Here is our itinerary:
Day 1: Saigon
We reached at night. Checked in, went to buy tickets for local tours, went to night market to buy some fake under armor shirts and elephant pants. Walked along the river. We had a shock about crossing the road without traffic lights. And we learnt the tip is to just walk at a regular pace. And cars and motorbikes will avoid you. They have so many motorbike riders there, they even have grab motorbike, super cool haha. Masssage at Ton That Thiep was really good, but must remember the number of the staff that you enjoyed the massage from: some are gentle, some press really hard till you’re sore (depends on your personal preference). I love the fruit juices there: cheap and good!! For dinner, we had cheap Pho from a roadside stall.
Day 2: Saigon
We had a long day today! Cu Chi tunnels in the morning. It was a long bus ride away from Saigon so we took a chartered bus and joined the tour group. The guide explained the history of the tunnels, what each “trap” was for, and the purpose of each infrastructure.
Seemingly harmless lump of soil is actually a part of the tunnel, where Vietnamese soldiers can eavesdrop on intel outside but people cannot see in. We also ate from roadside stall. It’s my first time eating beside the oncoming traffic. And it was yummy!
Tip: bring mosquito repellent!
We could also see the Mekong River from the entrance of the Cu Chi tunnel attraction.
This was us after we crawled through the tunnels. They were super squeezy and my thighs ached so much after it. YF had a harder time because he was broader and taller.
Then we went to Dam Sen theme park! Cost: S$8. We didn’t have to queue up at all, because it was a weekday. The slides were just like any water park.
Tip: Get there via an Uber!
Day 3: Saigon->Mui Ne
Took a bus ride to Mui Ne today! After we reached and checked in, the room was spacious and had an amazing view. Lying down in bed with the glass doors at our feet we can see the sky and the stars! Chilled at the beach in the day and night, too bad we couldn’t see stars and the water was not very blue and clean. But many people parasailed and we had fun finding crabs and chasing waves.
Cost for room: S$20.
Day 4: Mui Ne
We woke up super duper early (4am) for the sand dunes, fishing village and fairy streams tour. Booked from the hotel, Mui Ne Hills Budget Hotel. We also ate from a local street stall. The noodles had peanut and was spicy yet sweet, really unique! And we don’t know what it’s called, so it kinda feels super authentic eating with the locals.
Tip: Wear slippers or sandals, because you have to take them off as you walk the fairy streams. Bring tissue if you would like to clean your feet after the sand dunes, but the water at the fairy streams, final stop, usually cleans it off well.
Day 5: Mui Ne -> Saigon
Explored the city by foot today! We saw the old post office, the cathedral (which had service when we went). We did not enter the museums though! At night, we entered the night markets for some last minute shopping and drinks. Then massage again before calling it a night.
Day 6: Home!
Over the course of less than a week, I felt YF and I grew closer, especially since we are still in the honeymoon phase of our relationship. We knew about each others’ personalities and habits through this trip and it was so fun that we booked the flight for our next!!!~
PS. Do check out the Youtube video of our trip!!
