La Belle Vietnam

Je ne sais pas s'il en est de plus blonde,

Mais de plus belle, il n'en est pas pour moi.

Elle est vraiment toute la joie du monde,

Ma vie commence dès que je la vois...

Music Clip : C'est Si Bon by Yves Montand, 1948

Exploring countries in Asia is a ‘never boring’ moment for many travelers.This continent is rich in culture, has a lot of exotic foods(even fried scorpion or grass hopper, hihi), beverages (don’t be surprise if somebody ask you to try a zip of snake wine), remarkable tropical panoramic view, and the last but not least public art markets and interesting top brand boutique forshop ‘till you drop, hhooorraaayy!
WANTED : A Good BARGAINING Skill!

This time, I made up my mind to take a break for a week to Vietnam – Saigon, Ho Chi Min City and Vung Tau City. This country in South East Asia have many sophisticated touristic destination but also gloomy past history during the war time. Thank God in 2012, the governments keep upgrading its citizen welfare especially in economic, trading, health, and education sectors especially for young generation. Building the nation physically, mentally, and spiritually is what you have to do if want to achieve a higher standard of living and more civilize society.
Wondering how was my quick surprising summer gate away goes?
Just check this out…

Tracing Steps of Heroes

Vietnam Soldier - Cu Chi Tunnel,  July 2012

Colonialized by China for almost 1000 years and French for 100 years had made Vietnam adopt aristocrat EuroChina culture (from my point of view). It takes more or less 3 hours to fly from Jakarta to Tan Son NhatInternational Airport in Ho Chi Min City. In the past, this city was known as Saigon. Today, people call it Ho Chi Min City in honored of Sir Ho Chi Min as former Vietnam Military General. He is known as father of Vietnamese. Even so, many people still call this vintage city as Saigon.
If you don’t mind, try to pronounce it well : SAIGON, with the ‘N’ pronounce as ‘NG’ just like French language.Vous comprenez?

9-10 million people dwell in Ho Chi Min City - Southern Vietnam. A lot of people work for agriculture sector, foot wear and textile industry, and electronic industry as their main business. From many testimonials, goods made in Vietnam rated as good quality both for local people and export. The clothes, shoes, bags, souvenir, art & craft made by local people have a neat stich and modern style,some of it still infused by Chinese culture as its ornament. Vietnamese art work like painting, embroidery, traditional silk, and jewelry have remarkable decent color and design. Yes, all is worth to be collected!  Just my wild guess, Vietnamese can make well-made goods because of French influence. The French came and introduced European culture, high and modern standard of making something to them from building architecture to art & craft and daily needs. What a positive value!

During the war time with America and French, Vietnam soldier built an underground tunnel in the forest. This super complicated deep  underground place known as Cu Chi Tunnel. The tunnel incredibly long and winding. It was used as home and shelter for Vietnam troops and citizen. They were hide, plan war strategy, make weapons, and live inside it for many years in order to survive. In the night, they came out and killed their enemy silently. You can visit this place by bus or simply ask your hotel reception to get city tour. Be ready to experience battle atmosphere in green jungle and harsh gun fire sound (there is a gunshot area for military practice too) and dangerous sharp steel traps. My tip, wear comfortable shoes and casual cotton clothes. If you brave and curious, try to walk inside the tunnel in short distance. Have a nice struggle, General!

Beach Baby Beach!
After serious trip to historical destination, let’s break free and have fun in the sun at worth seeing Vung Tau beach. Located at Vung Tau City, this place is about 3 hours from Saigon. A lot of modest hang out places until 5 stars hotels are ready to serve you. A lot of seller in bike are easy to find along the coast to buy snacks and hot/cold drink during your happy time with you friends by the sea. Sunbathing needs, fashion, foot wear, and toiletries can easily found at nearby stores and mini market.

Vung Tau Beach has calm wave not like the big one in Bali or Hawai that you can go for surf. You can enjoy swimming around the silent wave and making a beige sand castle with your friends. If you want to find some restaurant or a coffee shop, just walk to Phan Chu Trinh Street. You will find many hangout places in cozy atmosphere and beach view. Just relax and enjoy the menu and hospitality.
Praise the Lord, the world is beautiful!

