Ho Chi Minh City is often discussed in the context of complete inconceivability. There are always scooters going in every direction, omnipresent traffic, roaring streets, and utter chaos. The first day in the city was quite enlightening in that it negated everything that I had expected to see based on social media.
The city has its challenges of being overwhelming.
However, it can be regarded as great, vibrant, and exciting.
My trip to Vietnam started off smoothly.
The start of my trip was smooth, as there were no delays in checking in my Vietnam Airlines flight from Jakarta.
I hardly had to wait for the security check and much enjoyed Terminal 3 of the airport, which again proved to be one of my fave airports in Southeast Asia.
As for flying with Vietnam Airlines, it was another small surprise for me. The flight was not unpleasant, I had a nice meal and got to the destination ahead of time!
I assumed that I had already passed through the hardest part of my trip.
How wrong I was.
Ho Chi Minh City Airport Tested My Patience
Once I arrived in Vietnam, everything changed.
The arrival area looked like many of the popular videos I have seen—crowded with people and long lines for immigration. I had read many posts online that warned that the immigration process could take up to three hours unless you paid for the service called Fast Track.
It was my curiosity that got the best of me.
I wanted to try it.
But did it really help?
Somewhat.
The wait was shorter but I still spent twenty to thirty minutes afterwards to get processed.
Unfortunately, I was just getting started.
The ATM Disturbance Nobody Warned Me About
Generally speaking, getting money in a new country is typically the simplest part of the trip.
Not today.
The First ATM broke down.
The second ATM stopped operating with my credit card stuck.
The third ATM rejected the transaction.
One ATM was unresponsive.
Then there was still another unresponsive ATM.
This made me confused; I started to doubt if my cards were fully operational.
What made it even weirder is that I was able to use the same cards to shop in stores within the same period; however, the ATMs didn’t work.
Soon, I met another tourist who faced the same problem as me, which reassured me that my issues were common.
No Cash, Can’t Use Grab
That made using Grab an obvious solution.
However, it wasn’t the case.
The application asked for my flight number before using the app.
For some time, I kept entering the number of my flight, but the application wouldn’t verify it.
Super cars didn’t do it for me.
After multiple tries and the driver canceling the ride, I gave up and went for an airport taxi.
In some instances, some extra bucks are worth sacrificing your energy.
First Impressions of Saigon’s Legendary Traffic
Everyone claims that Ho Chi Minh City has the craziest traffic in all of Southeast Asia.
And they’re not exaggerating.
I saw scooters coming from every possible direction.
Cars fit through openings smaller than the width of the smallest car.
I don’t know how intersections keep moving that look hopelessly jammed.
But in a way, despite all my apprehensions, it felt less hostile than I’d imagined.
There was no honking.
People move smoothly through the chaos.
It was chaotic from the outside but there was a rationale behind it.
Walking turned out to be the best decision I made
Eventually, the traffic got so bad that sitting in a cab didn’t seem to make much sense.
Google Maps showed that my hotel was only about fifteen minutes away.
So I decided to get out of the cab.
This simple decision completely changed my first experience of Saigon.
Instead of gazing through a taxi window, I strolled down the vibrant streets filled with street food, families gathering in the evening, colorful marketplaces, musicians, and live concerts right in the city center.
Sometimes, thrilling travel experiences come out of nowhere.
One Thing That Saved My Trip
Without mobile internet, my arrival would have turned into a complete disaster.
I had no cash.
No working ATMs,
Taxi issues,
Getting lost in a new place.
With a constant access to the internet, I was still able to use maps, text people, and try different modes of transport without panicking.
I realized how essential is the role of technology nowadays when you are traveling abroad.
A hotel that brightened up my mood.
After all that trouble, I took a breath of fresh air when I arrived at Hilton Saigon.
My room had a river view.
Floor-to-ceiling windows gave me a chance to admire a stunning skyline at night.
My bathroom was huge.
They offered me some chocolate on the house.
Above all…
I was able to relax.
Not every travel day runs smoothly, but a good hotel can change everything.
The second day of my trip started with the same goal.
I had to find the local currency.
There was a bank mentioned in some online forums, which was known for being compatible with foreign cards.
After making several unsuccessful attempts at other locations and facing an ATM that charged my account without giving me cash, I finally arrived at a machine that worked.
Watching the ATM spit out Vietnamese dong was like winning the lottery.
Only now, when I got my hands on the local currency did I feel like my adventure was actually starting.
Street Food That Was Worth Waiting For
Having now money in my pocket made exploring the place so much better.
One of my first snacks was freshly prepared banana pancakes from a street vendor who was grilling them on the coal.
Simple.
Sweet.
Freshly made.
Exactly the kind of food I was looking for.
My First Coffee with Coconut in Vietnam
Vietnam has a remarkable coffee culture, and that is why I had to try coffee in that country.
Rather than finding a trendy café, I came across a street vendor serving coffee using just what appeared to be sophisticated espresso machines in the middle of a busy intersection.
I ordered a coconut coffee.
It was almost as good to watch as it was to drink it!
The sweetness of coconut blended perfectly with the coffee, making the coffee smoother than I expected.
After just one drink, I can say that it became one of the best drinks of my whole trip.
As to why so many people travel to Vietnam…
As I walked through downtown Saigon, the first thing that caught my eye was that there were tourists everywhere.
Vietnam has quickly become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Southeast Asia, and it is easy to see why.
The atmosphere of the city is busy but still affordable.
You can find food at incredibly low prices.
Be sure to stay in a hotel that is neither over priced, nor of poor quality.
The lifetime on the streets of the city seems endless.
The slightest interest in any aspect of the cultural life of the city will guarantee a great deal of entertaining events and activities.
The mission that inspired me to come here.
Visiting the city is not the only aim of my visit.
Before the trip I was told by my girlfriend Lisa about the Vietnamese cosmetics that made her desire to try it someday.
Lisa didn’t have a clue that I was going to visit Vietnam.
As a result, I decided to make a surprise for her.
Upon walking down one of the well-known buildings in Saigon—the one that used to be the residential apartment turned into cafés and boutiques—I found the name of the brand.
The employees assisted me in selecting several items, told me about their most popular products, and even offered me a cup of free jasmine tea.
Mission accomplished.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Really Too Chaotic?
After listening to numerous opinions before arriving, I can readily give my answer.
Yes, Ho Chi Minh can be overwhelming.
Especially when you have experienced ATM malfunctions, transportation issues, and strange streets right from your arrival.
But the amazing energy and brightly colored food scene are great after you overcome these hurdles.
My initial experience in Saigon was not at all what I had envisioned. Rather, in so many ways, it turned out to be even better.
It is quite true that the start of many unforgettable travel stories is full of chaos!
