t r i p
j o u r n a l
115
{ }
VIETNAM
HANOI
BESTBREAKFAST
129
Mai Hac
De for a Vietnamese-style Western
breakfast.
MUST-TRY
Look for
bia hoi
or fresh
beer, a light brew with a faint nutty
finish — only available in Hanoi.
BEST SOUVENIRS
54
Traditions
for ethnic carvings, prints and amazing
random knick-knacks, or old propaganda
poster stores in the Old Quarter.
Aaron Joel
Santos
photographer
VIETNAM
HOCHIMINHCITY
DIALING CODE
+84 (8)
CURRENCY
VND10,000 = PHP19.68/US$0.48
TOUCHDOWN
Tan Son Nhat International
Airport is a 30-minute drive away from District 1.
A taxi ride costs about VND80,000 (PHP157).
You can also hire a motorbike and driver for
VND20,000 (PHP39).
BY DAY
Visit the War Remnants Museum
(28
Vo Van Tan St, Ward 6, District 3)
with its eight
themed rooms housed in several buildings. Then
wander around Ben Thanh Market in District 1 for
lacquerware and home accessories at low prices.
BY NIGHT
Do some more shopping at Ben Thanh
Night Market before hitting the nightclubs and bars
in District 1, such as Chill Sky Bar
(
Rooftop AB
Tower, 76 Le Lai St)
,
Lavish Bar
(5
A Nguyen Sieu
St)
and Vasco’s Bar
(74/7
D Hai Ba Trung St)
.
SLEEP
The Royal Lotus Hotel Saigon is a four-star
hotel in District 1 that’s three minutes away from
the Saigon Opera House and the VinCom Shopping
Center.
DIALING CODE
+84 (4)
CURRENCY
VND10,000 = PHP19.68/US$0.48
TOUCHDOWN
The Noi Bai International Airport
is located 45km away from the city center.
Transportation services like public taxis, mini and
public buses are available at the arrivals level.
BY DAY
Drink
nau da
(
local iced coffee) near the
cathedral in the Old Quarter and people-watch. Stroll
across Long Bien Bridge as the sun sets. Sit with
some of the market women who set up shop along
the edge to sell beer and snacks to the locals.
BY NIGHT
Southgate is a great place to grab
international grub and a nice cocktail or bottle of
wine. Afterwards, head to Tadioto — a funky, artsy
bar that stays open late, or ATK — a speakeasy-
style spot with the occasional DJ and live band.
SLEEP
The Sofitel Metropole is the best place to
stay in the city. But for cheaper options, there’s
the Backpacker Hostel. For mid-range budgets, try
Cinnamon Hotel in the Old Quarter.
Tan My Design in Hanoi features
local fashion designers.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
BESTBREAKFAST
Vietnamese-
style beef noodles and broken rice with
grilled pork.
INSIDERTIP
If you don’t want to buy
anything, do not make eye contact. Just
keep walking!
BEST DINNER
You can find a lot
of very good Vietnamese food in Ngon
restaurant.
160
Pasteur St, Ben Nghe
Ward, District 1.
Nguyen The
Ba Thai
assistant director
LESTER LEDESMA
