Crowded with motorbikes in Saigon

9/25(Wed)	Siem Reap 8:35-Vietnam Airlines(VN)822-9:35 Ho Chi Minh(Tan Son Nhat) sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh
Lodging	Indochine (ex Fimex) / US$20 (2,460Yen) per night
	[booking sites for you / Hotes in Vietnam]
Major expense(s)	Transportation	Airport Taxi (Ho Chi Minh) / airport-hotel : $4=60,000VND=490Yen Motorbike Taxi (Siem Reap) / downtown-airport : $1=4,000R=120Yen
	Airport Tax	Siem Reap: $15=1,850Yen (payable only USD only)
	Admission Fee	War History Museum: 10,000VND (80Yen) Reunification Palace: 15,000VND ($1=120Yen)
Related Sites	General Links - Asia Cambodia Vietnam Ho Chi Minh photo gallery of tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

After my friends, Tagameinu and Kaji left for Bangkok by bus, I took the flight of Vietnam Airlines(VN) for Ho Chi Minh.
I tried to address Japanese neighboring man for the information gathering, but I didn't do anything after all because he was unwilling to be done.
An oppressive time passed, I reserved a hotel at tourist information in Tan Son Nhat International Airport the same as 4 days ago, and then went to downtown.
This hotel was located around the Dong Khoi street where there are many tourist attractions nearby.
I tried to reduce bargaining with motorbike taxi drivers by walking in the city, but my efforts came to nothing.

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport	Ao dai beauties at War History Museum

"Gee, it's hot." I sweat easily much than others even if not wet season.
Hence it's fruitless attempt for me to explore in Ho Chi Minh by walk.
As local motor taxi drivers saw me, they came near soon and said "Where are you going? Ride my bike?"
I caught one honesty-like elderly driver among them, and I was taken to Central Post Office and T&T Travel (112 Bui Vien str., Dist.1-Ho Chi Minh City), Japanese managerial travel agency.
The price was 25,000VND (200 Yen) from Dong Khoi to Bui Vien, including waiting at Central Post Office, I heard it's a reasonable one.
But T&T Travel announced to open from 6 p.m. because of "Mekong Delta by overnight trip," I hung about the neighborhood to find pho (Vietnamese noodle) shops.
So there are many pho shops recommended by Yuji Shimokawa, Japanese travel writer, around Pham Ngu Lao.
Here I introduce them to you.

After I ate pho bo (beef noodle) at Pho Bo, I went to the War Remnants Museum.
When I explored there, I thanked again for being born in peaceful country.
Because the Vietnam War broke out in my infancy.
I think you must see the museum when visit to Ho Chi Minh.
Because the misery of the war is shown there.

I went to the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral after exploring the museum.
One Vietnamese Ao-Dai beauty was taken a picture in front of the Central Post Office.
I think this photograph might have been used in some commercials or posters.
Unfortunately I didn't find senior high school girls wearing elegant Ao-Dai uniforms around there.
Therefore these tourist attractions can be explored on foot, you shouldn't be snow-jobbed by motor taxi drivers.
If you would like to rest somewhere, it would be better to enter Diamond Plaza Department Store or Saigon Square Shopping Center.

ICC Travel (15 Dong Du St., Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City) is located near my hotel.
Their staff can speak Japanese and the exchange rate of US dollar cash for Vietnamese Dong was very good.
Its standard rate was US$1 for 15,000 VND, but for 15,300 VND at ICC.
Of course I know Japanese guided tours are generally higher than English ones.
But this is the reason why I hoped to enjoy going on a tour with Japanese girls.
So I had ulterior motives!
Otherwise there are some budget travel agencies around De Tham area: Sinh Cafe Travel, Kim Cafe Traveland Fidi Tourist, it would be better to join their tours.
Finally please check the board in ICC because participants are often only married couples.

Going to Mekong Delta overnight trip, if possible!

My Tho Mekong Delta Tour is one of the popular tours in Ho Chi Minh.
Attractions in My Tho are orchards and rice fields on Phoenix Island, Thoi Son Island, Vinh Trang Pagoda and Dong Tan Snake Farm.
My tour included mainly exploring in Thoi Son Island, of course riding a row-boat along small creeks to Mekong river estuary.
Therefore their visitors were almost Japanese, I think non-Japanese seldom visit there.

We took the tour bus to My Tho, 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, and transfer to the boat for Thoi Son Island.
And we enjoyed exploring the island, including eating the tropical fruits, seeing the manufacture handicraft made from coconut trees, visit of coconut candy workshop and visiting creeks (canals) by small boat for about 20 minutes.
After return to My Tho, we enjoyed lunch and shopping.
So my recommended souvenir is coconut candy sold in Thoi Son Island, it's nice taste and reasonable price.

Many participants of our tour were couple except Okutsu sisters (handle name: Masa-yan and Junior) and me.
Probably solitary travelers join other English guided tours that is cheaper than Japanese ones.
I think this Japanese guided tour ($40=4,920 Yen) was more than four times as high as English one.
In fact without thier participation, I might have joined other English guided tours.
After all with female traveling companion in that time, I enjoyed to travel, right?

My Tho Mekong Delta Tour
Mekong River	photo with Japanese girls, nick name: Masa-yan (left) and Junior
Mekong River	Thoi Son Island
My Tho's specialty

Vietnamese Restaurant "Quan an Ngon"
	Vietnamese Restaurant "Quan an Ngon" 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Dt: (08) 825-7179 Fax: (08) 825-7178 E-mail: quananngon@hcm.vnn.vn
	This restaurant is authentic Vietnamese food served in traditional style, and recommended by Ms. Nguyen Thuy Dung, a staff of ICC Travel Service. It is located near the Reunification Palace. It takes about 12,000VND (100Yen) from Dong Khoi by metered taxi.