-you-go-where-I want" day. So from Ho Chi Minh city, we had to travel for one and half hour to Cu Chi. It is my belief (and my mom & sister as well) that the place isn't really that far but since the speed limit in Vietnam's highway is only 80 kph, it took almost forever to reach Cu Chi.

The Cu Chi tunnels are part of an immense connecting tunnels that are found underneath much of the country. These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong (Vietnamese guerrillas) as their hiding spot, communication route and living quarters during the Vietnam war in the 70's. I was able to try going inside these tunnels and after a few meters I wanted to return to where I started. The tunnels are cramped, dark and hot. Adding to that is the feeling that there is not enough air for you to breathe. Nonetheless, we braved it out and was able to go out after twenty meters. That's something I wouldn't do again. Aside from the tunnel experience, we went around the jungle where the Viet Cong fought the Americans. We were also shown all these booby traps that were done with indigenous materials.

Our last night in Vietnam was spent aboard a floating restaurant that "supposedly" cruises the Vietnam river while you dine. But don't be fooled. Despite it being a two-hour boat ride, it just goes back and forth in the same area. Nonetheless, it was a must-try experience and the food was worth it.

Before we leave for Manila, we decided to drop by the Saigon Opera House which was a few meters from the hotel. Just like the Saigon city hall, you cannot help but be impressed with its facade.

Shopping was cheap. Food was great (despite the vegetable overload). Many places to go to. Many experiences to try. It was a very short trip but it had been a very awesome one and I hope I'll be able to come back and explore more. Vietnam, truly timeless.