Vietnam gets its name famed for a healthy respect towards many kinds of religions. When it comes to the largest city in the country – Saigon, visitors find it easy to realize that Buddhists, Christians and Muslims around the city are diverse in good numbers, in which all live together in ideal harmony.

While pagodas and temples are the places for Buddhists and Taoists to practice their belief, churches are where Christians can say their prayers. Temples and churches are dotted everywhere, some of us can wonder where to see mosques – the spots for Muslims?

Start from researching some mosques in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, which is worth visiting before any booking.

Saigon Central Mosque

Top 4 Mosques in Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Thanh Van

In the year of development and integration, dynamic cities like Ho Chi Minh city are packed with high-end shopping malls and become a shopping paradise to local and foreigners visitors coming from every corner around the world. If you really want to get in touch with Vietnamese culture, and blend in with the locals, don’t miss to visit Tan Dinh Market. This is where you can observe Vietnamese people in every aspect of their lives, from the way they talk and the way they eat, to how a typical day in Vietnam unfolds.

TOP 5 BEST MARKETS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Located at 48 Hai Ba Trung street, Tan Dinh ward, District 1. This market is opposite to the famous 150-year-old pink Tan Dinh Church, making it easier to find your way around this area.

Built by the French colonial government in 1926, Tan Dinh market serves as one of the city’s historical monuments as well as a well-known shopping location for both locals and newcomers. Since it is located right at the corner of the Hai Ba Trung – Nguyen Huu Cau crossroads, it has four gateways. After nearly 100 years of existence, Tan Dinh market has remained as a prominent commercial center of Saigon’s downtown area which houses a food court and thousands of stalls selling groceries, clothing, footwear, fruits, textiles, and everything in between.

Although food and fabrics are Tan Dinh market’s specialty, this market also contains a plethora of commodities to make your everyday routine that much better or bring something home to remind you of Vietnam! Clothing, footwear, accessories, fresh produce, household items, and many other thing, you name it! Many products are of good quality but there are also other ordinary products that they sell at affordable prices for people with small budgets. It would take you about one hour to go around and discovery all things displayed. But you should see for yourself the items that made this market so well-know to the locals.

5 FOODS YOU WON’T MISS WHEN IN SAI GON

Tan Dinh Market is one of the safest markets in Ho Chi Minh City thanks to the professional team of security guards who work 24/24. Smoking is not allowed inside the market to ensure fire safety. The motorcycle and bicycle parking is next to the market and managed well.

A truly authentic Vietnamese Market – Tan Dinh Market
Nguyen Thanh Van

The best markets in Ho Chi Minh City are must-visits for shopping enthusiasts and first-time visitors looking to experience the daily lives of the local population. Mostly set within the tourist-friendly District 1, these traditional markets open as early as 06:00 with local vendors selling fresh produce, household supplies, and Vietnamese street food at attractive prices.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh market is the most popular name when mentioning about shopping. As the biggest market in HCMC, you can find all the stuff you need right here in District 1. This bustling street market gets really packed in the mornings as locals come here to shop for fresh fruits, spices, nuts, seafood, and household supplies. Throughout the day (and night), you can see rows of coffee traders with various beans on display and stalls selling apparels, textiles, luggage, watches, handicrafts, and electronic goods until 24:00. Ben Thanh Market is also a good place to get your fill of inexpensive street food such as pho noodles, spring rolls, and banh xeo (crispy pancake).

Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon China Town Market)

Binh Tay market is located in the center of the largest Chinatown district in Vietnam. Great for experiencing the local Buddhist culture, the market offers a vibrant atmosphere, opulent Chinese architecture, as well as a fascinating assortment of handicrafts, lacquerware, textiles and fresh produce.

THE UNSPOKEN RULES OF CHO LON (SAIGON’S CHINA TOWN)

There’s also an open-air food court at the back of the market where you can enjoy tasty treats such as Vietnamese noodles, banh bao (steamed bun with pork filling), and Chinese sausages. Market shopping – especially in Southern Vietnam’s notorious humidity – can get tiring; for a quick breather, head to the breezy central courtyard and check out the alter and stone plaque honouring Binh Tay’s founder.

5 FOODS YOU WON’T MISS WHEN IN SAI GON

An Dong Market

An Dong Market (Craft Market) is a four-storey indoor market that houses mostly fashion wholesalers and handicrafts stalls. The market is an ideal place for fashion enthusiasts because you can find a huge collection of textiles, apparel, handbags, and accessories on the first two floors and quality knitwear, trinkets, and woodwork in the top floor. On the first two floors while the top floor is dedicated to quality woodwork, lacquerware, knitwear and trinkets made by skilled local artisans.

Tan Dinh Market

Built in 1926, Tan DInh market serves as a historical monument and also a well-known shopping location for both local people and newcomers. Head north from the city center and the market should be along Hai Ba Trung street, just across the road from the prominent landmark of Tan Dinh church. It only takes a ten-minute walk to get to Tan Dinh market from the Turtle Lake (Ho Con Rua).

