Vietnam Itinerary Day 3 [Mui Ne-Da Lat]

Mui Ne: a town that located east of Ho Chi Minh; a fishing village which currently becomes tourists attraction with a lovely stretch of beaches.

Exploration started as early as 0500 whereby our driver already standby before the promised meet up hour. We were traveling for about 30 minutes in dark from our hotel to catch a glimpse of sunrise at the well known white sand dunes. It was pretty dark where we could only rely on the light from the jeeps, cars and vans. Jeep ride is required to located yourself to the highest peak ("best spot") which costed around VND600,000 (to and fro service). Bike or self on foot are up for options.

We were given about 30 minutes to chill at the first spot. The first spot mainly mesmerizing the sunrise view which particularly looks like Sahara (solely surrounded by sand).

Jeep ride towards the second spot was damn trilling as it involved speed battle where getting stuck in the sand seems a norm for jeep driver. We got to see a lovely huge lake at the second spot. Another 20 minutes spent here just to enjoy the lovely view and whatnot a group photo yet again.

The fishing village. It's kind of typical morning market by the beach that selling wide range fresh seafood. The selling prices for fresh clams, scallops, prawns and LOBSTERS is considered affordable and cheap. You gonna fall in love seeing hundreds of colorful fishing boats mooring on the water while enjoying the sea breeze. Thousands of empty shells are scattered on the beach-side so be careful if you are wearing slippers during your visit.

After our breakfast, Mr. Tom fetched us to the red sand dunes. The sand looks like more orange-brown compared to the claimed 'red'. If you want to experience the fun of sand sliding, there are a lot of children and ladies that are trying their best to convince you to rent the ride-on plastic sledge. Personally, I feel that the sand here is finer than the one in white sand dunes as walking up the slope is harder.

Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien): so called a mini version of Grand Canyon. Walking on barefoot is recommended as you can enjoy the 1-2km warm water spa flowing along the mixing of white and white hill at the side. Entrance fee is VND5,000.

Pho Shanu Cham Towers which located at the top of a small hill that is close to Phan Thiet are said to be collections of the ruins of Cham Kingdom. The ruins consist of 2 tall towers and a slightly smaller tower behind which are said built to worship Hindu God Shiva. Another thing that caught our attention on top of the hill was the aerial view of the city.

After lunch, we headed to Da Lat which took around 3 hours from Mui Ne. Checked in @ Best Western Dalat Plaza Hotel. It was absolutely the BEST accommodation among 3 we had during our trip. 2 people sharing a superior family room with free buffet breakfast was definitely the best deal that we ever had.

Da Lat Night Market is located about 5 minutes walk from our hotel. We tried beef and pork noodle that we spotted from the road side. Soy milk are said to be Da Lat specialty so we tried it to warm up as the weather in Da Lat is pretty chilling.

Da Lat night market is surrounded by hotels, shops and restaurants which packed with stalls in the middle. There are a wide range of local goods that are up for bargain including souvenirs, cloths, foods (eg dried fruits, tea leaves) and not forgetting the food stalls. We spotted a stairs alley which offers a lot of awesome local foods. Beware of the crowd as it was pretty to find a seat. We had a seafood dinner which costed us VND300,000.

Spotted a secret pathway which led to a cafe after strolling around the night market. We got to enjoy the aerial view of the night market on top of the cafe.

** Assuming RM1 = VND5,000.
Watch our trip video HERE!!! Thanks for your support.

Vietnam Itinerary Day 2 [Ho Chi Minh-Mui Ne]

It was our self-exploration day in Ho Chi Minh until 1700 (local time).

Had our breakfast at 0800 right in front of the reception counter (hotel's lobby). There are limited breakfast choices from the hotel breakfast menu. The receptionist is well talented as he is the one who in charged to take order, prepare and serve our breakfast. 

Began our free time with buying a conventional MAP and look for the places that we planned to go. As usual, the navigators will start doing their job and hunting for the famous Bahn Mi. We ordered roasted pork banh mi (VND17,000) and chicken & sauce bahn mi (VND15,000).

Visited Starbucks in Ho Chi Minh. There are a lot of passerby cobblers. (Tips: Ignore those passerby cobblers or else you will be ripped. They tend to persuade you and insist to repair your shoe by stopping you).

We passed by the reunification palace and decided to take a group photo. We didn't enter the palace as it is included in our tour package on Day 6. Found a beautiful garden near the Notre Dame Cathedral and we took another group photo again.

The Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed in between 1863 and 1880 by the French colonists (following their conquest of the city). The building reaches a height up to 60m. Initially the church was named Saigon Church but soon change to Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1959 (by Bishop Pham Van Thien) after the ceremony to install the statue of peaceful Notre Dame (made with granite from Rome).  

Right across the Notre Dame Cathedral is the General Post Office. It is a French post office built in between 1886 and 1891. There are 2 painted maps inside the post office. The first located on the left side of the building is a map of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia whereas a mosaic of Ho Chi Minh can be seen at the end of the hall. Remember to spot the magnificient tiled floor of the interior. There are shops available inside the post office where you can grab a few souvenirs for your friends or perhaps sending a letter/ postcards to them. Postcard costed around VND5,000 per piece (depends on design) with stamp costed VND10,500 if you wish to send to Malaysia/ Singapore/ Australia.

