Travel: Ho Chi Minh day 1

Feb 20, 2012

I arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 several hours early than check in time.  I was tired as I waited for Lenz to arrive, yet, excited for this trip. The last trip abroad I had was in 2005 when I visited my brother Marc in Singapore. I wasn’t  into photography then, but I was already dabbling in writing my food experiences in friendster.

The trip took 2 hours. There was a time difference of one hour between Vietnam and Philippines that’s why we gained an hour when we arrived.

Tan So Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is the largest airport in Vietnam. 

We went out to see the rep from Beautiful Saigon Hotel bearing a sign with my name on it.  We waited for a while for our transport to arrive,making small talk with the rep inspite of being lost in translation. I was feeling more tired and sleepy.  It was already 2AM  Manila time.

Our hotel is small, but clean.  It’s located in an area somewhat like Ermita. But it was safe.

With clean bathroom, clean towels, hot & cold water, TV, a strong wifi connection. Too bad there was no FB, as it was banned in Vietnam. I just tweeted teasers of my HCMC experience every now and then.

This was what greeted me when we woke up a few hours later.  We may not have a breathtaking view, but hey, the place is safe and alive and bustling with activity as we would discover later on.  It's a walking distance to Ben Tanh market and other tourist spots. 

Beautiful Saigon Hotel

62 Bui Vien St., Dist 1 

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

www.beautifulsaigonhotel.com