At the front of Tan Dinh market stands a multitude of street vendors offering some of Saigon’s best street food. Besides, you can also immerse in colorful local silks in sophisticated patterns as you walk into the main area of the building. Although fabrics and food are Tan Dinh market’s specialties, the market contains a lot more commodities to make your routine much better: clothing, footwear, fresh produce, household items, accessories,… Many products has good quality but there are other ordinary products as well that you can buy at an affordable price.

Dan Sinh Market

Dan Sinh Market caters to a niche clientele, selling a wide array of military memorabilia from the Vietnam War. Also called the War Surplus Market, it is a short five-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao, which is the city’s backpacking district. You can buy old zippo lighters, M-17 gas masks, the helmets of fighter pilots, army uniforms, and dog tags. There are also countless stalls selling different types of building materials, household hardware, plumbing pipes, and industrial machinery. Do note that almost everything here is not an authentic war relic, so make sure you haggle with the vendors to get a decent price.

Top 5 Best Markets in Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Thanh Van

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is famous for abundant, affordable and diverse street foods. Saigon is indeed a city for food lovers all over the world.
Here are some of the best spots to check out:

Bun Mam (Noodle Soup with Fermented Fish Sauce Broth)

Bun Mam can be challenging because of its strong smell. It’s a noodle soup with fermented fish broth, seafood and pork belly. It sounds smelly but once tasted it, you might be addicted to its thick rice noodles and savory fish and meat.

– Bun Mam Dac San: 22 Phan Boi Chau, Dist. 1

– Bun Mam 444: 369 Le Quang Dinh Str., Binh Thanh Dist.

Banh Beo (Water Fern Cake)

A very familiar street food dish among Vietnamese, as well as Saigonese. You dip the small round rice-flour cakes, topped with pork rinds and toasted shrimp powder, into a dipping bowl of fish sauce. One serving often comes with 8-10 cakes.

– Nam Giao: 136 Le Thanh Ton Street, Dist. 1

Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)

Banh Cuon is a favorite breakfast dish for Vietnamese people – it’s cheap, simple yet delicious. The thin steamed rice papers are rolled with or without ground pork and wood ear mushrooms, topped with fried onions. Dip one roll into a bowl of fish sauce, you’ll know why this dish is loved widely by Vietnamese people.

– Banh Cuon Hai Nam: 11A Cao Thang, HCMC

– Banh Cuon Tay Ho 1: 127 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, District 1

Banh Trang Tron

Banh Trang Tron was invented by Southerners, the most popular street snack in Ho Chi Minh city. You can easily find the stalls selling this dish on almost every corner of the city. The dish is composed of rice paper threats, mixed with all kinds of toppings and spices. The taste is sour and lightly spicy which is so addicted and makes you crave it for more.

– Nguyen Thuong Hien Street, Ward 5, Dist. 3

– Banh Trang Tron Hoa Hao: Hoa Hao Street, Dest. 10

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Common dish of not only Ho Chi Minh City but all the South Vietnam. People can eat Com Tam (Broken Rice) for all meals. The dish is simple yet can make you full for half of the day, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. The name came from the fact that after the drying and milling process, the farmer used the leftover grains which are usually broken but cheaper than whole grain.

– Com Tam Cali: 32 Nguyen Trai Street, Dist. 1

– Com Tam Moc: 85 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, Dist. 1

Source: asianwaytravel

5 Foods you won’t miss when in Sai Gon
Nguyen Thanh Van

This list of useful tips and tricks of Vietnam is mostly for first time visitors, but it can help anyone achieve a safe and worry-free travel.

Someone who came to Vietnam, all most fell in love with the hearty people, the vibrant culture, and the amazing diversity of landscapes. Hope anyone who will travel to Vietnam also have the same rewarding travel experience.

However, this is a list of everything you should know before visiting Vietnam for safe and scam free trip to prepare you to one of the most amazing countries on Earth!!

1.Sort out your Visa 

2.Do not underestimate the size of the country

3.Be smart about your itinerary

4.Weather varies a lot.

5.Get ready to haggle

6.Hanoi is quainter than you think

7.People are lovely

8.So many Beautiful Sand Beaches in the South of Vietnam

9.Everyone’s a millionaire

10.Dress appropriately

11.It’s a paradise for foodies

12.Book direct tour from a high ranking company on Tripadvisor

13.Don’t miss Ha Long Bay Cruise, Sapa Valley, Ha Giang Loop, Hanoi Old Quarter and Ninh Binh province in the north of Vietnam

14.Don’t miss Da Nang, Hue , Hoi An, and Ba Na Hill in middle of Vietnam

15.Don’t miss Da Lat flower mountain city, Nha Trang Beach, Quy Nhon, Ho Chi Minh city, and Mekong Delta in the South of Vietnam

16.Don’t miss Phu Quoc Island

17.Wifi is everywhere

18.It’s freaking cheap

19.Avoid tap water!!

