M の人生: Chào mừng đến với Việt Nam 2011

I don't know any Vietnamese, that's what I got when I type "Welcome to Vietnam" in Google translate. LOL..

I'm back! and that's because its the exams period again.. if u do follow my inactive blog, I only blog during my exams period... I wonder why..

Just cleared my HRM201 paper today and I'm taking a short break before continuing tomorrow.

Went for a short business trip in Ho Chi Minh City before the exam period start. Not alot of travelling done as most of the time was actually spent working.

"white card" or arrival card - You don't need this unless you have more than US$7,000.

Arrival at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Didn't manage to take any other pics at the airport because I was just trying to make my way around. However, I did manage to take a photo of the arrival hall when I went back again.

Arrival hall.. everybody waits here

Lots of airport taxi were here during the daytime

Be careful when taking taxi from here!! All taxis here along the road belongs to this company call "Airport Taxi" and they charge ridiculous rates here!! I've tried my best to avoid them and walk down the path as seen above. In the end, I still got into one of those taxis... Initially i was quoted US$8, which was quite ok as suggested by many. It takes 120,000 - 150,000 dong (US$6 - 8) to reach downtown in District 1. You don't even need to pay the airport toll.. In the end, I had to pay US$18 (quietly because of the horror stories I heard about taxi drivers in hcmc) as I was already in the cab. Well... you learn it the hard way, don't you?
After this, I'm pretty good with taking taxis in town. Remember, Only take Mai Linh or Vinasun or Saigon Tourism taxis.

Reach the New World Hotel in District 1, takes about 20 - 30 mins in "ok" traffic. Traffic is messily organised here. Some photos of the hotel.

View of hotel at night

The lobby

The room

View from my room

Pretty nice hotel I would say, but I don't think it is 5 star as stated. Started to log in to work and had a room service in the meantime, never did I know I would have so many room services in days to come.

My first PHO - taste was good

After work, I decided to take a walk around the area....

Crossing the roads here can be a challenge and fun at the same time

Ben Thanh Market - its like a must go for all tourist

Trần Nguyên Hãn

Not sure what's this... Took this while walking around...

I thought this building looks retro

Not sure what's this too

After walking around in this hot weather, I decided to go for local coffee. That is a MUST DO on my list. The route which I was walking will bring me pass this famous coffee chain Trung Nguyen. The coffee tasted great but too strong for me. Spent 2 hours in this place relaxing and face-booking, which was rare because Facebook is blocked in most places here. I took these daily until I'm used to it by the time I was going home.

The famous dripping coffee

Wires like this are everywhere

Night view from the cafe

Off to work for the next few days, nothing much was done. My daily itinerary is like this, hotel --> office --> hotel. Eat room service and watch Channel News Asia to follow on the General Election 2011.

Some buildings in District 7.

Dai Minh Convention Centre

Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center - SECC

View of District 7 - Its quite empty as most area here are still in a developing stage

Saigon Paragon

Some random shots along the way from District 1 to 7.

Evening rush hour

Traffic is always as messy as it is organised

I like this shot

Worked until 10pm on Sat night. Managed to setup most of the stuff and went back to the hotel for GE2011.
I managed to get Sunday off for another round of walkabout with her. Eating good food and drinking nice coffee became my way of life here.