After sending postcards to my friends (where the other 6 were waiting for me), we walked passed the book gallery alley near the Notre Dame Cathedral. At the end of the alley, we spotted a small stall that was pretty crowded and decided to take our lunch there. We ordered 3 different kinds of noodle soup, rice with deep fried 3 layer meat and rice with braised fish which costed us VND160,000. The rice came with soup and as usual the tea was complimentary. We gulped few jugs as it was HOT in HCM.

Went to Hard Rock Cafe and looking for directions in the air-cond building. A kind man helped us by giving direction with their limited English vocab. The guys were so eager to visit the river but somehow I forgot the name and we walked so far under the hot sun. Thank goodness I brought a cap for the trip.

Visited a market and spotted a lady selling Banh Xeo (pancake). We takeaway the Banh Xeo (VND30,000) and enjoyed it in our hotel. Decided to use taxi on our way back hotel which costed us VND62,000 per trip. (Tips: Remember to use "Vinasun Taxi" OR "Mai Linh Taxi" ONLY while traveling in HCM. Taking taxi in Vietnam is recommended if you are travelling in a group as it is CHEAP)

We decided to chill in a cafe before leaving HCM at 1700. We found a cafe named Chong Coffee Cafe that is located at the same street as our hotel (about 2 minutes on foot).

The driver picked us at 1700 and headed to Mui Ne. We ate the takeaway meat spring roll with rice noodle (VND28,000) in the van and it tasted so damn good with the sweet and sour sauce. It took about 5 hours from Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne where we stopped at the Dai Phu Rest Stop for dinner. We ordered all kinds of Pho which costed VND50,000 per bowl.

Reached hotel about 2230, we checked in, took bath and had an early rest as the driver will pick us up at 0500 for the sunrise. We stayed in Ocean Valley Hotel in Mui Ne. As usual, toiletries and towels were provided. (Tips: There is NO lift in this hotel)

** Assuming RM1 = VND5,000.

Watch out our trip video HERE!!!! Thanks for your support.

Vietnam Itinerary Day 1 [KL-Ho Chi Minh]

A group of SEVEN, working at DIFFERENT states and cities but heading to a SAME destination.

All of us attempted to meet up in KLIA2 which I'm the LAST one to arrive. The group messages kept on buzzing once I switched on upon my arrival: asking on my whereabouts and spamming me with pictures (showing that the gang were enjoying their lunch without me *sob*). Upon meet up with the gang, we headed to check in counter to drop our luggage. Initially, I planned to take a quick takeaway lunch in the departure hall (in case my flight delay) but lucky me (us), the gang decided to accompany me back to Subway so that I can enjoy my lunch slowly.

After lunch, we walked pass the immigration counter and ready for boarding. Took a few pictures in the departure hall and the guys managed to get a quick massage before departure.

The flight took about 2 hours [Info: Vietnam is 1 hour behind Malaysia]. Due to half an hour flight delay, we landed in Tan Son Nhat International Terminal around 1610 (local time). Pretty lucky cause I got the window seat and I got to see the city sky view. My first impression was the city is CROWDED and yeah..... the airport seems located in the middle of the thousands of buildings.

Passed the immigration counter and claimed our luggage. Spotted our driver that was holding an A4 paper with our leader name on it among the Vietnamese.

He fetched us and guess what..... ***TRAFFIC JAM*** Dang....Skill needed to drive on Ho Chi Minh (or i should say VIETNAM) road.

Checked in @ Seventy Hotel, Ho Chi Minh. Toiletries and towel provided. Breakfast included for this hotel.

After checked in, the driver fetched us to watch the water puppet show at 1830 (local time). Details on the program can be found HERE. There are 2 shows per day: 1700 and 1830. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet show costed VND150,000.

Had our FIRST Vietnam style dinner after the show. I forgot the exact location but it is situated opposite of the main road once you out from the theater (there is a bus stop).

We tried the grilled pork rice (VND24,000/plate) and noodle with pork knuckle slice soup (VND25,000/bowl). Noticed that eating in Vietnam will never lack of FRESH greens where you can add into a bowl of hot noodle soup up to your liking. The noodle soup wasn't oily at all as what I expected. The grilled pork rice is savoury with the bbq smell. The rice came with a soup (which initially I thought it was watercress soup but it turned out to be water spinach) and it tasted a little sour. The tea is complimentary and refillable.

After dinner, we headed to Ben Thanh Night Market on foot. It is just a typical "pasar malam" in Malaysia with more local souvenirs and all sorts of original imitated (fake) "branded" luggage, shoes, clothes and pants to choose from. There are a few stalls that you can enjoy local foods and seafood. Regarding the Vietnamese coffee (3-in-1 or 2-in-1 type), I suggested that you survey the price as I found that the coffee that sell in supermarket is cheaper than the one sold in night market.

There is a saying "spot the place that is crowded and you will find a good stuffs". Well, we spotted one and we found the 'Halal Kopi Vietnam'. It was DAMN GOOD and I had it each time I visited Ben Thanh Night Market. There are 3 types of drinks that they offered: iced coffee-o, iced coffee-milk and iced milo-milk. It costed RM3/ VND15,000 per cup (yeap... they accept Malaysia Ringgit).

That was our FIRST DAY hunting. My travel kakis: Jody, Summer, Miko, IZ, Kiki and Mike.

** Assuming RM1 = VND5,000.

Watch out our trip video HERE!!!! Thanks for your support.