20.Go for the street food.

Vietnam Tips And Tricks: 20 Key Things To Know Before Your Trip
Nguyen Thanh Van

Typical for modern Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a temple attracting the most crowded tourists in Ho Chi Minh City.

Located at 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is the most famous temple in Ho Chi Minh City.

The founders of the temple were Thich Tam Giac and Thich Thanh Kiem from the Northern. The name of Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Saigon is same named with a wooden pagoda as Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Duc La Commune, Tri Yen District, Tang Giang District, Bac Giang Province. This is a temple established from the reign of King Ly Thai To, which was the center of Buddhism propagation of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism.

In 1971, Vinh Nghiem pagoda was basically completed, including the central building, Quan The Am Stupa, the buildings for social activities.

The pagoda is a quite monumental, traditional architecture with red tiled roofs with curved heads. In 2005, due to the implementation of the project to expand Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, the Tam Quan gate of the pagoda was relocated to the present location.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is one of the typical works for Vietnamese Buddhist architecture in the 20th century.

This is also a temple attracts the number of tourists visiting and admiring the leading of Ho Chi Minh City today.

Source: kienthuc.com.vn

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – the most famous temple in Saigon
Nguyen Thanh Van

Once dearly described as “the Pearl of the Orient”, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon is the largest city of Vietnam enchanting tourists by the Western architecture, impressive landscape, modern shopping malls as well as mouthwatering local dishes. Some popular highlights you cannot miss when visiting Ho Chi Minh City are Saigon’s Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh market, etc. Here is some useful information we want to share with you. Enjoy reading and hope you have a wonderful Vietnam vacation!

Overview of Ho Chi Minh’s Weather

Thanks to the pleasant climate all year round, you can take your Ho Chi Minh City tours at any time of the year. With a tropical climate, Ho Chi Minh has two distinctive seasons dry and wet. The dry one is considered the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City.

The Dry Season: From December to April

Starting from December and lasting until April, the dry season is the hottest, with the average temperature of 28 °C. In late April, the temperature can reach 39 °C around the daytime. December is the coldest month of the year is when the temperature may fall below 17 °C in the early mornings. To escape from the normal sticky weather of Saigon, you should take your tour in December when the humidity is moderate. In addition, from December to April, the sky is blue and clear making a stunning backdrop for the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon.

Especially, if you visit Ho Chi Minh City during this time, you will have an opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year explosively with local people here. Make sure that you book air tickets and hotels at least one month before the trip because during Lunar New Year (around late-January and mid-February), many shops and stores will be closed and air tickets will be fully booked just before it.

The Wet Season: From May to November

Tourists often visit Ho Chi Minh City during the dry season but the rainy season still has its advantages. Lasting from late June to September, the wet season is the time when the city is endowed with a rare nice climate. At that time, the rains occur more frequently, so it is quite humid and rainy. However, it’s only raining for a short time, clear as quickly as they come, and give space for even more sunlight. Because the period from April to June is the season transforms from spring to summer, the weather is unpredictable.

During the wet season, there are many national holidays such as April 30th holiday is called the Vietnam Reunification of North and South, May Day on May 1st, and Vietnam National Day on September 2nd. Therefore, if you visit Ho Chi Minh on these days, you will see many typical organizational events taking place in the city. Note that, during these days, transportation and restaurant services may be a little scantier for visitors, especially in nearby tourist spots such as Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Dalat. Traveling during the time from June to beginning September is a good choice for beach and sun lovers. If you take your Ho Chi Minh tour on two last months of the season, you need bringing warm clothes because the temperature will colder. Note that, you also should bring a raincoat and an umbrella to avoid the rain.

With some useful information above, we hope that you get some ideas about Ho Chi Minh City Tours. Actually, every time during a year is usually a good time for visiting this city in general. You don’t have to worry about the weather of the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City; all you need is good services and well-planned tours. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the trip, our experienced experts will help you clear all the problems.

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Thanh Van

Cho Lon is a unique place, and sometimes with unique places, there are a few rules that you should be aware of before you enter. Besides these rules, you should also skim this article for a general idea about this great part of Saigon!

TOP 5 BEST MARKETS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

When Chinese refugees came to Cho Lon (Saigon’s Chinatown) over 200 years ago, not only did they bring their delicious cuisine, but they also brought with them their traditions, culture, and etiquette.  In Chinatown, there are certain rules that are known among those that live there, but are generally unspoken of. Visitors are usually completely clueless, and sometimes even end up offending others with their actions. Are you curious yet? Keep scrolling down for a list of interesting “secrets”, some local restaurants that sell good food and safety advice.

Introduction

Spreading over half of District 5, and a considerable section of District 6, Cho Lon is the biggest Chinatown of Vietnam. The name “Cho Lon” directly translates to Big Market. The original Cantonese name is “Tai-Ngon” and Mandarin name is “Di’an”, both of which mean “embankment.”

