Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Mon Hue Restaurant & Paper Card Stall

Day 1 of Ho Chi Minh Trip ^_^ Part 1

Ho Chi Minh -- I would call it a City of Coffee and Motorcycles. I never expect myself to visit this city before I travel to Europe or Japan. Due to lack of travel fund, I've decided to explore countries nearby Malaysia. Hence, I took 4 days off and go for a 5D4N Ho Chi Minh Trip with my ex-colleagues. 

Flying off from KLIA2 at 12pm and reached Ho Chi Minh City at 1pm (local time). Upon reaching airport, we got ourselves a SIM card at Vinaphone counter. There are a few counters at the arrival hall and we chose the shop at a corner. Why we choose Vinaphone? It offers 5GB data for VND 100,000 (RM18), which is quite a good offer as compared to other stalls. As a smart consumer, we did compare prices and found that this offers the best deal. *wink*

After inserting new SIM card into our phone, we went to get a bus to the city. Thanks to the lady at Vinaphone stall, she taught us how to get local bus to the City. 

The Vinaphone Counter at Airport, with 2 kind ladies at the counter.

We went to lane 12 to get into Bus No. 152 to Ben Thanh Market. We were told that our tour office is within walking distance from Ben Thanh Market, so we decided to carry our luggage to get on the bus. Each of us paid for 2 pax as we have our luggage with us (VND 5,000/pax). 

The bus tickets to Ben Thanh Market. 

Feel so great! We're not taking taxi to the city. ^_^ And the bus ticket is soooooo cheap!

Here we are at HCM city! 

Was holding our luggage walking on the street, but we never forget to wefie! 

We walked about 5-10 minutes to The Sinh Tourist office. 

Surprisingly, it is a very nice office as compared to tourist office nearby. For the price that I've paid for the bus tickets and tours, I am very satisfied. Cheap price for classy service. Thumbs up!

We left our luggage in the office as we will be traveling to Mui Ne at 8.30pm. After settling down, we walked out of the office to look for FOOD! We walked to Family Mart few shops away from the Sinh Tourist office to check out local snacks and milk. And... we spotted something cute! Doraemon bun! 

Doraemon bun! ^_^

It has custard filling and surprisingly nice. 

While looking around for food, we saw a mobile stall selling spring rolls. How can we not stop the stall and buy some?

Ta-daa! The spring roll stall. Selling one for VND5000.

We bought two spring rolls to try as we are worried about the cleanliness issue afterall. 

After trying, I would say this is not the best spring roll I've tried throughout my trip in Vietnam. The one in Ben Thanh market tastes much better.
(Will show photos of it later on... ^_^)

Then, due to hunger and laziness, we decided to dine in a restaurant opposite The Sinh Tourist office. We were choosing in between a few restaurants and then at last, we decided to try Mon Hue Restaurant. 

The menu looks very tempting!

Hue Style Rice with Baby Clam (VND45,000)

This baby clam rice is very nice and it tastes like nasi kerabu. My favourite dish of all. =) 

Spring rolls with sour shrimp and pork (VND48,000)

This is a special type of spring roll. Well, I still prefer traditional type. 

Hue Noodle.

In vietnam, every dish will surely have lots of vegetables, or served with another plate of vegetables. Super healthy. ^_^

Hue Imperial Pancake (VND 54,000)

It has unexpected taste as the pancake base is soft and served with lots of vege. Quite like it.

The vege plate.

Group photo at the restaurant. I like the decoration of the restaurant.

Very traditional feel. 

After lunch, we decided to walk around the city. 

Spotted a stall that sells 3D paper card. Very pretty. =)

Stay tuned for my next post! Day 1 part 2 will be up soon!