*Old Post from The World According to Angelicbug - From Saigon with Love 2 (October 26, 2010)

When I did my research about Vietnam, I somehow got the impression that HCMC was a shopping haven so yours truly planned the itinerary involving major shopping spree. Now, I am not saying HCMC has nothing to offer. They do but my budget does not permit for bigger purchases like dresses and blouses. I bought a lot of novelty t-shirts. And purses. I bought three purses during this trip but I am still using my purse which I bought three years ago.

After checking-in, we headed to HCMC’s Chinatown, Cholon in District 5. It is about 30 minutes car ride from where were staying. All the WWW will tell you that Binh Tay Market is one of the best place to go. Well, it is if you’re looking to buy wholesale. The whole market is packed with gazillion of things from clothes, shoes, household items, and kitchenware. Everything you need is there. Unfortunately, it is not a good shopping place for tourist.

We only bought purses and a cap for myself. The place was too stuffy and the rain was not a big help. So we decided to get some lunch before heading to the next shopping place.

If you’re unsure where to eat, fast food is always the easiest option. We head down to KFC. The menu differs slightly but it wasn’t the best KFC ever. In fact they ran out most of the items in the menu. *tsk tsk tsk* I ended up eating a fish burger in Saigon.

They also serve egg tarts very similar to Portugese egg tart. The taste okay-okay larr.

Our next stop was An Dong Plaza also in District 5. It’s not really a shopping mall but more like Greenhills in Manila where inside are stalls selling clothing and what not. Unfortunately, there weren’t as many choices. I did buy a pair of sunglasses and earring though.

Day two shopping at HCMC was somewhat scary and disappointing too.

We were at the Saigon Central Post Office, taking photos and sightseeing. We went to the gift shop and found the exact purses we bought at Binh Tay Market at a cheaper price! They also have really cool stuffs like paintings and sculpture. I wish I could bring some of it back, but I was content to buy a small drawing of the Saigon girls. Cost me less than RM10.00.

Next stop was the very much talk-about Ben Thay Market. The moment I stepped into the place, I freaked out. The place was super super crowded and the vendors were pulling, tugging, yelling and all that. We didn’t even need to venture that much. Each stalls sell pretty much the same thing but choices are plenty here than Ben Thay.

I am not very fashion conscious but the fashion available is pretty backdated. Like the 90’s. of course this is my own opinion larr. So it’s safer to buy t-shirts and cloths if you like. The Vietnam silk is pretty but too much bling for my taste.

The Ben Thay Night Market opens from 6om onwards and is located along the two roads adjacent the market. It is very much like the local night market with stalls selling clothes, food and other things. Nothing much though I did bought one Kimono robe on impulse. It was rather cheap after intense bargaining. I think I was the first customer so they did not want to jinx the sales for that night.

I have a very nice red colored kimono robe and nowhere to use it.
Go figure.

Day three was a visit to Saigon Square, another popular shopping spot in HCMC. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize there was 2 Saigon Squares. We went to the one in District One, near the Ben Thay Market. The other one is located near Saigon River. Anyway, Saigon Square is pretty much like An Dong Plaza, two floors of almost the same things but with better choices. I did found one nice top though, which I bought for less than RM10.00. What joy!

You know, if you’re a size M and below, you will have easier time to find something that fits. So maybe I am a little bias when I say there is nothing to buy.

We wanted to buy some Vietnam food and we were told to get them from the supermarket because it is much cheaper. We asked around where to go and they suggested Diamond Plaza. I don’t know whether they don’t understand what supermarket means or we’re just bad at explaining what we were looking for. Diamond Plaza is a departmental store. Very much like SOGO KL. Now, we compared the prices of some of the items available like branded bags and what not and after converting it to MYR, the branded goods in HCMC is cheaper than in KL.

Comparison is only made to several items, so this observation may not be accurate as well.

So, if you plan to shop at HCMC, bring along plenty of cash. You can opt to pay in Vietnam Dong or USD but better Vietnam Dong because of the currency exchange rate. More value for your money.

*Old Post from The World According To Angelicbug - From Saigon with Love (September 24, 2010)

well, not quite. I should have guessed that a city that changes its somewhat romantic name to a more ‘corporate’ one. [in my opinion of course] would mean a concrete jungle with CRAZY traffic and not so friendly community except for those few pleasant faces I met.

I knew it is a city but I imagined a more laid back place, almost like KK.

So, we arrived at the Tan Son Nhat Airport Saturday morning. After a very long walk from where we disembarked, we finally reached the immigration counter only to be greeted by this grumpy immigration officer. “Visa no Visa?” he mumbles while he keeps looking at me and my passport photo.