Before merging with Saigon in the 1930’s, Cho Lon used to be a city in itself. In the past, many Chinese refugees ran away from war in their country, and resettled in Cho Lon, creating a Chinese community overseas. The Minh Huong village was the first Chinese settlement. In 1778 and 1782, the Hoa people from Pho Islet (Bien Hoa, nowadays) ran away from the massacre of Tay Son, looking for a place to resettle. Here they built high embankments against the flow of the river and called the new land “Tai-Ngon.”

During the Vietnam War, Cho Lon was a big black market where soldiers and deserters traded US Army-issued items and various American goods.

What You Can Expect From Cho Lon

As an important landmark of Saigon, the area of Cho Lon reveals yet another interesting lifestyle of this city to those that visit. While Cho Lon is the name of a market, when you refer to Cho Lon, people likely think of the whole Chinatown area located in District 5. You can find genuine characteristics of the Chinese-Vietnamese community. Furniture and personal items are quoted at wholesale prices! If you are a traveler, food and pagodas are the real places worth visiting, so don’t miss them.

Food in Chinatown

Chinatown is a heaven for foodies – you can find lots of different dishes for cheap prices. Here are a few you should try:

Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake)

Banh xeo is essentially Vietnamese pancake. The way it is prepared differs throughout the country. In Cho Lon, the preparation follows southern methods, making the end product a shiny yellow crepe with prawns, sliced pork onion and bean sprouts inside. When you eat it, you will roll a piece within a salad leaf and dip it in sweet fish sauce.Banh xeo Le Quang Sung at 81A Le Quang Sung, Ward 12, District 6 is the best restaurant according to the locals in Cho Lon. It was founded more than 70 years ago. The pancake wrapper is crispy, the prawns are fresh and the fish sauce served there is delicious. Besides banh xeo, they also serve other food such as: banh cong (Vietnamese fried shrimp cake) and spring rolls. The price is quite reasonable – only 45,000 VNĐ for a banh xeo, 12,000 VND for a banh cong and 6,000 VNĐ for 1 spring roll.

Pho 

It would remiss of me to not mention pho, especially when we are talking about food. Pho is Vietnam’s de-facto national dish. Find your best bowl of Pho in district 6 at Pho Xuan Mai (63 Nguyen Thi Nho, Ward 2, District 6)

Xoi Bat Buu (Chinese Sticky Rice)

Together with bánh mì, xôi (sticky rice) is a common street food that Vietnamese people love to eat during any time of the day. Xôi Bát Bửu is a Chinese dish that that is hard to find anywhere else other than in Chinatown. I personally love the flavor you taste from the mixed ingredients – it’s sweet and sour from the char siu (grilled pork), Chinese sausage, salted radish and dried shrimp. It also smells good because of the soy sauce used and the use of shiitake mushrooms makes it a wonderful addition in terms of taste and texture.

You can find this dish in 254 Lê Quang Sung, Ward 6, District 6. The price is 15,000 VNĐ for a packet of Xôi.

Chestnut bubble tea

You can find bubble tea in every corner of Saigon. But what makes Chinatown’s bubble tea special is the topping. Instead of using tapioca pearls to make the bubble balls, this one shop in Cho Lon decided to be creative by using chestnuts covered with flour and so making the bubbles crunchier when you chew. The cheese balls and cheese pudding served there are also worth a try.

You can go to Tra sua Chi Lang at 199/9 Le Quang Sung, Ward 6, District 6 to get yourself a cuppa milk tea topped with cheese balls. The price ranges from 15,000 VNĐ to 30,000 VNĐ depending on the topping you choose.

Dim sum

What about Chinese dim sum?  Just like sushi, dim sum in Saigon is mainly sold in fancy restaurants at higher prices. But hey, when you are in Chinatown, you can expect to find mouth-watering dim sum on the streets and they barely cost you a dollar.

On 201 Le Quang Sung, Ward 6, District 6 there is a small place that sells dim sum for only 1,000 VNĐ a piece of ha cao and 3,000 VNĐ for a piece of xiu mai. Xiu Mai is definitely more delicious to me. Besides ha cao and xiu mai, you can also find banh he (Chinese chive cake).

Hot ga tra (Chinese egg tea soup dessert)

The Chinese egg tea soup is made of peeled egg, Chinese herbal tea, sugar, and water. Certainly sounds weird to put egg in tea, but this is worth a try!

