Ho Chi Minh City - a City on the move

Ho Chi Minh City

The flight from Singapore on SQ into Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) was smooth and not many passengers - probably it's a Saturday. It was good as I was able to catch one movie - A night at the Museum and it was hilarious.

I arrived at Tan Son Nhut Airport (SGN). It is an old airport without aerobridges. The Vietnamese government is planning to build a new International Airport and has already started work since 2004.

Tan Son Nhat is Vietnam's largest international airport and serves Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). The airport is located about four miles (7km) from downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport was first built in the 1930s, when the French Colonial government constructed a small unpaved airport, known as Tân Sơn Nhất Airfield, in the village of Tan Son Nhat. By 1956 US foreign aid had built a 7,200ft runway and the facility became South Vietnam's international airport. During the Vietnam War, Tan Son Nhat Air Base was an important base for both the United States Air Force (USAF) and the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF).

Though it was a Saturday, surprisingly the airport was crowded and it took a good 30 minutes before I cleared immigration. I was queuing up before the immigration and 2 ladies just stand beside me - pretending that I did not notice them and before I knew it they are now in front of me. This happened to me on last trip to HCMC too, which I did not take much notice of it. They were holding Vietnamese passports but not queuing at the Vietnamese immigration - I wonder why?

I arrange for the hotel to pick me up - at US$6 - you cannot argue with that. Along the way, I notice many enterprising individuals squatting by the roadside running their small businesses, particularly visible are the many motorcycles and all sorts of cargo they carry.

Crossing the Vietnamese roads is an adventure for any foreigner and is not for the faint hearted. As you are crossing the road - motorcyclists will try to avoid you so it's best to keep moving forward otherwise a sure mishap will happen.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city and river port, sprawls across an area of 2,030 sq km on the right bank of the Saigon River. The city is divided into 12 urban and six rural districts. HCMC is known as the most modern city in Vietnam, but the city still retains an ancient architecture and its own cultural identity.In a sense the French presence remains, lingering not only in the minds of the older generations but physically in the legacy of colonial architecture, long tree lined avenues, streets and highways they left behind.

Hotel Review:

Hotel: Omni Saigon Hotel and this will be my residence for the next 6 days. The frontage of the hotel looks similar to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The hotel is just a mere 10 minutes drive via taxi from Ho Chi Minh International airport. Hotel staff are very helpful and pleasant. My room is clean, good ventilation, complimentary broadband internet access, daily fruits re-filled. I would stay again at this hotel. The only disadvantage of staying at this hotel is that it is a bit far from the City central about 25 minutes via taxi. But I would recommend this hotel as the staff is courteous, rooms are clean and the ambience is great.
I was surprise to find that all major 5-star hotels have a casino in-house - Omni Saigon being 5-star probably have the license operate a casino. It's a small casino establishment and cannot be compared to the likes of Las Vagas or Macau.

Dinner was at the Cafe Saigon, they had the most delicious seafood BBQ buffet @ US$28 - with lobsters, huge prawns, mud crabs, rip-eye steaks, pork, chicken, etc. You choose your food and give to the chef a seat tag which indicates where you are seated, then the waiter will bring you the food once it's done. I think this was so cool!