When I was little, I remember
looking through the boxes of slide films of my Aunt from her travels around the
world. I remember seeing buildings, trees, snow and blue skies. I liked looking
at them but I didn’t know why. My cousin also told me that my grandma got angry
at my aunt after she came back penniless from her trips. Now they're saying to
me that I am like my Aunt. I may never have met her, but I guess in some way,
her pictures impacted what my life is now. I guess I was like her too,
embracing the unfamiliar, just wanting to see things and know.
February 17 of this year, I went to
Vietnam. It was my first solo travel. And with it were a lot of 'firsts'
experiences. In general, it was all so spontaneous, interesting, weird, an
eye-opener, educational. It's such a good way to begin my year.
It all began last year, when a
sudden update on a local airline appeared on my email, announcing low fares on
flights. I dared myself to book without any plans yet, like what I'm gonna do,
or who I'm gonna go with. The possibility of traveling solo got me excited and
courageous. Where are the countries that are easier to go when alone? I was
thinking of Singapore, but there weren't enough sale flights left anymore. Then
a friend suggested Vietnam. Although it is not an English speaking country,
their tourism is well organized. So as soon as I got home at 2am, I
booked for Vietnam. I was that easy to get convinced.
I went to Ho Chi Minh, the Mekong
Delta, and Cu Chi. Here are things that are memorable about the place: Coffee,
pho, motorbikes, scam, lover of the local arts and history, hardworking.
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| At Cu Chi Tunnel. A local demonstrates how the guerillas quickly hid in the tunnels which they dug underground during the anti-American war. It took him only three seconds to hide here. We were all amazed how agile he was! Vietnamese prides in winning the war and it's imminent through their various war museums. |
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| Good morning! Pho with pork cuts for breakfast. I was supposed to get chicken, but I guess they didn't understand me. Hehe. Pho is everywhere, and the best ones are on the streets.The mix varies, and the most flavorful that I have tasted was the stall right at the corner of Do Quang Dau and Pham Ngu Lao streets. It was lemony, minty with a hint sweetness, aromatic and fresh! |
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| They say that the ratio of locals here to motorcycles is 1:1. Lonely Planet claimed Vietnam to be the king of motorbikes. Other tourists gave advice to just cross the street and the motorbikes will find a way not to hit you. I kinda followed that advice and ended up holding the hand of a random student while crossing. |
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| Iced Vietnamese coffee. An espresso shot from a famous coffee shop was nothing compared to this! The impact for me was like hard alcohol, minus the tipsiness and headache. I love it. Bitter Sweet Coffee House is located in Le Than Ton St. in District 1, near Revolutionary Museum. For me, this was the best mix I tasted in Vietnam. Their brand really says the taste. You can try also the coffee from street vendors for something milder and sweeter, something more tourist-friendly I guess. |
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| Cabbage vendors preparing, in Floating Market, Cai Rang, Mekong. |
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| One of the many art workshops I've visited. Watching the artists do their artworks step by step is I think good for their sales because tourists get to know how each process is intricate and tedious, and this can increase appreciation for their arts and craft. |
