My journey from Manila to Ho Chi Minh is one I’ll always remember. We scored our tickets during a seat sale, and as expected, cheaper flights often mean late-night or very early morning departures. Our flight landed at 12:25 AM.

When we arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we grabbed a SIM card and withdrew some money. Both the SIM card counters and ATMs are available before and after immigration, making it easy to sort out your essentials. As we were heading out, a man approached us and casually offered a ride to our accommodation. He quoted a price that was more than double the fare of a Grab ride. We politely declined and opted to book a Grab car instead. It was a great reminder to always double-check transport prices, especially at airports.

Here’s the funny part. Before booking the hostel, I had one thing in mind: avoid Bui Vien Walking Street. I’m a light sleeper, and I’d heard the area could be noisy. However, upon arriving at our accommodation, I discovered that it was exactly in Bui Vien. I couldn’t believe it! I’m not the best at reading maps, and I definitely should’ve done more research beforehand.

By the time we got to the hostel, it was well past midnight, and we were exhausted. But, despite being tired, we couldn’t help but laugh at the entire situation. It was one of those moments when everything is a bit chaotic, but we made the best out of it. There’s something special about laughing together, even when you’re tired from traveling. It was one of those unforgettable moments that make traveling so much fun.

My vlog documenting our journey from Manila to Ho Chi Minh and our late-night arrival.

Since we arrived so late, we got some much-needed rest and didn’t start our day until around 11 AM. We weren’t in a rush, so we decided to take things slow and really explore the city. Our first stop was lunch, and we headed to a local eatery that had those low, traditional chairs you often see in Vietnamese street food spots. The food was delicious—simple yet flavorful, and it felt so authentic.

However, while we were eating, I had a slightly scary experience. There was a man walking near our table, who stopped and starred at us so intensely for what felt like an eternity while playing with a scissor on his hands. His gaze felt so unnerving that it started to make the entire meal uncomfortable. Eventually, he left, but it was definitely a bit unsettling. It made me realize the importance of being prepared when traveling like bringing self-defense items such as pepper spray. It’s not something I thought I’d need, but the situation made me reconsider.

What you’re seeing on the right side with the low chairs and tables is where we had our lunch.

I feel like I learned a lot about Ho Chi Minh City and myself even though I only spent a few days. We spent our time visiting some of the most iconic attractions, starting with the War Remnants Museum. It’s a sobering experience that provides insight into the war history of Vietnam.

Next, we went to the Saigon Central Post Office, one of the colonial buildings at Ho Chi Minh. It’s a great place to grab a postcard. Speaking of which, I tried sending a postcard to myself (still waiting for it, by the way). I hope it eventually makes it back home!

For me, it’s a unique souvenir, and I’ve never sent a postcard before. If you’re interested in doing the same, here’s the updated step-by-step process with the price included:

1. Buy a Postcard: Purchase a postcard typically around 20,000 – 40,000 VND.
2. Write Your Message: Write your message on the postcard and address it clearly, including the recipient’s name, address, and country.
3. Pay for Postage: The postage cost depends on the destination country:
4. Drop Off the Postcard: Hand over your postcard to the postal worker, and it will be sent to your destination.

We also took a bus tour around the city, which provided a great overview of the main sights and took us less than an hour. We purchased our tickets on Klook. To use them, you need to exchange your Klook voucher for a physical ticket at the booths or show the code to the staff before riding the bus. One thing I would note, though, is that the tour lacked explanations about what we were seeing or where to focus our attention. Personally, I think it would be much better if there was at least an audio guide explaining the landmarks along the way.

Ho Chi Minh Statue. It’s a figure of the revolutionary leader and a key symbol of the city. The building behind the statue of Ho Chi Minh is the People’s Committee Building (also known as the Saigon City Hall). It is a French colonial-era building located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, near the famous Nguyen Hue Street.

Independence Palace, an important historical site, which served as the presidential palace during the Vietnam War. It’s also known as the Reunification Palace. The building is a symbol of the country’s reunification after the fall of Saigon in 1975. You can explore the rooms, including the President’s office, the war operations room, and even the underground bunkers. We also booked our ticket via Klook. Here’s the updated version:

Personally, I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the Independence Palace. It’s mostly rooms, and while there are some text descriptions, I still felt like I was missing a deeper connection with the place. I think an audio guide would have made a big difference, providing more context and helping to understand the significance of each room.

We also visited the Secret Weapon Bunker in Saigon. This underground facility was used to store weapons and military supplies during the Vietnam War. It was kept hidden to protect important resources from enemy attacks.

The tiles were specifically designed to blend in with the surrounding area, serving as a hidden trap door. This clever design was used to conceal access to the bunker, making it harder for enemy forces to discover. It’s a small detail, but it shows the level of planning that went into keeping the bunker secret and protected.

We bought our tickets on-site. The bunker is small but full of historical items from that time. It gives you a good look at how the military stored supplies and managed resources during the war.”

You might think it’s strange, but I had to mention this: I tried McDonald’s in Ho Chi Minh, and it was hands down the best McDonald’s I’ve ever had. I’m not even a huge fan of fast food, but the lettuce, chicken, and sauce were perfect. It’s funny how something as simple as a fast food meal can stand out when you’re traveling, but this one certainly did. I enjoyed it so much, even after everything else I had experienced.

This picture doesn’t do justice to the taste, but trust me, it’s amazing! 😂 I’m just too hungry to take a beautiful photo!