Day 3 of Backpacking Saigon: DIY Night City Tour

Since Rubel and I weren't able to see the rest of the sites from the previous City tour, we opted to do a DIY trip the following day. So after a good recharge, we started our evening walk towards the Bitexco Financial Tower (the 124th tallest building in the world according to Wikipedia). We didn't get to see it up close. But we managed to take a few photos of it while traversing the street of Hàm Nghi. 


After a quick photo op, we continued on with our evening stroll. We were supposed to take a cab from Pham Ngu Lao all the way to Tôn Đức Thắng. But we decided to just walk all the way. And with our efforts, we were able to reach the Saigon river after 30 minutes.

Tôn Đức Thắng is situated along the edge of the Saigon River. This is where several brightly-lit floating restaurants are docked at night (all waiting for tourists to carry down the river). Rubel and I were supposed to have dinner in one of the ships. But we opted out since the rates were too expensive. 


Not to sound bitter though. But the view wasn't that spectacular either. The river looked very much polluted, given all the floating trash and plants. It actually reminded me of Pasig River.

Anyway, plans of having dinner while cruising through the Saigon River was cancelled. So what now? Well, we just wandered around the nearby streets in search of a cheap place to eat in --- only to see ourselves adjacent to the famed Opera House. 


And if that wasn't enough, we saw the Rex Hotel and the City Hall as well. It was a good thing that we did this tour at night, since all three edifices looked more alive and more vibrant during nightfall. And if it wasn't sheer luck, my camera battery died right after taking a few snapshots of the beautiful Ho Chi Minh City Hall.


When we were done capturing all those precious moments, we did another 20 minute walk (with a side trip to a Billabong Shop nearby) back to Bùi Viện, to check out this nice buffet place for dinner. And then capped the night off with some Italian food and Red Saigon Beers. It was a tiring yet fulfilling day.

Explore & Be Free!
Mai

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21 comments

  1. best way to enjoy a place is by foot!:D lovely photos sis mai!




    WANDER SHUGAH

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  2. love to see those photos! now i am in the mood posting my saigon's photos as well! missing this place and sure is will coming back soon! my vietnamese frend gave birth already so we can make gala again xx

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  3. I'll be going to Vietnam this coming July but I won't be going to Ho Chi Minh, I'll be in Hanoi I'd also like to visit Saigon but maybe on another trip :D Those floating restaurants look like a good place to eat in.

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  4. I was able to try the cruise and yes, Manila Bay cruise is a lot better but still a nice experience.

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  5. Lovely Saigon! But thanks for the heads up about the river. :D

    Although it's nice to take a tour with a tour guide, experience Saigon by yourself is much better! You'll just walk, take pictures and experience their culture. For instance, if I have a chance, I would just walk in my city and experience life in the city. I've done that a LOT of times already! I'm lovin' it!

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  6. Everything for sure is better with lights... so I guess its not a bad idea to stroll around at night.... of course with someone or with a group of friends

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  7. My Saigon Dream:) Parang nakapag Saigon na rin ako MAi. Luv seeing street shots @ Night. Sarap for sure ng experience sa River Cruise:)

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  8. that place is truly beautiful. i could wish to get a postcard from there too .

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  9. Wow! The photos make me wanna go to Vietnam now. I mean now na!

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  10. OMG! The place is soooooooooooo beautiful. Saigon really depicts its beauty at night.

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  11. I love footworks especially if the place is so new to me. Makes it more exciting and educational. :)

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  12. Interesting adventure. I would want to backpack, too, in all of Asia if possible. But I don't have friends who have knowledge on where to stay and the itinerary.

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  13. Fun and memorable experience. ibang level na talaga ang Vietnam, may Skycraper na sila.

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  14. Wow! Ang saya naman ng adventure mo :) Traveling is indeed something that can make everyone happy! - Algene

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  15. Wow there's a lot of interesting structures and landmarks din pala in Vietnam.. the last photo is just perfect!

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  16. River tours in Southeast Asia are usually more hype than substance, from my experiences :P Take nothing away from the features and spectacles AROUND the river - it's just that when promoting a place for tourism (like the "cruises" around Manila Bay on our end), it would pay to invest in said place.

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  17. this is a great adventure! the structures are full of lights, the photos are so entertaining! i really want to go in this place! :)

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  18. It is indeed an awesome place, your adventure makes me motivate to save so I can travel.

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  19. vietnam really is booming now... gone is the days of their war image. great suggestions of places to go to, love to visit saigon someday. Yahweh bless.

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  20. Saigon river looks so romantic and enchanting. Nice for the couple.

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  21. cool! ive been wanting to go there. hopefully this year

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