Kar Discover: December 2023

Indulging in gourmet while exploring the South East

I already explored South East Asia including Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta and Bali; and indulged in gourmet from March 8 to April 4, 2023.

The purpose of travel mainly is eating and drinking , sightseeing, shopping and experiencing the customs and cultures of different countries in order to enrich knowledge. Eating and drinking is a culture and also is an art.

2. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Episode Part 1：Arrival

Dining, Sightseeing and Shopping

Wednesday, 2023/3/15

I explored Ho Chi Minh City and indulged in Vietnamese cuisine from March 15 to 19, 2023.

I paid US$43 for a single entry visa to Vietnam valid for 1 month (see bottom of this page for Vietnam visa fees).

This was my first time flying on Vietnam Airlines (see bottom of this page for Itinerary).

Exchange rate CA$1=VND17,650

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (abbreviated HCMC), also known as Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 9.3 million in 2023. Situated in the Southeast region of Vietnam, the city surrounds the Saigon River and covers about 2,061 km2 (796 sq mi).

Saigon was the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902, and again from 1945 until its cessation in 1954. Following the partition of French Indochina, it became the capital of South Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in 1975. The communist government renamed Saigon in honour of Hồ Chí Minh after the fall of Saigon. Beginning in the 1990s, the city underwent modernisation and expansion, contributing to Vietnam's post-war economic recovery.

Ho Chi Minh City has since developed to become the largest financial centre in Vietnam. The city generates around a quarter of the country's total GDP, and is home to many Vietnamese and multinational companies. Its varied cultural institutions, which includes historic landmarks, walking streets, museums and galleries, attracts over 8 million international visitors each year. Ho Chi Minh City has a Human Development Index of 0.795 (high), ranking second among all municipalities and provinces of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is a major transport hub in Vietnam. Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is the busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic, accounting for nearly half of all international arrivals to Vietnam. The Port of Saigon is the busiest container port in the country, and is among the busiest container ports in Southeast Asia.

Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.

See the top landmarks

Walk down Đồng Khởi street to acquaint yourself with the Notre Dame Cathedral, the city's Central Post Office, and the Saigon Opera House. On a more local level, Bến Thành Market and the Jade Emperor Pagoda are worth a visit.

Shop small boutiques

Around District 1, a host of old apartments and former office buildings have been repurposed as shopping centres. Decades-old buildings such as 22 Lý Tự Trọng and 42 Nguyễn Huệ are brimming with all kinds of fascinating stores.

Explore the Chinese Quarter

The Chinese neighbourhood known as Chợ Lớn is great for exploring on foot. Head for Bình Tây Market, a colossal wholesale trading centre, and Thiên Hậu Pagoda, an atmospheric temple that pays homage to the goddess of the sea.

Eat street food

Ho Chi Minh City locals love to gather around dented metal tables across the city for incredible roadside feasts. Don't miss highlights such as bánh mì, southern-style savoury pancakes (bánh xèo) and broken rice (cơm tấm).

Districts

The city is divided into 24 districts consisting of 19 inner city districts and five suburban areas, some numbered and others named. Districts one and three are considered the modern heart of the city. Each district, in turn, is broken down into even smaller sections called wards.

District 1: The central business district where you can find all the biggest tourist attractions
Districts 3, 4 and Bin Thanh: Downtown areas surrounding district 1
Districts 2 and 7: Developing districts with a lot of expats living here
Districts 5, 6, 8, 9, 11: The remaining central districts - highly populated
District 12: Suburban districts with a lower population

Part 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh

I departed from Singapore at 6.25pm on Wednesday March 15, 2023 to Ho Chi Minh City. This flight was punctual and arrived on time at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 7:30pm on the same day. After I got my passport stamped, I changed some US dollars to Vietnamese dong from a money exchange. When I passed through custom, a Vietnam custom officer asked me whether I needed taxi. I answered yes. Then a taxi driver came and asked me to pay him Vietnamese dong VND 400,000 (CA$1=VND17,650) for the trip. I gave him the money but I saw him giving half the money VND 200,000 to the custom officer. The taxi driver drove me to Windsor Plaza Hotel safe and sound. I checked in the hotel. I asked the receptionist how much was the cost of taxi from airport to the hotel. She said not more than VND 200,000. I knew that I was cheated. She advised me to take the Vinasun taxi next time.

Wednesday March 15, 2023

Windsor Plaza Hotel

18 Đ. An Dương Vương, Street, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

The luxurious Windsor Plaza Hotel towers 25 stories above Cholon District 5 (Chinatown) in central Ho Chi Minh City. Just next to An Dong Shopping Center, it features a rooftop swimming pool and the award-winning Ngan Dinh Cantonese Restaurant.

This was a view from my room in Windsor Plaza Hotel

♦ Fitness Center 健身室

♦ Sauna

♦ Locker Room

♦ Steam Bath

♦ Fitness Center

I swam every morning at 9am. Nobody was there except me. Therefore, this swimming pool became my private one. Every time, I asked the young female receptionist to call me at 9:30am. She was very good because she did call me on time. Her English was very fluent.

♦ Swimming Pool

♦ 7 Eleven

7 Eleven was just across the street from Windsor Plaza Hotel.

I bought a coconut green for only VND15,000 (CA$0.85, HK$5).

♦ Coconut green from 7-11.

Visa Fees For Canadians

Single entry 1 month validity: stamping fee US$25 + service fee US$18 total US$43

Single entry 3 month validity: stamping fee US$25 + service fee US$28 total US$53

Multiple entry 1 month validity: stamping fee US$50 + service fee US21 total US$71

Multiple entry 3 month validity: stamping fee US$50 + service fee US43 total US$93

Itinerary

Air Tickets

1. Vietnam Airlines CA$ 296.79 US$221.76

Depart Singapore Wed Mar 15, 2023 6.25pm =》 Ho Chi Minh Wed Mar 15, 2023 7:30pm VN654

Return Ho Chi Ninh Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:10am =》 Singapore Sun Mar 19, 2023 10:10am VN6855

Vietnam Airlines

https://www.vietnamairlines.com/ca/en/home

Hotels

Windsor Plaza Hotel
18 An Duong Vuong Street

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Tel: 84-28-38336688

Services@windsorplazahotel.com

Wed 15 Mar 2023 => Sun 19 Mar 2023 US$221.76 CA$296.79

Windsor Plaza Hotel Official Web Site

https://www.windsorplazahotel.com/

Next: Ho Chi Minh Episode Part 2
District 1: The central business district

Publisher：Kar Discover

Christmas Shopping In Vancouver 2023

Canada Place
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown harbour front, Canada Place is an iconic national landmark welcoming local residents, visitors and ships to the West Coast.

Alberni Street

is a centre for world high-end luxury retail stores and fine restaurants.

Part 3: 13 Most Delightful Shopping Malls in Vancouver