My smile disappeared and I was convinced he’ll deny me entry. I tried to remember all the forums and blogs about getting a visa. I gave the ‘puss in boots’ sad look’ and shook my head. He continued to look at me one kind but he stamped my passport anyway. He then moved his index finger, motioning me to go.

FYI, if you don’t have a Visa, you get to stay in Vietnam on Visa on Arrival for thirty days. Of course this is only for visitors from most Asean countries, Korea, Japan & Scandinavians. For more information, click vietnamstay.

To get to the city from the airport is pretty easy. There’s the public bus, the public taxi and the private car. After getting instructions from our friendly hotel people through email, we decided to take the taxi. Unfortunately, we freaked out when we saw the throngs of people outside the arrival hall. Under the pressure, we somehow thought we got lost so we opt for the nearest transportation counter we could find.

When I finally adjusted to the new chaotic atmosphere, I realized it was not a very smart thing to do as we paid double for the private car. A taxi would only cost us around VND130,000 which is about RM25.

Another FYI, you do not need to pay for the exit fare at the airport’s exit. Even if you do, it will only cost you VND10,000.00.

The 5 millions motorcycle in the city (a fact I learned during one of the tour) and the lack of respect for the traffic law scares me. To cross the roads takes courage, and the best advice I heard is, NEVER REVERSE WHEN CROSSING THE ROADS AT HCMC.

That is so true my friend. The car stopped across the hotel. I freaked out when I saw the cars/motorcycles coming from each direction. I unconsciously took a half step backward and the motorcycles honked at me. Jatuh juga larr my jantung sekejap. My friend wasn’t as lucky as she got hit by a bicycle. Nasib baik bicycle kan?

There are plenty of places to stay in HCMC but since we were on a very tight budget, we choose to stay at Saigon Mini Hotel. Though it is a little further from the “main” backpacker area, the rooms are huge and what’s important is, the toilet is clean. We only paid USD23 a night for a room for three persons which includes daily breakfast and free internet access. A very good deal if you ask me.

The staffs are friendly and very helpful too.

Though we had those minor inconveniences which involve the electricity and water, I had the best sleep compared to my other travels.

Breakfast was good. The choices are plenty but I love their bread and omelet the most. Sedap. Strangely, I miss their very strong coffee too.

Will continue the rest of the trip later.

Btw, my great advises about HCMC is,

1. Get used to the high-pitched voice, the grabbing, the stares and the unfriendliness. Just remember, this is their culture. Nothing personal.
2. Most of them don’t speak English. When purchasing or asking for anything, make sure you triple check the information. The high-pitched voice will kick in, but better be yelled at than to realize you got ripped off. True story
3. Those famous markets which were supposedly to be the best place to shop, is not that cheap after all. Check out those smaller souvenir shops. You can find interesting items with cheaper prices. For real.
4. Buy a decent raincoat or an umbrella.
5. Go out of HCMC to really enjoy Vietnam.

*Old Post from The World According to Angelicbug - The Philippine Trip Part 3

Our guide pointed to us interesting buildings and what not. We ohhhed and ahhhed but we, well I, was speechless when we reached the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila. With that much history and grief, that place is so beautifully peaceful.

The peaceful view

Names of the fallen heroes

blocks and blocks of names

the beautiful chapel

We had brunch at McDonalds. The menu is somewhat similar except for the burger with backed beans and they serve rice with their fried chicken and nuggets. Oh, they also have fried chicken and spaghetti. How cute is that?

When they told us we’re going to see an active volcano, I imagine having to hike the volcano to see steams coming out from the peak. I saw something about Taal Volcano in the world wide web but I never really pay attention to it because it was about 2 hours drive from Manila. It didn’t make into Our To Do List.

I was so comfortable in the car and with the aircond in my face I dozed in and out of sleep throughout the trip. *head hangs in shame* However, my sleepiness disappeared when I saw Taal Volcano. For the second time that day I became speechless and that, is a record people.

even with the haze, the view is still stunning

Taal Volcano is situated in the middle of Taal Lake, which we thought was the sea because it was HUGE. But excuse me, if it wasn’t the sea, than what are those little islands doing there? And those fishing thingy? Despite the haze, it was one of the most beautiful natural things I have ever seen.

I know we were at Tagaytay, but I have no idea where exactly we were going but I am sure it is somewhere great. Yes, I have that much of confidence in our guides despite the heart attack-ing driving, the somewhat bad sense of direction and the conflicting facts. It kinda made the whole trip more, fun.