There are some places where you can find hot ga tra in Chinatown:

• Che Ha Ky is the most famous among the shops serving this in Chinatown. Apart from Chinese egg tea soup, they also serve more than 38 different types of sweet soups priced reasonably: 20,000 VNĐ for a bowl of hot ga tra and from 15,000 to 25,000 for other che.
• Che Cot Dien on 476 Tran Hung Đao, Ward 14, District 5 was started by a Chinese refugee in 1938 who served only a pot of green bean sweet soup. More than 70 years later, the shop is now famous among other districts too. You can find hot ga tra for only 20,000 VNĐ and the price for other sweet soups start from 15,000 – 30,000 VNĐ

Pagodas in Chinatown

Ba Thien Hau Pagoda

Established by a group of Cantonese speaking Chinese in the 18th century, this is one of the oldest temples of Saigon. This pagoda plays a crucial role in the religious life of the locals. Since its establishment, this place has been a common gathering space for Chinese immigrants, where they can catch up with and support each other away from their hometown. This pagoda worships Goddess Thien Hau, who can foresee the future and is known to save fishermen from storms. It was also due to this belief that, 200 years ago, the Chinese immigrants brought the spiritual symbol of Goddess Thien Hau all the way from China to Vietnam during their trip through the ocean.

Apart from such a beautiful religious faith, you will also admire the old Oriental architecture that is cleverly featured all around the temple. The sculptures crafted to decorate the walls and roofs are so meticulous and well maintained throughout the centuries that you should pay close attention to each one when you visit.

Every year, on the 23rd of Lunar March, the temple solemnly celebrates the incense rite to pay homage to Goddess Thien Hau. This is a great chance to witness the importance of this temple to its people and the celebrations begin at 7 AM.

Address: 710 Nguyen Trai, District 5, HCMC

Phuoc An Temple

This temple was built by the Chinese immigrating from Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang province, China. In 1865, this temple was founded on the grounds of the collapsed Hoa An temple. In 1902, Phuoc An temple was renovated. However, the typical architectural features brought from the hometown of the founders are well retained still today!

It is no exaggeration to say that the wood sculptures are the most remarkable features of this Oriental temple. On the 24 fastidiously created wooden artworks hung on the walls, the artisans expressed their great reverence to the integrity of the worshipped gods.

Every year, on the birthday of Quan Thanh De Emperor (13th of Lunar January), the locals hold a sacred celebration at this temple. This god was a historical mandarin, who was famous for this integrity. You can partake by burning incense.

Address: 184 Hong Bang, District 5, HCMC

Quan Am Pagoda

This sacred temple was built during the second half of the 18th century by the Chinese from Fujian province. Quan Am refers to a Bodhisattva who often silently supports people in need. People worship this Bodhisattva who appears as a gentle lady. In Quan Am pagoda, you will not see the sculpture of a Bodhisattva in an elegant white dress like in other pagodas, but that of Goddess Thien Hau. This is, however, very normal and does not contradict any religious beliefs.

You will find a small lake built in 1908 in front of the main hall. It is, according to Fong Shui, a way to accumulate good energy for the temple. Today, it is not only the Fujian people but also people from the surrounding areas that come here to worship the compassionate Goddess and make beautiful prayers.

Address: 12 Lao Tu, District 5, HCMC

The rules

The Hoa community teaches their kids to always preserve their rich customs and culture. The children are told to speak Chinese when at home and also told to follow these rules:

1. Visit the pagoda

On the 15th and 16th of every month in the lunar calendar, many Hoa people usually go to the pagoda to pray for luck, health, wealth, and love. In Cho Lon, there are many charming Chinese-style pagodas, built centuries ago, and people go to different pagodas to pray for different things.

For example: Many Hoa people go to Chua Minh Huong pagoda (184, Hong Bang, Ward 6, District 5), to pray for prosperity and fortune before they start their business. Those who are seeking their soul mate will pray for love in Chua Ong pagoda (676 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5). Chua Ba Thien Hau pagoda (710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5) is dedicated to goddess Thien Hau and here people ask for safety and protection for themselves and their loved ones. Which one will you visit? Or will you visit all three? Even if you don’t believe in prayers, you can still visit these temples to revel in their beauty and watch others as they ask for peace of mind.

2. Follow superstitions

Superstitions are everywhere but the Hoa people take it to a whole new level. Some examples are:

a. Don’t be the first to buy from a shop if you believe that somehow you may bring bad luck to the shop and prevent them from attracting more customers.

Each business has its ups and downs. But some superstitious Hoa people (and even some Vietnamese) believe that there are people that bring good vibes and bad vibes. If a person with good vibes walks in, the business will blossom, which means that if a person with bad vibes walks in, the opposite will happen. Bad vibes will send negative energy and may discourage customers from entering the shop. Could it be true? Maybe you should find out.

If a person with good vibes walks in, the business will blossom, which means that if a person with bad vibes walks in, the opposite will happen.

The funny thing is that if you are the one with good vibes, you will not get a discount on your bill. But if you are the one with the bad vibes, the seller will not be happy and may perform a ritual – called ‘Dot phong long’ in Vietnamese.  However, do not worry because it is not going to affect your luck in a negative way. It’s all superstition right?

