Christmas Shopping at Dapitan

We were looking for some ornaments and the perfect Belen so we decided to go to Dapitan Arcade. It was my first time there and didn't know what to expect. It was a holiday (I forgot which one) so the "main stores" were closed, but the streets were bustling with activity. It's Christmas season, after all, and everyone is looking for nice but cheap decors!

 

And boy, Dapitan did not disappoint. I wanted to buy everything and turn our house into a living Christmas ornament. I wanted to get a bunch of those outdoor Christmas trees (though the dogs will probably just eat it) as well as those giant dancing Santas. There were so many trinkets to choose from, and we eventually found the perfect Belen for us.

Check out the video!

Video: DIY Tour of Ho Chi Minh

Ditch the guided tour and brace the streets of Vietnam! It was particularly hot that afternoon so we decided to cancel our tour and just walked around th city. With an easy to read map on hand, we were able to visit some of the nice sites. The good part? Lots of stop overs (aircon please!!)

 

At one point, my friends "ditched" me and went back to the hotel so I ended up walking around on my own. It was at my own pace so it was awesome! I was sweating really bad by the time I got back to the hotel but it was all worth it. Here are some clips taken from that adventure:

Back of the Bike Tour, Vietnam

I can't stress this enough - the Back of the Bike Food Tour is a MUST if you find yourself in Ho Chi Minh. You get to go around the city, pass through different districts, get a glimpse of how the locals live, experience the motorcycle exodus first hand, and eat a lot of delicious food!

 

Each tourist is assigned a well trained guide who speaks English and knows his/her stuff. I was fortunate enough to get a very spirited guide who not only gave me information but was also interested in where I came from. He drives really well and can multi task on the road. It was a bit unnerving at times (especially when he does hand gestures while driving), but I got used to it and relaxed.

 

And did I mention the food? Hahaha. Check out our video and prepare to be amazed.

Video: Weasel Coffee At Trung Nguyen

They say that this place serves the best coffee in Vietnam. I simply had to try the weasel coffee. Relatively cheap at 150,000 Dong. 

 

The barista patiently explained how to properly enjoy their coffee. I wanted to try it hot but I was already sweating like crazy because of the long walks we took. Ergo, iced coffee! Take a look!

Video: Mekong River Tour, Vietnam

I wouldn't go as far as saying that it's a "must," but it's a good way to see some of the sights in Vietnam. Not a lot to see (aside from food!) if you stay in the city so it was a good adventure for us. A bit long and tiring though.

 

The Pagoda was a good stop over. We just loved seeing the huge Buddhas and the nice temples. Some areas are still under construction so the place would probably look better in a year of so.

 

One "downside:" they sold a lot of stuff during the tour. And the tourists were a captive audience. Some items were interesting, the others not so.

 

And we were so hungry by the time lunch was served that we didn't care much about the food. 

 

If you are ready for more, check out our video:

Gossip Cafe & Pub, Vietnam

Near the Norte Dame Church of Ho Chi Minh is a cool cafe with an interesting name - Gossip. It makes me wonder if people just want to come here for gossip? Whatever the case may be, it's located right next to a park with huge trees so it's a refreshing break from the heat of Saigon.

The orange umbrellas may be an eyesore for some, but it can certainly catch the attention of passersby.

 

That's not an expensive alcoholic drink- that's free iced tea (not the sweet kind - more like service tea on ice). Refreshing!

 

That colorful drink is also quite yummy. Forgot what it's called, sorry. Not a lot on the menu, but there are some coffee and tea based drinks. Perfect while gossiping about other people. Lol.

 

This cafe is a short work from some of the tourist attractions in District 1. As I mentioned, it's right across the Notre Dame Church and the Reunification Palace. There's a mall in the vicinity, and you can also walk to the War Remnants Museum.

Hai Lua Food Countryside

Ben Thanh Market transforms into a night street market after sunset, and it's a great place for people who love to bargain. I'm not much of a fan of bargaining but as it turns out I have the skills. It's amazing how I thrived in this environment. Even my friends turn to me for some bargaining help. Go figure.

 

The Hai Lua food court, however, is probably my favorite part. It's a small strip covered in makeshift tents and furnished with plastic tables and chairs. But getting a table can be a challenge because of the number of customers. It's not a surprise, actually, because the food is really cheap and very delicious!!

 

This barbecue dish was actually more than enough to make us full, and we did not expect "one order" to be so much. It reminded me of Pinoy style BBQ, but with a twist!

 

Spring rolls wrapped in lettuce is love! I can't get enough of this dish :)

 

And this is how "rice" looks like. It just HAS to be covered in greens and some meat. Who am I to complain?

I can only wish I had more time and/or space in my tummy to get a taste of all the other dishes here. Even strangers who are just walking down the street can't help but recommend the place (yep, a couple of tourists from Australia probably thought it was their civic duty to recommend the place to us).