Our first stop was a small chapel called Our Lady of Lourdes Church. It’s a small chapel overlooking the Taal Lake. The Quiet Guide bought us some local delicacy; something made with flour and sugar as well as the sweet Indian mango. Now the locals eat it with shrimp paste but I find it a little weird. The shrimp paste was tasty and I would have eaten it with rice instead.

the entrance to the church

delicacies sold by the locals in the church

Our next stop was Good Shepherd Sisters of Maryridge. The sisters from the convent are well known for their yams and other local product which they manufacture on their own. We tried the Ube (yam in Tagalog) dimples (it was rolled into small balls with dimple on it) and their flan. The dimples were a little too sweet for my liking and I am not being bias but I still prefer my mom’s flan.

I still have two small containers of the dimples if anybody wants to try them.

We continued our journey to the Country Club at Tagaytay Highlands. The road to the country club was winding but it looked pretty cool from a distance. The winding road that is. The view from the cable car block or whatever it is called was fantastic. Despite the hot sun, the wind was blowing. I could just sit there for hours and do nothing.

We went to see the outside of the country club and the place is better than most Country Club I know. *whistles* Bah, that’s the reality. The Chinese restaurant is so cool with its temple-liked concept. Although the club is a little run down, it does have a certain charm to it and the location was certainly a plus point.

the swimming pool area

garden

We then went to the other side of Tagaytay for lunch at this placed called RSM Lutong Bahay Restaurant. It has a gorgeous view of Taal Lake and you could also rent the giant telescope to look at Taal Volcano closely. What did I see? Well, since it was the drought season, all I saw were rocks or was it dried grass? I am not so sure. I only looked for 15 seconds before I lost my interest.

the view from the restaurant

Food was obviously good though the service was a little slow. We were half way done with our food when the drinks which we ordered earlier arrived.

We also visited the Pink Sister Convent who obviously wore pink habit. Why? I don’t know.

during the sunset mass

On our way back, we stopped by the roadside to get some Japanese corns and it is yummy!

There were plenty of things to see and buy, like the beautiful flowers, plants, cool carvings but we were too shy to ask them to stop. They also offered to take us to Greenbelt which we declined because all of them looked so tired.

Since this is our second last night in Manila, we decided to go out. We chose to go to Remedios Circle because it was nearer. There were plenty entertainment outlets but some looked a little dodgy. We chose Tia Maria because I remember reading a review about it on the world wide web and it looked pretty decent from the outside.

Tia Maria serves delicious Mexican food like nachos, tacos, burritos and many others. I am not a big fan but the food was good and the price was cheap. We also had local beer San Mig which is one of the local beer, I think. It’s very light and that is dangerous because if you’re not careful, someone will be hugging the toilet bowl later.

I'd be a good poster girl to deter people from drinking. Hee

Now, Filipinos are known to be good singers. They had two bands; 360 and Puzzle, which alternates every hour. Both bands are energetic and entertaining BUT I have to give Puzzle kudos for performing Hip-Hop & R&B music non-stop (the other band talked a little too much) AND I was impressed with the ‘uncle’ male vocalist. He looks like he’s in his 50s and yet he is energetic and could rap those rapper wannabe to SHAME. Too bad I don’t have a clear photo of him.

*Old Post from The World According to Angelicbug - The Philippine Trip Part 2

I am pretty sure I read it somewhere in the blogs and what not that the best cheap shopping destination in Manila is Divisoria. The Filipino chick we met in KK confirmed this. So I googled the map and it look pretty far from the hotel, but hey, if people say that’s the best cheap shopping place, then to Divisoria we shall go.

The first morning, we wondered how to get to Divisoria. We tried our luck by asking the reception if there were any direct jeepneys and guess what, there is. We only had to walk to Pedro Gil which is only five minutes away. Now, someone whom I shall not name said, based on common sense, we must cross the busy streets to take the jeepneys.

We did that and I nearly lost my head because I forget that in the Philippines, they drive on the other side of the road. I automatically looked to my right when suddenly a big bus come speeding from the left. Jatuh my jantung. Before I could recover, we found out that we were on the wrong side of the road and we need to cross the road again.

San Pedro street

We took a jeepney and paid RM0.50 and told the driver to show us where to stop. We passed by City Hall, Rizal Park and not long after, the driver told us to go down. I told myself it wasn’t that far until I realized we were in Binondo instead. I know for a fact that the two places are not that far apart, so we asked the tricycles driver how to get to Divisoria. They replied to us in Tagalog but from the hand gestures, that place is nearby. We told them we don’t speak Tagaolog, so they tried explaining to us in English but somehow his translation went back to Tagalog and his friends laughed at him.

