HO CHI MINH ESCAPADE - DAY 1 (HOTEL & LUNCH)

It was an ad-hoc decision made by the three of us to backpack and have a vacation in Ho Chi Minh City also known as Saigon in Vietnam. Armed with information and recommendations (from a friend's colleague who had travelled to that country early this year) such as cheap air fares, budget hotel and tour packages, we quickly booked AirAsia tickets for RM676 per person and hotel at USD23 per room per day. For this trip, each of us allocated a budget of RM1200-RM1300 per person only (including spending money) and true enough, we spent within this limit.

We left LCCT via the morning flight and touched down at Tan Son Nhat/Ho Chi Minh International Airport after 2 hours of flight. The airport was not crowded and thus we managed to go through the Immigration Counter without any beeline.

Our taxi driver (pre-booked from the hotel) had waited for us at the departure lounge holding a sign board bearing my friend's name. After loaded our luggages into the car, he drove us to the hotel where we will be staying for four nights.

Phan Lan Hotel located @ Pham Ngu Lao Street

Double bed + 1 single bed @ USD23 per nite

(air conditioned + ceiling fan and window view)

Clean toilet with hot shower
tv, mini fridge and wifi
After settled down, we started our itinerary by searching for good authentic Vietnamese food and exploring nearby attractions.

We spotted this small shop and decided to have our lunch here.

Condiments i.e slices of lime, pickled onion, chili flakes & sausages wrapped in banana leaf

Our order (fm l to r)plain beef noodles, spicy seafood noodles, a plate of mixed roasted meat, sausage + savoury cakes) & a portion of mixed greens

Do note that whenever you order beef noodles, you will be served with a plate of mixed greens containing basil leaves, shredded lemon grass & herbs/ulam which I enjoyed it so much.

Total bill came to VND96,000...indeed cheap