How to tell if you are the one bringing in bad vibes

• When you enter a busy shop and most of the customers suddenly leave, then it’s you! So pay attention next time when you go shopping or eat out in a restaurant.
• If you have a local friend, just ask them what their opinion is.

b. Don’t get a haircut in January or the first day of every month (Lunar calendar) because it is taboo

Although this is based on no science, many Hoa people still avoid getting a haircut in January or the first day of the month in the Lunar calendar because they think it is going to bring them bad luck which may mean losing money at a later time.

c. Don’t take a picture of 3 people

It is said that if there are three people in a photo, the one in the middle will die first. Though it is obviously odd, you should avoid taking pictures of three when you are with Hoa people (and some Vietnamese as well).

d. Ram Thang Bay (Full moon day of July)

July is said to be the month of “homeless souls” in Vietnam. Besides making ceremonial offerings to pray for the wandering souls every day, many Hoa families in Cho Lon usually add money to their offerings on full moon days. After the worshiping ceremony, the money and food (usually fruits and sweets) will be thrown on the street. The amount of money depends on the size of the family business. People believe that the more money they sacrifice, the more successful their business will be.

3. Don’t gift certain things because they are taboo

If you are invited as a guest of a Hoa family in Cho Lon, be careful in what you bring. Here are some items that are considered taboo:

• A clock/watch: Superstitious Hoa people believe that the clock/watch is a symbol of “running out of time”.
• A pair of shoes: The word shoes sounds like evil and it’s something you step on, so it is thought to be bad luck.
• A mirror: If you have Asian friends, you may have heard that if someone breaks a mirror, it is a bad omen. It is believed that mirrors can attract ghosts, so giving one to a Hoa member is not a good idea.
• A glass/cup: What is wrong with a cute glass or a cup? The problem is that in Chinese “a glass” sounds similar to “dispersal” so it is believed that it will split people up.

Note: Number four is considered to be the number of death (once again an issue with pronunciation – number four in Chinese is similar to the word “death”. So you shouldn’t bring anything in sets of four. On the other hand, eight is the number of luck).

4. Family meal

When you attend a lunch or dinner with a Hoa family, there are two things you should not do:

• Don’t leave chopsticks upright in your bowl of rice: This will resemble incense sticks which are usually offered to the dead.
• Don’t flip fish on its plate: This is a bad omen. Especially if there is a driver or a fisherman in the family. People fear that turning a fish over would capsize the boat when they go fishing or it could turn the steering wheel and cause an accident.

This is all for the superstitions that the Hoa people believe!

Keep your belongings safe!

Prevention is better than a cure and this can not only be applied to diseases but also to road safety and pickpockets! Here are a few tips that will be useful when traveling to Cho Lon:

• Taking good care of your belongings is necessary. Instead of using a handbag, it would be better to go for a backpack and wear it on your front.
• You shouldn’t wear valuable jewelry if you go to Chinatown by bike.
• If you ride a scooter and carry a bag, you should strap it to your front.

The idea is to just be rational and weary about your surroundings.

That was a lot to take in, right? Why not share this experience with a local friend as they guide you through Saigon? We offer a donation-based city tour lead by volunteer university students who love connecting with travelers and more importantly, are authentic experts at places to go and things to do in this city. To start off, we recommend sites which are famous tourist attractions like the War Remnants Museum or Central Post Office for you to try in case you are not sure where to go.

By spending a day in Cho Lon, you will learn many things, especially about the customs of the Hoa people living in Saigon. Have fun and keep your belongings safe!

Source: guide.cmego.com

The Unspoken Rules of Cho Lon (Saigon’s Chinatown)
Nguyen Thanh Van

Vietnam offers travelers many means of transportation. Some of these forms of transportation can be unpleasant or long, but one thing is for sure, the best way to embrace this country’s beauty is hopping on a motorbike for a trip. We have a proud collection of many breathtaking motorbike passes throughout the country, looping around stunning mountain and jungle views. Let’s take a ride across Vietnam from north to south!

Hanoi – Moc Chau Route

An Unrivaled Beauty Between the Mountains

It’s about 180 kilometers from Hanoi to Moc Chau along National Route 6 towards Son La and Dien Bien province. Overall, National Route 6 is well constructed with two wide lanes and a nice surface. Traveling by motorbike will take approximately four hours, including passing Kem and Cun slope halfway through the route. They are not very dangerous but you always have to be calm and cautious when riding as you might not be familiar with these sudden ascending terrains in the northwest area of Vietnam.

After passing the slopes, you will arrive at Cao Phong – a lovely town in Hoa Binh province that is famous nationwide for its distinctive local oranges. More interestingly, if you travel during the production season, these orange gardens will be even more beautiful with their ripe fruit and a pleasant citrus smell. Be more careful on this track because there are often police stationed here to check on your speed and motorbike papers.

Now, lying ahead of you are Muong Khen, Tan Lac, and Thung Khe pass, which are all considered to comprise one of the most spectacular loops in Vietnam. They act as boundaries between craggy mountain ranges and the vast abyss. You’ll enter a picturesque scene made of dense green forest, lovely stilt houses of the ethnic people, and a gentle touch from the foaming clouds above. It’s very likely that there’ll be fog in this area during the winter so ride more carefully and pay attention to the roads to avoid getting lost. Midway down the pass, there are many small local markets selling wild orchid flowers in various colors and the iconic snack in this region – steamed corn. Situated by the foot of Thung Khe pass is Mai Chau valley which is an extremely photogenic scene. You can also take a short break here to recharge your energy for the remaining route. After that, you’ll meet another track that has a regular police control point – Long Luong village. Continue for 20 kilometers, and Moc Chau is right in front of you.

