THE DATE: April 22, 2012
THE TRIP
08:00-09:00 We checked out from our hotel since we’re going to transfer to a cheaper one and brought our bags with us on our Cu Chi tour. 
So, Divimom and I went on a 1/2 day tour to Cu Chi tunnels c/o Sinh Tourist Cafe. I availed their services last year for my Cu Chi and Mekong tours and was satisfied so I decided to book our Cu Chi tour and Mekong Delta tours with them again. I also purchased tickets from HCMC to Phnom Penh and Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from them. I reserved tickets from their agent thru email and paid for them in their office in De Tham. Since plans may change (ie move tour date, stay for a shorter period), I prefer to pay all transactions when we get to the agency or hotel. I also think that DIY doesn’t necessarily mean to DIY everything. It is possible, of course. But I’m not that hardcore 🙂 If booking travel agencies will make life easier, do so. Especially if it’s your first time in that place or if you have companions that are not as ‘physically fit’ as you are. Accommodation: 15 USD; Tour: 6.27 USD each
09:00-09:30 We had a stop over at a lacquer factory. The lacquer products here are made by disabled people, and you can see the process a lacquer art work goes thru. They also have a shop where you can buy their products but they are very expensive.
09:30-10:30 On our way to Cu Chi tunnels. When we were near, our tourist guide asked for 80 VND from each of us as entrance fee. This is not included in the tour. Entrance Fee: 80 VND each.
10:30-12:30 Cu Chi tunnel tour. First, we have to watch a video presentation so we know the history of the place, then the walking tour on the traps and on their way of life during the war. We stopped at a shooting range. Those who want to shoot can do so for 200k VND for 10 bullets. Then we went inside the famous Cu Chi tunnel, already modified to fit foreigners. This is optional and there are also alternative exit holes inside the tunnel if you don’t want to finish it. We also had a taste of cassava dipped in a mixture of ground peanuts and sugar. Though I already had this tour last year, the ingenuity of the Cu Chi people never ceases to amaze me.
12:30-14:00 Travel to HCMC. I don’t remember if we stopped over so better do your business before riding the bus.
14:00-14:30 We checked in at Tram Anh Hotel to freshen up before we start our DIY city tour. I’ll write a separate review for the hotel but for now, I’ll give it a 3.5 out of 5 rating.
14:30-19:00 We’ve never been inside Ben Thanh market so we decided to have lunch there and to look for souvenirs as well, before we start our DIY tour. Then, we stopped by Saigon Square first since it’s on the way to our first stop – the Saigon Opera House. Our second stop was the elegant Saigon City Hall. Third is the Post Office and just across it is the Notre Dame Cathedral, where we heard mass for about 30 mins. Last is the Reunification Palace, which we didn’t get to see since it’s open until 4:00pm only. We were supposed to go to the War Remnants Museum and also watch the water puppets show but we ran out of time. We stayed the longest in the post office, calling loved ones in Manila and sending out postcards. Rate of a phone call to Manila is 5k VND per minute, for both landline and mobile. Stamp for the postcard to Manila is 10,500 VND. We were also tired from all the walking. But apparently, not tired enough to go to Saigon Square again on the way back 🙂
19:00 onwards We ate at a stall in De Tham street where customers would sit on small monoblock chairs. These small chairs are usually used by kids so I find it amusing that it is the norm in HCMC for adults to use them.
THE EXPENSES
For consistency’s sake, 1 USD is 20,800 UND and 1 USD is 43 PHP.
