Ho Chi Min Slapstick Weekend-Trip (Day 1)
Last weekend, I went to Ho Chi Min, Vietnam to renew my Cambodian Visa. I’m going to write my 2 day trip detail in 2 article, this one ane next one. This post will tell you first day.
About this trip I had already posted a Japanese article in NyoNyum WEB as the Intern-daily, the link is shown below.
A Hotel Bus to Ho Chi Min from Phnom Penh
This trip was arranged as 2 days trip, go on Friday night and return on Sunday afternoon.
Before departure at night of Friday, I went a Japanese pub with my superior, then I pack cloths into my backpack.
My hotel bus looked so old hand.
I had booked a seat of this bus, but attendant showed to another seat.
This is a seat of the hotel bus. There are around 25 seats in upper and lower.
I already knew that the bed will be shared between 2, so I didn’t surprise.
Lunch and Urinate
Bus reached the destination Ho Chi Min at 11:30 am. originally it was planned to arrive at 9:30. While this 2 hour I really want to take a urine, but there was no toilet in bus and bus is stacking up. That was hard and I was patient.
The bus finally stopped at the bus station, I rushed to the Texas Chicken for toilet.
I planned to exchange dollar for Vietnam Dong, go to massage spa and have lunch at famous pho restaurant after arrived at 9, but ALL became Chicken.
Massage spa
I went miu miu spa 4. It’s located near the Bitexco Financial Tower so easy to go on foot, and I walked from the Chicken shop.
Bitexco Financial Tower has interesting appearance. The middle projection is helipad and observation deck at floor 49, around 178m. I didn’t up there, but you can go there for 20 dollars.
Let’s back to the spa. This spa seems famous in Japan. I found several Japanese and menu was written in Japanese and English. The outside sign also has Japanese.
I tried 70 minutes foot massage by the male therapist. Actually, there was no choice of therapist and course, since I didn’t make any reservation.
I couldn’t take any pictures inside of the spa, but you can see some picture in home page of the spa from HERE.
After the therapy I feel good, but while therapy I couldn’t help laughing, because it tickled.
Grab Bike Taxi
I used Grab (Taxi app same as Uber) in Ho Chi Min.
In Cambodia mostly “Grab” means 3 wheels small car taxi called Tuk-Tuk or Remork. On the other hand in Ho Chi Min it means bike taxi.
All Grab bike taxi drivers wear this green helmet. I thought this helmet is cool and tried to buy, but I couldn’t find at market.
I was surprised that everybody wear helmet even passengers. Drivers are bringing helmet for passenger and have passenger use it.
Diner at Cuc Gach Quan
In the pub at Friday night I heard from my superior that Ho Chi Min has really nice Vietnamese cuisine restaurant named Cuc Gach Quan.
The restaurant is located north of the city. It’s little far to walk, but using Grab is only 1.5 USD from central area.
The appearance of the restaurant likes an old house. At night it will be difficult to find, since there was not enough light. And this restaurant has another building on opposite side of the road. It means two building facing each other across the road.
I ordered two dishes, “Banana flower salad with steamed chicken” and “Fried spring roll”
It was first time to eat banana flower. The flower tastes slightly sweet and perfume was nice, but almost tasteless. The sour dressing and chicken were nice.
This two dishes and one drink totaled around 15 USD.
Oops！Same name but Wrong place
There is another Vietnamese cuisine restaurant calles “Cuc Gach Quan Café” near “Cuc Gach Quan”. The both names are similar, but seems different.
I think I made wrong when I put a pin to my destination in Grab apps and I arrived this café.
But I could prevent me to go wrong one, because I knew that there are two restaurant building facing each other and the café was facing a clothing shop.
I don’t know whether there is any relationship between these two restaurants or not.
Route of My Trip (Day1)
I made a google my map. Please track me!
Thank you for reading
Next article I’m going to write another half of my trip.
