Lakwatserong Tsinelas: VIETNAM

The facade of churches always fascinates me and gives me the feeling of traveling through time, back to when the same first came into existence. In the city of Ho Chi Minh, never would you miss this neo-Romanesque church standing at the center of the city known as the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral.

In the year 2009, the first time I glanced at the cathedral it was so majestic and I couldn't help but be mesmerized at its grand architecture, which charm still remains even to date. In an attempt to take lots of photo on this grand cathedral during that year, I failed. All our cameras were battery empty. And so, I said to myself I shall be back to take lots of photos of it and share it to the world. Thus, all visits to Vietnam would mean a mandatory visit to the said church.

Location:

Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
+84 8 3822 0477

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Rich culture and history. Healthy and Gastronomically Appealing Food Options. Exquisite Contemporary and Ancient Fine and Visual Arts and Crafts. Eye-catching Skyscrapers of French-Colonial Design. Bustling City of Motorcycles. A Shopping Hub. Friendly and Accommodating People.

This is Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.

For a number of times, I have been coming back to Ho Chi Minh City. With a laid back lifestyle apart from the neighboring countries of Thailand and Singapore, the charm and mystery of Vietnam has enticed me to be a "regular" traveler of the country.

Unusual as it may seem, but every travel I make to this charming country also means the same routine and places to visit. With an adventurous soul and a wandering pair of slippers (lakwatserong tsinelas) and enthusiastic heart and mind, a number of places of interest can be discovered with its culture unveiled even for just a day or two.

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facade of the Empress Hotel

For the nth time, I found myself again here in this equally charming and fascinating city of Ho Chi Minh at Vietnam.

Being a random trip, the search for a value-for-money accommodations was the challenge. Through my personal account at http://www.hotels.com/ I was able to locate one of the cheapest hotels available during our travel dates, which accessibility to the central business district and the tourist attractions of the city is manageable, in fact, a walking distance at that, not to mention that wandering in Ho Chi Minh City indeed entails a lot of walking. This hotel is the Empress Hotel.

Since it would be the first time for my friend, Ms. W, to be in Vietnam, it would be an honor for me to introduce her to this wonderful city (which I consider my second home), which means the accommodations takes a large role for impression purposes.

Overall, this colonial-style hotel was indeed a great value for money with classic decor equipped with well-maintained rooms, facilities and amenities.

Location: 136 Bui Thi Xuan Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Statistically, the Chinese holds the highest percentage of the world's population. Their influence and culture has affected and transcend every continent in the world. Back in my hometown, Tacloban City, I have a lot of friends who are of chinese descent and you'll admire them for their brilliance in the field of mathematics and of course, the hardwork and innovative skills that they possess. Our downtown area is also dominated by businesses run by families of Chinese lineage. In the Philippines, we cannot deny the fact that most of our successful entrepreneurs and businessmen are of Chinese blood. It is from this realization that I am predicting that Mandarin would be a must-learn language in the near future.

Trade and commerce has been the main influence of China in the Philippines. And I assume, it is applicable anywhere else where there are Chinese dwellers. As they say, name the merchandise and the Chinese people have it. Go to department stores, hardwares and even groceries and I assure you there is always something labeled as "Made in China".

Before I write about my recent trip to Mainland China, I will first take you to the various Chinatowns of Southeast Asia, a proof that the Chinese culture and heritage is taking over a significant role in the world map.

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A display of wealth and power is a common tourist site in every country. In the Philippines, we have the Malacanang Palace in Manila as well as the Sto. Nino Shrine in Tacloban City, Leyte. The Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City is no different from them. The said landmark known to be the former presidential house, is situated at the city center with the end goal of inviting everyone to witness the combined culture, history and aesthetics of Vietnam.

This year was my second visit to the said Palace. My first visit was in the year 2009 and honestly, nothing has changed except for the entrance fees and the security scanner at the entrance gates. In the year 2009, admission fee costs 10,000 VND and for this year (2011), it already costs 30,000 VND. I so thought the installed security equipment may have made it more expensive.

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If there is one museum which feels so strange yet interesting for me, it would be the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, which others refer to as the Revolutionary Museum.

Since I am not fully acquainted with the history of Vietnam except for the atrocities that it has experienced during the colonial wars of the past, I became fixated to the idea that this will be a tour of another war remnants.

However, it would appear that of all the museums I have visited in Southeast Asia, this one is truly depictive of the locals' life, both in the past and in the present times.

Where can you find cauldrons, woods, clothes, kitchen utensils, sewing machines and the likes displayed in an elegant museum? Strange and funny it may seem that even my mother could build a museum of that kind displaying the old fixtures and clothings that we had. But this is what their life is and was. To understand how the locals live, there is a section in the museum where the theme is mainly on the showcase of these fixtures and utensils, which we neglect to appreciate as it is part of the daily routine of our lives. Thanks to the person who conceptualized this museum that I am now appreciative on the basics of life.

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