Now, although I have googled Divisoria plenty of times, I have no idea how and what the place is like. I imagine it looking like our pasar malam. We walked around, unsure what we were looking for. Our biggest mistake was, we wasted too much effort looking for the Divisoria we imagined that we didn’t really enjoy the hustle and bustle of the area. There plenty of stalls selling almost everything imaginable. From fruits to shoes, plastics to clothes. Everything.

View from Divisoria Mall

We found the New Divisoria Shopping Mall and it wasn’t what we imagined it to be. In the building, there were smaller stalls that sells everything in bulk, however, the clothes and things available wasn’t what we had in mind. So we went out and continued walking. Now, the heat was terrible and the place was crowded. We did find few stalls that sell cheap and fashionable clothes from RM3.70 and that kept me going. We grabbed a quick lunch at Chow King and the food is yummy.

the malls

Our adventure continues and we found a stall that sells pretty masquerade mask at really cheap prices. I don’t know when I will ever need a masquerade mask, but I bought one anyway which the lady customized for me on the spot for only RM7.40. The two ladies also bought a mask for their own.

lots and lots of masks

While walking we found shops that sells wedding gowns, laces, clothes, scrubs but no clothes. I went around looking at the wedding dresses [out of curiosity] but my sister finds it a little pathetic so we went to the other block instead.

the haze and the crowd can be overwhelming

We found another shopping mall called 168 Mall and the things there were cheap with plenty of options. I was devastated to know that my shoe size is not common in Manila and I only ended buying a pair of working shoes and a pair of casual shoes for RM7.40 each. I also bought two slippers for only RM3.70 a pair and Ekiel’s slipper only cost me RM1.85.

At the end of the day, I announced to the girls that I am never coming back to Divisoria. I know I wasn’t the best shopping buddy with my migraine, the heat and the crowd. But now, when I really think about it, I am looking forward to go back and really venture that place.

you could literally shop till you drop

This time I will go earlier, with a hat, lots of water, a better camera and a big shopping bag. My fingers turned blue from all the plastic bags twisting around my fingers.

church in Binondo

a local boy taking his bath at the fountain

We got back to Manila around 7pm and had dinner at Red Ribbons. Again, food was good.

My sister has colleagues  from Manila who did some project at her office in KL. They came that night and took us out. They showed us a seafood place where diners need to go buy their seafood from the vendors outside and bring them to any of the restaurants available to be cooked. The concept sounded weird to me, but it was interesting to see people lining up at the stalls and bringing their dinner into the shop. The place was packed so we opt to go to Mall of Asia for dinner [again] at Gerry’s Grill for some local food. Don’t ask me what we had because I don’t know and yes, no photos were taken but trust me when I say the food was excellent especially the beef soup thingy and the grilled fish.

We went around Mall of Asia and decided to walk around the outdoor side facing the Manila Bay. There were plenty of things to eat, do and see. I am pretty sure it’s a popular dating location as there were many couples giving each other the lovey-dovey look.

the crowd at outdoor Mall of Asia around 10pm

the do silly and yet entertaining dances

While I was enjoying my local bubble tea with the gentle breeze blowing my greasy hair, a couple in front of me was busy taking their photo with a camera phone. The funny bit is, they don’t stop at one photo. After the 5^th or 6^th photo, I decided to make it fun for them and gave them the peace sign pose, the comel-comel pose, the serious pose and my personal favourite, my infamous macam mau kiss orang pout.

Fyi, Hooters Manila is located here. No, we didn’t go see because our guides were not like that.

Our nice guides took us around Manila. We went to many places, which I don’t remember now. We also crossed over river using the bridge with the funny lights. The lights went on like waves and it doesn’t serve any purpose except being the joke of every driver (The Talkative Driver’s especially) who crosses the bridge.

They told us that under the bridge is a charity home for some children. Before Manila, I would never believe anyone would live under the bridge but they do. Under the bridge, the flyover, monsoon drain.

some just slep by the roadside. a pitiful sight really

Anyway, going around Manila at night is differently beautiful especially when those churches and interesting buildings are lighted perfectly. A must for all photographers.

Rizal Park

Manila Cathedral

one of the churches in Intramurous

a chuch made of steel

Our guides offered to take us to see Taal Volcano the next day which we accepted graciously and I’m glad we did.

To be continued.