Tag: Ho Chi Minh City

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon, Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
The Pearl of the Orient
A chaotic, enchanting swirl of sensory stimulation – Ho Chi Minh City has incense-infused temples,
colonial architecture, warm people, and delicious street food. Formerly known as Saigon, the city was affectionately-
labeled the Pearl of the Orient by the French. Afternoons here drift by lazily on the gentle chaos of
the River Saigon as taxi boats and motor canoes flit up and down, and parks fill out with locals playing jianzi,
kicking shuttlecocks back and forth.

The French colonial imprint is evidenced in the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica, which stands out with its grand
double bell towers and red brick hue. Just across the road, you’ll also find the celebrated Ho Chi Minh
Post office, which was erroneously credited as a Gustav Eiffel creation. In reality, the architect was another
Frenchman, Alfred Foulhoux. The French also caffeinated this city with coffee culture, and a refreshing iced
coffee from the innumerable coffee shops will perk you up instantly. Taste the street food to get under Ho
Chi Minh City’s skin, with humble restaurants serving rich flavors – from the Vietnamese take on the
baguette, a banh mi sandwich – to the local staple of pho, a delicious noodle soup. The Tortoise Pagoda is
a tranquil escape and a serene place of worship for Vietnamese who practice Buddhism and Taoism. At the same time,
the Vietnamese medical museum has a fascinating collection of remedies and potions – some dating back
to the Stone Age.

Journey to learn more about the Vietnam War at the Remnants Museum and Cu Chi tunnels. Offering a
vivid glimpse of conditions and the ingenuity and resilience of the soldiers, you’ll learn of the guerrilla war
campaign raged from within this claustrophobic, 70-mile network of war tunnels.

SIGHTS

• Ao Dai Museum
• Caravelle Hotel
• Central Post Office
• Cholon Mosque
• Fito Museum
• Giac Lam Pagoda
• 
  DINING
  Dining options in Ho Chi Minh City run the gamut from fine dining in secluded air-conditioned splendor to sidewalk eateries where the food is cooked in makeshift open-air kitchens. The dynamism and energy of the city is reflected in a dining scene bursting with international options and a host of fusion choices in between.

Today’s activities include:

9:45 Enrichment Lecture with Evelyn Evans – Ho Chi Minh Part Lenin, Part Gandhi, with a little dash of Confucius
The life story of the man who dedicated himself to Independence for Vietnam.

Today’s excursion – Saigonese Coffee Culture
We discovered how coffee is intertwined with Saigon’s local population, culture, and history.

Apartment Café, Sitting-Plump Café, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace
Naval officers formerly frequented this old apartment during the post-war period after Reunification Day in 1975, and it features several little coffee shops. The cafe can somehow keep a traditional Saigonese feel, even though it sits in the center of an otherwise modern part of town. After visiting the different coffee shops inside the Apartment Café, we drove to Café Bệt, the ‘Sitting-Plump Café.’ In the central park near the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Reunification Palace, students, workers, and even foreigners can be found with a plastic cup of this cafe’s coffee in hand. This area also offers fantastic views of the city’s most attractive highlights.

Racquet Café, Saigon Retro Concept Café & PHO Noodle Shop for snack/lunch
Next, re-board your coach and drive to Café Vot, the ‘Racquet Café ‘. During our visit, we observed how they traditionally brew their coffee for its unique and special taste and enjoy it on the sidewalk filled with tiny plastic stools. Our last stop is at the Saigon Retro Concept Café. Located in a small valley, this eclectically-furnished café exudes a laid-back vibe and a cool, retro feel. Following a cup of coffee here, drive to Pho, a local noodle shop, for a snack lunch with a noodle soup or ‘bánh mì,’ a type of sandwich that consists of a Vietnamese baguette that is split lengthwise and filled with various savory ingredients, along with a cup of coffee. Coffee here is not just a drink but a social aspect of life. Morning, noon, and/or night, coffee is for people of all ages and classes, and a part of Saigon’s history is brewed into every cup of coffee made here.