Planning my next adventure: Ho Chi Minh, VN

I am excited! I've set my mind that I will be in Ho Chi Minh some time October or November of this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my VLs will be approved. Initially, I was planning a Vietnam-Cambodia itinerary. As tempting as it is, I changed my mind. I can only be away for a few days, baka mabitin lang ako. I don't want to be on the hit list at work, lol. Besides, going back to serious work mode after a vacation can be really challenging. Agree?

No one likes to go to VN with me, but I'm going anyways :)
My friends prefer to go to a different country because they feel that VN is a lot like PH ( to which I don't agree with and I hope no one gets mad ) while P has reservations about this trip. I told P a few weeks ago that my Ho Chi Minh worksheet is already finished and he was like, "What the??" So, best AND worst case scenario(s), I'm going to Ho Chi Minh, VN alone.Ü Am I scared? Hello no. I don't see any reason to feel that way.

I've been spending a lot of time in TripAdvisor, exchanging messages with other travelers, and learning so much about this beautiful country. There's not much horror stories and matter of fact, #7 of Top Reasons Why Vietnam Should Be Your Next Destination says, "Vietnam is now one of the safest countries in the world. There are no fears for long term strikes, protests, terrorism, guerilla attacks, bombings, kidnaps or killings that affect your holiday."

Vietnam's floating markets stand out for me. I've come across few here in the Philippines. Well, that's if you'll consider the few vendors who'd sell you water and fresh coconut when in Boracay whilst island hopping a floating market, then that's the closest experience I must have had. Vietnam's floating market is an experience that I will definitely not miss. • Image Source: www.mekong-delta.org



If I want Pho here in PH, the only restaurant that I can go to is Pho Hoa. I don't like the other fancy pho restaurants. My Mom and I used to go to this house in Greenheights that's owned by a Filipino who married this very nice Vietnamese lady. This is where I first had a taste of Vietnam. The wife cooked these delicious VN dishes that I couldn't find in any of the Vietnamese restaurants here. Sadly, their business has been closed for years now because they migrated to the US. I can't wait to try authentic Vietnamese food. I'm sure it will be one of the most awesome gastro-adventures I'll have. • Image Source: The City Lane



Those of you who have been visiting blog know that I have this fascination for anything colonial and Vietnam seems to be just the right place for me. France ruled over Vietnam in the mid-1800s and a lot of the buildings in Ho Chi Minh have much of this period ingrained in them. A friend of mine who's based in VN now tells me that I should get ready to take a lot of photos. • Image Source: The Road To Anywhere



They say you can't leave Vietnam without watching a water puppet show because this is an age-old tradition that the Vietnamese do to ward off spirits so they don't do anything mischievous. This is definitely in my list of things to do when I go to VN. • Image Source: Peter Pham



BBC said that Vietnam is now the second largest exporter ( and producer ) of coffee in the world. Interestingly, while doing my research, I learned it was the French who brought coffee to Vietnam in the 1800s. The coffee-lover in me did a somersault when I read this and boy do I look forward to my mornings in Vietnam. • Image Source: www.thefoodpot.wordpress.com

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And these are my top 5 reasons why I want to fly to Vietnam. Whether my friends or P goes with me or if I end up doing this alone, I know that I will have a blast. I lost count of the times that I've been putting this off because someone didn't want me to do it ( not good, I know ) and now that I have all the freedom and time in the world, I see it happening super soon.

See you in October, Vietnam! ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Good Vibes. RUSS.