Ho Chi Minh - 1 Dec 2011

Day 2 began after breakfast in the hotel. We had enquired on the previous night on which are the places that locals usually go to when they go shopping. "An Dong Market." He said. And the prices there are supposed to be much cheaper than Ben Thanh.

So off to An Dong Market (near the corner of Tran Phu and An Duong Vuong) we went. By cab, of course. We had no inkling of how An Dong would look like!

An Dong Market

Arrived and saw a building that's both huge and old. Stepping inside, and I felt like I've entered a time-warp back to the olden days. Not exactly ancient, but it ain't modern.

Lots of stuffs sold in there. Food, dry goods, jewelleries at the basement while the higher levels sells stuffs ranging from jeans, clothes, shoes, underwear etc. But it was difficult to manouvre between aisles. Very very narrow and the shopkeepers were busy packing, checking goods, talking to their regulars etc.

Went through a few of those aisles but didn't get a chance to see the goods because there were always somebody who needed to pass through. Somehow, I felt as if I was intruding their spaces.

Gave up after a while and went outside for a breather.

outside of An Dong Market

Didn't manage to get anything from An Dong Market. Proceeded to the next location, which is to visit Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. My friend asked if I wanted to go post office to post letter (?). Hahaha, the intention is to at least see two of the famous landmarks in the city.

Central Post Office, designed and constructed by Gustave Eiffel (yep, the same man who designed Eiffel Tower)

closer view, Gothic architectural style

inside Central Post Office

Outside of the Central Post Office, was approached by a lady selling postcards (10 pieces for VND20,000). Also met an elderly man selling silk painting for USD5.

man and his painting, outside of Central Post Office

The Notre Dame Cathedral is nearby, so went over to snap some pictures as well. Visitors who wish to enter the cathedral, do take note of its opening hours for public.


 

Notre Dame Cathedral, believed to be constructed between 1863 and 1880

statue of Virgin Mary in front of the cathedral

opening hours and mass schedule

since 1880

After that, we decided to walk, so we walked and walked. Along the way, we saw these.

looks mangled, but it works somehow

not sure what these were, but makes a nice pic, don't you think?

 

in Japan? Non, in Ho Chi Minh ;)

Lush, ranked #19/57 entertainment in HCM by Lonely Planet

We walked and walked and somehow ended at a place where there were lots of Japanese eateries. So decided to lunch at Hana Mizuki restaurant at Le Thanh Ton street.

After lunch, we went to a massage place for foot massage.

inclusive of tips, total is USD10

Apparently, if you're a guy, the girl masseur will attend to you and if you're a girl, then your masseur will be a guy. Hmmm...

The massage was interesting. For the head massage, seems like they use something similar to tiger balm and dot the cream on the temple. This massage place will knead the feet thoroughly and uses hot stone at the later stage. Not sure why, but the guy masseur who's attending to my friend, likes to giggle everytime we made eye-contact.

After the massage, we went to have coffee break at a place called Creperie and Cafe, near the Cathedral.

night view at Creperie and Cafe

This is also the only place where we noticed people eating the street-side snack pancake (banh xeo).

yummy thin crispy pancake

Next, we explored the night market outside of Ben Thanh.

night market

big cars can't enter the market but scooters still can

The night market, is a place where you can buy things at a good price. Do bargain before you buy. Most of the stall owners here are friendlier than Ben Thanh market.

We wanted to try Saigon's nightlife, but Lush was closed for renovations till 9 December 2011. So, ended up at a nearby restaurant for dinner instead.