When to Go: Hanoi – Moc Chau Route

The landscape on the way to Moc Chau has seasonal beauty, so you can visit at any time of the year. Pick your most favorite scene, pack your bags, and you’re ready to go! There are several distinct seasons.

From October to February is the season of mustard green flowers and wild sunflower with strong yellow color. Before and during Tet holiday in Vietnam, there’ll be peach blossoms and plum flowers blooming all over the place. They will magnificently cover Moc Chau in white just like a snow covered mountain.

Moving on to March, you can experience a pink flower theme with camel’s foot tree flower, or simply hoa ban in Vietnamese. There’s even a song written and performed by one of our famous rock bands about this beautiful flower.

Plants will produce fruit from April to August in relatively cool weather, which is a perfect occasion to escape the scorching heat from Hanoi. This season doesn’t yield too many flowers but you can still see a marvelous scene of peach and plum fruit everywhere.

Hanoi – Ta Xua

Explore Unspoiled Nature at this Destination 

Ta Xua commune belongs to Bac Yen town, Son La province and borders Yen Bai province. It is home to the tenth highest mountain in Vietnam with surprisingly delightful weather and unique cloudy scenery. This place is becoming more and more popular for many tourists in Northwest Vietnam, especially young and adventurous motorbikers. “Cloud hunting” is a term that is often associated with Ta Xua traveling as its cloud clusters are so mesmerizing and worth discovering once in your life. 220 kilometers away from Hanoi and 100 kilometers from Moc Chau, Ta Xua is quite an easy route so beginner motorbike travelers can also try this track. Here’s where it leads: Hanoi – Son Tay – Trung Ha Bridge – Thu Cuc – Thu Cuc Intersection – National Route 32 – turn left toward Phu Yen direction – Bac Yen towards National Route 37.

It usually takes six to seven hours to ride if you start in the Hanoi center, which already includes a lunch break on the way. Like Hanoi – Moc Chau, Hanoi – Bac Yen is fully packed with splendid mountainous roads and gorgeous natural scenery. If you start your trip in the early morning, you’ll have a chance to watch sparkling sunshine through multiple layers of clouds, which lights up the whole forest underneath. The way from Bac Yen to Ta Xua center is only 15 kilometers but it’s more challenging. There’ll be more dangerous slopes and rugged terrain, with thick fog and clouds blocking your vision so remember to be cautious when riding. If you don’t feel comfortable traveling this route by yourself, take a short rest in Bac Yen and hire a motorbike taxi to Ta Xua.

Ta Xua is an underdeveloped commune without any heavy tourism exploitation so it still retains a precious untouched beauty. This is an ideal destination for those who want an authentic cultural immersion with the tribal villagers in pristine scenery that is very difficult to find in other cities.

When to Go and Where to Go: Hanoi – Ta Xua

According to experienced travelers, the best time to discover Ta Xua is from November to March. Clouds during these times are more beautiful than ever, with several impressive moments of transformation and then they drift away. Save the date to enjoy the greatest version of this cloud paradise!

There are many ideal cloud hunting spots, one of which is the valley in front of O Ngong hostel. Next, visit Wind Mount – Dinh Gio, and the Lonely Pome Tree (Cay Tao Meo Co Don), which are absolutely amazing Instagram spots. How to reach it: from the commune center, turn left towards Xim Vang direction and travel for about one kilometer and you’re there.

After taking some pictures, you can go to the Dinosaur Backbone – Song lung khung long in Hang Dong, which is six kilometers away from the center. It’s a small path created by the division between two wavy hillsides. Walking up to the top of this “dinosaur” with breathtaking views stretching as far as your eyes can reach will definitely give you a sensational experience. Adding to this wonder are rice terraced fields scattered below.

Saigon – Phan Thiet 

General Route Options 

Phan Thiet is situated in Binh Thuan province, 183 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City to the southeast. There are three routes from Saigon to Phan Thiet, but the easiest way is to follow National Route 1A. This option is just a straight route from start to finish. However, traffic throughout National Route 1A is quite heavy with a lot of container and other transportation trucks so it’s not very clean and there won’t be any magnificent natural scenes for you to enjoy. Many motorbikers therefore choose not to ride this route.

The second option is through the forest and passes towards National Route 20 and 55. This track is nice with many planting zones along the way such as rubber forests, dragon fruit gardens, and rice fields. However, it’s quite dangerous and difficult to ride due to rough terrain and a lack of residents. If you go for this challenge, you should start the trip early and travel in groups as it can be tricky at night.

