Saigon Calls

It's probably love at first sight. With its red bricked buildings, herd of scooters, and pho restaurants, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam's capital) is a fusion of a rich historical past and of a growing modern commercialization.

Jung was my travelmate

Let's play I Spy!

I spy a grammatical error!

I spy a hanging underwear!

I spy pots and pans!

I spied this lady vendor receiving money from a customer, then later stuffed this bun with meat, lettuce, cucumber, etc with her bare hands. She did all these without even washing her hands! Hygiene is not a top priority here. 

What makes this city awesome for me is the fact that it's less polluted than Manila or Iloilo. The motorbikes help the people get anywhere they want and there's less traffic. I find it ridiculous to buy a car here. Be careful when you cross the streets, though. These drivers will never stop for you. 

Watch out when they drive in herds

The cost of living here is not that high. $1 is equivalent to 20,600 VND. You can buy a sumptuous pho (noodles) at 36,000 VND.

chicken pho and soymilk at 46,000 VND roughly around P80.00

An array of choices for you, but tissue and fork are not 'uso' here.

I was a millionaire in Vietnam. My $300 amounted to 6,197,000 VND.

There are many places to visit. You can have a city tour for $14.

Inside Reunification Palace

Thien Hau Pagoda or Chinatown? I can't remember anymore

An artist at work in the lacquerware shop

War Remnant Museum (Let Peace Prevail on Earth)

The General Post Office

The City Hall (is it? I'm not sure anymore)

Ho Chi Minh's statue

I will definitely go back there. Benh Tanh market, watch out for me! Every street name seems to have a Van, even our taxi driver is named Van! With its number of signboards with the word 'Van' on it, I felt like Saigon has been calling me all this time. I'm glad I responded to its call.