Vietnam City Tour: Let Me Bring You Around Ho Chi Minh (S.E. Asia Backpacking 2nd Day)

We are staying in this little alley; where you will experience the Vietnamese street life at it’s best.

Hmm, it’s difficult to get on writing a blog post when there’s great movie playing at national television now.. while having great cold beer.

You know it’s difficulty not the have The BABABA beer daily when it’s only RM1.35 each

We started the day by exploring for breakfast around the neck of the woods.

Squatting at table with the locals while enjoying cà phê đá (iced coffee)

We are staying far away from the tourist hotspot, so the locals are natural very interested and attracted with us.

Every time we spoke Vietnamese, like Cảm ơn (thanks), they keep smiling.

Gosh! these people are so friendly!

Benh Market

Today, we are better in trading with Vietnam currency, and getting familiarized with numbers too!

We are able to ask price and understand, some times even able to haggle price because they say I am cute (!?).

Today, there’s already 2 ladies said I’m cute. That’s not the word I’d like to get associated to but, what the heck lah, as long as I attract females hahaha.

Shopping Spree in Saigon Square

You can get most of the rip-off goods here for a fraction of the price. Located in middle of the city, it’s impossible you will miss this place.

You can find ADIDAS, Nike, Polo, all sorts of clothing apparels for around RM13 per piece of shirt.

SHIT, SO NICE!

We have to refrain ourselves not to buy more cloths because we do not wish more weigh to our backpack.

Shannon put on GoPro for the first time and we wanted to show the locals crossed the busy road. It’s a great experience.

We skipped most of the major tourist attraction, and explored around the places and do what the locals do. For e.g. we have coffee together with locals, read Vietnamese newspaper, learn to walk like them.

The only thing we did differently is we get lost easily constantly; unlike the locals.

General Advice for Electronic Goods

If you don’t see anyone holding iPad on the street, best advice is: you don’t hold iPad too.

We do not need extra attention. One iPad will cost 4 times of their monthly salary.

Ridiculous Price

While they say the goods are cheap here; we’ve experienced it first hand. The backpack I bought in Singapore is $RRP349, and after 50% discount, I paid SGD$174.5 (RM437.00). The exact bag I saw here? 400,000dong (RM58).

Shannon bought his wind-breaker for SGD$120 (RM293). We found the same one for 150,000dong (RM21) HAHAHHAHAHHA.

I keep laughing at him whole night. If we weren’t backpacking, I’ll bankai and buy everything in sight.

Banh Banh Banh (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)

Today we had 3… or 4 baguettes, also known as the official sandwich of Vietnam. You can read more here if you’re fans of great sandwiches.

More Food

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don’t know any of these food’s name! Pathetic!!! All I know the restaurant is called nhà hàng ngon, which means “restaurant delicious”.

Vietnamese Beauty

Generally, Vietnam people are beautiful people. For most of the females, they have the good looking face, S-curved body, huge boobs and tight hips… really!

And you can hardly find overweight people here because their daily lives involves a lot of physical activity. For eg. they bike to every where and their main diet consists of mainly vegetables.

As for guys… me no gay me no comment.

Y U NO Cover Your Food?!

I don’t see housefly here. Can any one tell me why?

I noticed the food are not covered with plastics or whatsoever. The houseflies would be happily dancing around our food if it’s at Malaysia.

Vietnamese Rich People

Only rich people own a ride. People here are generally earning USD$150-$250 average per month. Cars are taxed 150% (small problem, we Malaysian pay 300%!! ..motherfucker).

The main problem is you won’t be able to park your car in your house because every one has similar land size, given since communist era. So naturally only rich people able to buy neighbouring lands, and able to park car in their house. When people own car here – it’s either Porsche or Chevelette.

Taxis are excepted though – they are every where! They are given special permission to HORN HORN HORN as well. Fascinating stuff!

You Are Very Cute

Today I am happy. Ladies said I am cute. Once when I was buying cap in Benh Market; another time is our host, Dilinh Pham that said I am cute.

Sticking my fat face in up close so I can take photo with taxi driver

The Reliable Taxi Company

Our host gave us some local advice while we were exploring the city. “First, only take 2 taxis – Vinasun and Mailin company ones”.

“MAI LIN AHHH?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, take Mailinh Taxi". I giggled so hard!

Mai-lin means “what the fuck” in Hakka. 

Vietnamese are OPEN Minded

As in, they know how to have great pleasures.

Yes, sexual pleasures.

I am from Islamic country so I am slightly accustomed to conservative mindset. Communist country does not equal to Islamic country. Enough said!

The cloths are slowly revealing so I make sure I share again if I found more juicy story to share!

War Reminiscent Museum

Vietnamese suffered so much during war. It’s painful to see their suffering photos, as well as the troops too T_T

All the pictures I took is before I see the “core” of the museum. I would act more serious if I knew the history and sufferings better before stepping in. Always respect others’ culture.

Notre Dame Cathedral

We were here too early as the church haven’t open, so we stayed outside and play with birds hahahaha. Nothing worth mentioning this part; I just want to write it down in blog for future reference.

The Tasty Street Food

You see, the best food is where the stall is always full. We always wanted to try the pork chop that’s being barbecued directly at the road side. Finally, we gave it a shot. We walked up, point to the pork, do our usual “peace sign”. Happily have our meal!

This Special Dark Tunnel

This is the same lively alley that leads to our house. At night, the street turn into a creepy tunnel. However, our alertness has dropped considerably since the people are so nice and friendly here. We are getting to know the street people too!

Where I Today?

Extra Notes:

If you are following this blog post daily.. I encourage you to check out this blog around noon daily. When I’m done writing each post it’s usually 2am here.

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