Detailed Route for the Best Option

I have to say National Route 51 is the favorite drive of motorbike travelers from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet because it runs along the seaside! You can travel from Cat Lai ferry port to Long Thanh then arrive at Ba Ria town to shorten the route by 25-30 kilometers instead of riding National Route 1A – Vung Tau Intersection – National Route 51. When reaching Ba Ria and onward, you will ride along the beautiful coastline with the pleasant stroke of the sea breeze. After Ba Ria town, you will notice a big roundabout, and you’ll have to take the road to Ho Tram through Loc An. There are clear signs at this roundabout, so don’t worry if you can’t find the right way. Also remember that Loc An is the last checkpoint in which you can refuel your motorbikes as the next gas station is more than 60 kilometers away from here.

From Loc An, you’ll travel on a great route with pristine natural scenes, but remember to keep your eyes on the road because sometimes it has several narrow turns. This is also a frequent spot for traffic police. Ride a little bit farther and you will pass by Binh Chau hot spring resort. If you need a quality break, this is the place. Rest your feet in the soothing stream, have some simple snacks such as boiled eggs, and you’re good to go. There’s also another spot worth stopping by, Binh Chau National Park, which is only six kilometers away and very interesting to visit.

Move on and you’ll arrive at Lagi town and meet a big roundabout. From there, go straight to Mom Da Chim Resort. When you are at the first intersection, turn right onto a small iron bridge. Continue on that road for about 20 kilometers and you’ll see a sign showing the way to Phan Thiet through Ta Cu mountain.

If you arrive at Ke Ga lighthouse, you’ll know that Phan Thiet city is around 30 kilometers away. From this point onward, the track is absolutely stunning and will literally take your breath away. The surrounding scenes are spectacular mountain cliffs on one side and extremely blue ocean with sandy beaches on the other side. Besides Phan Thiet, Vietnam also has many other coastal roads in other cities. When you reach the end of this route, turn right at a triple-cross and Phan Thiet city is there on Tran Hung Dao street.

When to Go: Saigon – Phan Thiet

Before starting your trip, make sure to check forplaces to buy or rent motorbikes in Saigon if you don’t already have one. Phan Thiet city has relatively comfortable weather so you can actually plan your trip here almost any time in the year. However, it’s advisable that you avoid traveling here during April and May as this is the hottest period in the city. Or in July and August, because there’ll be red tide during these times so you can’t swim in some spots.

Source: guide.cmego.com

Cruise the Most Beautiful Motorbike Passes Across Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Cà phê vợt means “stocking coffee,” a direct reference to a cloth filter the family uses to strain coffee ground.

This method is popular among stalls operated by those of Chinese descent in old Saigon, before French-style filters – or phin in Vietnamese – started dominating the market.

Here are 3 Café Vợt that have existed for more than half a century to attract visitors, do not miss it!

1.Cheo Leo Cafe is located at 109/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Ward 2, District 3

Hidden in the heart of District 3’s “chessboard” neighborhood – a network of intersecting alleys that can easily bewilder first-timers in town – Cheo Leo Café is more than just a street coffee shop: it’s a Saigon landmark, a family heirloom and a cultural hangout all rolled into one simple shopfront.

Photo: nguyenmx13

Over the past eight decades, Cheo Leo has gained a reputation among Saigon’s coffee lovers for its sole focus on coffee flavor sans embellishment.

For the three sisters, running Cheo Leo is less about making a profit and more about keeping their father’s legacy going; the fame they’ve gotten over the years is just a nice bonus.

Photo: linhmel

Photo: thuongngo2211

2. Café vợt of Mr Thanh is located at Alley 313 Tan Phuoc, Ward 6, District 11 

Photo: hanhienj

Located behind Thiec Market in District 11 (HCMC), although Mr Thanh’s small cafe on Tan Phuoc Street has no signboard, it’s still well-known. Just like making tea, the hand-crafted coffee-making process is to put the coffee powder in a cloth filter in a clay cooking pot, and then pour some boiling water into it. A few minutes later the coffee is poured into the warm aluminum, placed on the stove before serving guests. Each hot black coffee costs VND 4,000 and hot milk coffee is VND 6,000.

Photo: Thi Hà

Photo: Thi Hà

Photo: huanlephotography

Photo: su.candyy

3. Café vợt in 330/2 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Phu Nhuan District.

The café, owned by Dan Trang Con (Mr. Ba) and his wife Tuyet, has been open for the past 60 years and shows no signs of stopping. We found Ms. Tuyet busily brewing up coffee for the dozen or so customers on their mopeds waiting for their morning takeaway, drowning herself in cup after cup a black coffee with sugar.

Photo: kellankhuu

Photo: vosan___

No hustle or bustle, visitors coming here just want to enjoy the taste of old coffee and in that space, it reminds of the image of an old, simple, rustic Saigon in the minds of each person.  Each glass is 15,000 VND and only cash is accepted.

3 Café Vợt over half century in Sai Gon
Nguyen Thanh Van