Out and About in Ho Chi Minh – Saigon
In need of a positive cheer-up, after I visited the War Remnants Museum, I decided on my next destination. I had read that Ben Thanh Market was one of the most well-known landmarks in Ho Chi Minh and a good place to buy local souvenirs. Since I needed to purchase sandals (I had thrown away my old ones in Thailand!), I decided to give it a go. Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1, while the museum is in District 3. With the help of Google Maps, I realized it was only a short walk of less than a mile. Slowly and shortly, after 25 minutes, I arrived.
When I got there, I actually did not find it particularly special; my first impression was overcrowding. I did not particularly see anything unique, so I only purchased two pairs of sandals for 600,000 Vietnamese dong. Each pair cost me around £9, still cheap by UK standards but much more expensive than other markets I had visited in Thailand and Laos. Vendors are savvy at bargaining, so I should have brought my mum again!
I refrained from trying any food from the local stalls as the market was too busy and quite overwhelming, which also discouraged me from any further shopping. I left. The walk back to my hostel was only 15 minutes, so I began preparing for a night of reunion with some Colombian friends.
SH Garden Restaurant
In the evening, I visited SH Garden Restaurant to meet my friends. Situated in District 1, I opted for an Uber Moto this time, which cost me only 14,000 Dong, equivalent to less than 50p or 2,000 Colombian Pesos, for a 12-minute journey!
I must say, this was truly a must-visit! After ascending an old-fashioned lift, I reached the best view of Ho Chi Minh. Since my friends prefer not to be featured in pictures, it appears as though I’m alone.
I also discovered this wonderful place to savour the authentic local cuisine. Since my friends have been living in Saigon for a few years, they knew exactly what to order from the menu! I particularly enjoyed the lotus-wrapped rice, omg! beautiful and tasty! The service was amazing! While it was a bit expensive (luckily, my friends invited me!), I believe it’s well worth it for the incredible view of the city and the exceptional service. I truly recommend it. We had an amazing dinner and decided to continue our reunion afterwards.
Beirut Garden:
It’s a cool spot to enjoy a drink or two, accompanied by a good fruity shisha smoke pipe. I found it hilarious, especially when the belly-dancing ladies approached our table, dancing and flirting away with the three of us – that was fun. The Arabic music added to the entertainment, and it was a great way to wrap up the evening.
Apocalypse:
Our last stop of the night, as if we didn’t want the party to end, so we moved to this place! It’s so much fun to reunite with friends you haven’t seen for a while, and we cherish every single moment. This bar is better known among expats living in Saigon, so there were lots of foreigners and Western music. Apparently, it’s the place where men go to meet and befriend local women mmm. As for me, I had a fantastic night of music with friends, and it didn’t feel like I was in Asia here.
“My heart burns for the city lights 😍😍”
Sending love to the reading eyes.❤️
Jenny
Jenny Sky Is The Limit 
Leave a comment