Vung Tau Beach - Vietnam, July 2012

Jesus Christ Hill - Vung Tau City, Vietnam, July 2012

The view in Vung Tau City is quite romantic with sacred pagoda in the middle of the sea. There is also a hill especially made for a spiritual journey. Try to climb it up in hundred stairs (no pain, no gain). On the top of the hill, you will meet a huge Jesus Christ with open arms statue that welcomes you in the name of love. The statue is similar with the one in Sao Paulo – Brazil. Have no vision? Remember the music video “Lost in Space by Light House Family”. Yeah, that’s it! Don’t forget to occupy your digital camera, click for fun!

Need a good and fair price hotel recommendation? You can try to book the room at The Coast Hotel, www.thecoasthotel.com.vn. The room interior decorated with wood, rattan, and ivory color scheme which totally gives you sense of peaceful by the sea atmosphere. Never miss the chance to try Vietnamese Noodle, Fried Rice, Porridge, Sandwich and fresh fruits during the breakfast. Most of it cooked with pork, so mind your appetite if you are forbidden to enjoy this meat. But I couldn’t help myself to say, damn… the pork is truly delicious! What a heaven taste! =)

A Down Town Walker
Back to Saigon, I plan a city tour after few peaceful days at Vung Tau City. When I walk in down town to enjoy my moment of freedom, I feel like in Europe but with tropical climate. It’s hot and sometimes raining unexpectedly. By night, try to have a sophisticated cruise dinner on the big boat in Saigon River. This experience is truly memorable. Enjoy this moment with excellent food & wine, folk songs performed by Vietnamese musician and dancer. After your stomach full, just walk outside and please your eyes by looking the colorful city bright light, and breezy night wind. What a romantic view, parfait parfait parfait!

Dinner Cruise - Saigon River, July 2012

You can visit the Opera House and big post office by noon. Both have remarkable baroque architecture. Try to walk inside of post office building then you will find yourself surrounded by tall arc-ceiling, sophisticated burgundy wooden interior, and of course Sir Ho Chi Min big picture. Across this building, there is an old Cathedral with sharp triangle tall roof and the wall made from orange brick in Gothic style. All the building materials imported from French. Oh la la…c’esttres belle! You can take picture in the park with St. Marie Regina Pacis statue and tame grey doves in front of this church.

Saigon Opera House - Vietnam, July 2012

Vintage Post Office - Saigon Vietnam, July 2012

Not far from Cathedral, there is a lot of shopping place in district 1- Ho Chi Min City. This country uses Dong as currency. Challenge your bargaining skill (I think you must try if you travel to Asia!) and visit Ben Thanh Super Market. This huge public market offers you many things from daily grocery, fashion, footwear, accessories, art, and craft. Don’t get lost inside and prepare Dong as much as you need! Enjoy the good price, good stuff, and mind your belongings.

If you want to buy high end product, visit Vincom Center and Parkson Shopping Mall. This shopping paradise is ready to serve you with original branded goods, yummy!! Find also artworks, painting, jewelry-watch boutique, and high quality silk clothing in private shops along the Dong Kho Street and Dong Du Street near Sheraton Hotel. Tara&Kys Art Gallery at 48 Dong Du Street is one of interesting shop to buy Saigon colorful painting, batik or traditional souvenir. The colorful Budha paintings, unique greeting cards design and postcards from this store are so good! The postcards collection is also pretty as home decoration. This art shop recommended by “Le Guide du Routard- France”, www.tarakys.com.

One of the special artwork that you shouldn’t miss is traditional Vietnamese hand embroidery (At least you must come to the shop and see it. $$$$$). XQ Vietnam (www.xqhandemroidery.com) offers a lot of stunning hand embroidery painting. Please your eyes and heart to see a lot of panoramic, sacred animal, public figure, and natural scene made by high quality silk yarn. You can also find beautiful silk traditional Chinese clothes a.k.a Cheongsam dress. Embroidery decoration is on each of it with multicolor and motives. Find also the appropriate accessories like flower head band or small hair pin for your hair.

Visiting local shop to buy Vietnam Coffee or traditional herbal tea is a must. You can buy it for family or friends who are coffee or herbal tea drinker. Vietnam coffee smells good and the taste is a little bit different with a hint of sour after you drink it. This country also famous with its tropical fruits, such as : watermelon, sweet lychee, banana, pineapple, dragon fruit, and sawo (like kiwi fruit but it has brown color inside and the taste is sweet). Enjoy the fruit as snack or after having your meal.
At last, explore the airport shop for high quality tax free goods before the boarding call. Chocolate, cognag, cosmetics and leatherwear are waiting to be yours. Aurevoir!     

Note : All photos taken by writer.