The Contrasting Allures of Vietnam

Text by SHAHIDA SAKERI Images by SHAHIDA SAKERI AND UNSPLASH

Vietnam flourishes on contrasts, won’t you agree? One may find serenity in its ancient temples and majestic natural landscapes, while the charming French colonial architecture and ever-evolving concrete jungles magnify its vibrancy. Both thrive together, as if they were odes of the country’s rich past and promising future played simultaneously.

Such contrasting elements are also present in Ho Chi Minh City, the commercial engine of Vietnam and its largest metropolis. The skyline here stretches upwards, and yet, on the curb sides of its busy roads, humble carts offer some of the most heavenly street food on earth. And, unlike many other economic hubs, it still has plenty of public green spaces for those seeking muchneeded seclusion.

Having that said, choosing a starting point for your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City can be challenging, especially if you were visiting it for the first time. The massive city is divided into 24 districts that are spread out. I recommend that you base yourself at District 1 – the city’s liveliest area – to get the most of your trip. Then, proceed with a hop-on hop-off bus tour (hopon-hopoff.vn) on the first day to take you to the popular attractions, including Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Saigon Central Post Office. This way, you not only get to save time navigating the city but also get to understand the city’s sense of place in an easier way.

Speaking of a sense of place, why not get to know the city and the country better by visiting the History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City? After all, a country’s character is often shaped by the formative events in the past, and the same can be said about Vietnam’s. The museum introduces the country throughout the ages, starting from Stone Age and Chinese Domination to the French colonial era and Vietnamese Dynasties.

Moreover, those who are culturallydriven should watch water puppetry at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre. This unique Vietnamese folk art originated from the villages of the Red River Delta in North Vietnam with a history of over 4,000 years. The show combines an amusing retelling of Vietnamese legends and beautiful traditional music performed in a chest-deep pool of water. And in case you’re wondering, yes, the entire show is carried out in Vietnamese. But don’t let that scare you because the show is still remarkably entertaining!

In the evenings, go peoplewatching at the Nguyen Hue Street that comes alive with street performances, light shows, food vendors, and Gen-Z skateboarders showing off their cool skills – trust me, the energy here is electrifying. The street is also lined up with trendy fashion boutiques on both sides, ideal for those looking for retail therapy. Walk a little further, and you’ll see the iconic Apartment 42 building, filled with plenty of artisanal cafes serving some of the best coffees for anywhere between VND5,000 to VND70,000. Don’t forget to try Ca Phe Sua Da, which is Vietnamese iced coffee served with thick condensed milk – it’s a sweet combo and can be very addictive. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, get a cup of egg coffee instead!

STAY: Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

Set in the thick of the action, this elegant hotel overlooking Saigon River gives guests easy access to some of highly acclaimed restaurants and thriving shopping scenes in the city. The comfortable rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, perfect for a city getaway!

HALAL EATS 1.Pho Muslim – located near the Nancy Mosque, this unassuming restaurant is known to serve some of the best Halal phos in town.

2.Halal@Saigon Restaurant – owned and run by a Malaysian Muslim, offering visiting Malaysians a taste of home, including delicious Vietnamese classics.

3.The Daun Restaurant – popular among Muslim travellers for its diverse menu, ranging from Vietnamese, Malaysian, to Singaporean and Western delicacies.

4.Elisa Floating Restaurant – offers a romantic dinner experience on a traditional wooden ship. They serve halal fare but need to be pre-booked well in advance.

Alternatively, travellers can join a food tour done by local experts. Saigon Food Tour (saigonfoodtour.com), for instance, introduces the adventurous to fun-filled culinary explorations that can be tailored according to travellers’ needs, including halal meals. Contact Mr. Nam at +84988591216 for bookings. SLOW DOWN AT CAN GIO MANGROVE BIOSPHERE RESERVE A day-tripper’s delight, Can Gio Mangrove is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve located in Can Gio district, the largest and one of the least populated of Ho Chi Minh City’s districts. It is Vietnam’s first biosphere reserve and regarded by experts as one of the world’s best-rehabilitated mangroves. Travellers should take advantage of this area’s fresh air by enjoying a slow boat ride along the streams, and while they’re at it, try to spot the animals that call this biosphere reserve home.

DIVE DEEP INTO THE TRANQUILITY OF NINH VAN BAY Brace yourself for a pastoral idyll at L’Alya Ninh Van Bay, a nature resort oozing with discrete luxury set against the backdrop of a lush tropical forest reserve. All accommodation units are respectfully built around the natural surroundings and feature eco-friendly furnishing along with private pools of minimally treated water from the nearby hills.

For the most romantic moment, cruise into the sunset with a free flow of drinks (non-alcoholic included) and feast over scrumptious meals on the catamaran. Or go on a full pampering mode at the spa with a special Vietnamese massage incorporating a unique cupping technique. Those who prefer to be more active can take advantage of the early morning yoga session, jungle trekking activity, and kayaking. This is certainly the place where guests can be blissful by doing all, or nothing.

But like many stays in hotels or resorts, a memorable experience is defined by its hospitality. And for this, L’Alya delivers outstandingly. Thi, my personal butler, moves me with her sweet gestures and attentiveness, while Cong the naturalist, is amazing at telling stories. The pair, along with the rest of the team, truly represent the kindness and fun-loving spirit that the Vietnamese are known for.

Vietnam is Committed in Becoming a Top Destination of Choice in South East Asia

Two years after the international borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam sees a strong tourism recovery as the country welcomes over 1.2 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2022. This upturn is further sweetened when the country bagged several awards at the 2022 World Travel Awards for the Asia region, including the “Asia leading business travel destination” title for Ho Chi Minh City.

Various promotional campaigns and initiatives are actively carried out to cement the country’s position on the world’s tourism map. This includes the 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo 2022 which is highly regarded as Vietnam’s leading travel event, gathering industry professionals from 18 countries and territories, including Australia, France, Germany, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

During the programme, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism also shares that the country is focusing on smart and sustainable tourism developments, along with improving infrastructures in secondary tourism destinations to attract more international tourists to Vietnam.

The writer’s trip to Vietnam is organised in conjunction with the 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo 2022 (ITE HCMC 2022). Our sincerest gratitude to Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, and Wanderlust Tips Magazine for making the writer’s experience in Vietnam smooth and memorable.

On previous page, clockwise from top, left: Ho Chi Minh City is known as the birthplace of the Vietnam’s well-loved delicacy, banh mi (Photo by Ben Lei on Unsplash); Vietnamese egg coffee has a humble beginning in the 1940s, originally created in response to the milk shortage caused by the French War; The boat tour at Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Resort is well-suited for nature lovers; L’Alya Ninh Van Bay exudes discreet luxury that allows guests to be close to nature (Photo by L’Alya Ninh Van Bay).

On this page, from top, left: The iconic Apartment 42 hosts an eclectic mix of cafes, boutiques, salons, and co-working spaces (Photo by jet dela cruz on Unsplash); Admire the priceless historical and cultural artefacts from Vietnam’s past at the History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City; Water puppetry is a cultural treasure that dates back as far as the 11th century; The 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Expo 2022 was filled with dialogues and discourse on the future of tourism in Vietnam.