Saigon - City Lights and Culinary Delights

Saigon skyline from the rooftop

Woke up at 5:17am today with visions of a serene sunrise over an empty (or at least near empty) beach. It seems the Vietnamese had other ideas! The beach was practically a mosh pit with local tourists out playing beach volleyball and actually swimming. A stark contrast to yesterday's 7am ghost town. The Asian in me should have guessed that NOT being in the hot sun trumps a sleep in. 

Other than having may unexpected people to dodge when taking photos, the sunrise was serene. The fishing boats, all huddled together, created a spectacular scene. It was somewhat frustrating that the phone could not quite capture what my eyeballs could. Some moments, it seems, are just too good for pixels (literally!). Apologies for the sunrise photo spam...

I thought the beach would be this quiet too...

The fishing boats just off the shoreline

Extreme measures were needed to cut the people out of my photos! 

It was time to move on and continue our journey south to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Once again, an uneventful flight with Vietnam Airlines, landing at a nice brand new terminal at Saigon Airport. Once there, we were greeted with a new guide and bus and whisked away for lunch. Our hotel for our time in Saigon is the Adora Art Hotel. Let's just get the hotel review out of the way, shall we? The Adora Art Hotel, a 4-star establishment, is perfectly adequate. Its biggest selling point, without a doubt, is its location. Nestled right in the heart of District One, it's a short stroll to Ben Thanh Market and other key attractions. 

While there's nothing wrong with the place, per se, it also doesn't exactly spark joy. The rooms are clean, the vital amenities present, and the breakfast perfectly acceptable. Plus, a rooftop pool and bar for those who fancy a dip with a view. In other words, it was a solid choice for the more budget-savvy travellers. This particular, difficult traveller, however, only truly missed the complimentary fruit bowls from previous hotels (which she touched exactly once) when it wasn't there 😂. 

With a couple of hours to kill before our evening activity, I embarked on a solo expedition to the famous Ben Thanh Market. This tourist magnet boasts everything from fresh produce and seafood to textiles and handicrafts. In a personal triumph, I successfully crossed the street twice by myself, like a big girl, without clinging to a local for dear life. Take that, chaotic Saigon traffic! Much to my surprise, the vendors, while keen to engage, weren't pushy. I didn't find the bamboo undies or copycat foldable backpacks I was specifically hunting for (a tragedy, I know), but I did manage to snag some other goodies. Bonus points: the two shops where I made purchases accepted Visa and Mastercard, each with a 4% surcharge which was a lifesaver when you're sans Vietnamese Dong!

Kitsch decor. Kinda cute I guess 

Reception

Breakfast room to the back

My room. Decent size. You'd have just enough space to open up a clam opening type suitcase

TV, tea & coffee, free water, fridge safe, ironing board, robe. All there

Bathroom is good

I guess they like the "open" look

The uninspiring view from my window. However, Grateful to have natural sunlight unlike my hotel room in Ha Noi!

Inside of Ben Thanh market. The covered markets is a good activity on a rainy day

I got talked into letting her do my hair. Not sure how she managed to hold all my heavy hair so securely with just one pin. I bought one (or more) naturally...

Fortunately, the heavens decided to close just in time for the highlight of the day: the Saigon Vespa Food Tour by Vespa Adventures.  Having done this two years ago, it was just as much fun the second time around. Zipping through the bustling city on a Vespa is an incredible way to experience Saigon's energy (and avoid being stuck in traffic).

We made four stops, each offering a unique experience. First up, a rooftop bar for cocktails and a bird's-eye view of the city. Next, a seafood extravaganza featuring clam soup, salt and chili crab, and noodles. By the third stop, I was genuinely struggling to fit more food in. However, one simply cannot leave before trying Bánh Xèo, the Vietnamese "pancake." The name, I learned, comes from the sizzling sound the rice batter makes when it hits the hot pan. And yes, Bánh Xèo 46A that we visited is a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, so clearly worth the expanded waistline. We were also treated to some delectable deep-fried spring rolls. Finally, it was off to Carmen Bar, a true Saigon institution, for live music and more cocktails. Because when in Saigon, one must fully embrace the institution of "more cocktails."

Helpful Hints for the Aspiring Vespa Adventurer:

• Vespa Adventures provides raincoats in case of unexpected downpours. They've clearly been here before.
• The tour is entirely doable in flip-flops. Ask me how I know. (Spoiler: my feet were liberated, cool and happy.)
• Dresses are perfectly fine, as long as you're able to swing your leg over to get on and off the bike with a modicum of grace. No one wants an accidental flash dance.

Rooftop bar

One of the smaller streets

When a motorcycle is the mode of transport for a family 4

Lemongrass clam soup. Amazing

Crab with salt and chilli crust on the outside. Also amazing

Bánh Xèo 46A has been run by the same family for 3 generations

Deep fried spring rolls. Asian comfort food

Lovely souvenir