Saigon
It isn’t too often that I will hit multiple cities in an international trip but I will be doing so on this particular trip. In some ways, it reminds me of my trip in 2008 but a much shorter timeframe. Headed to Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City on United Airlines. Direct flights to Saigon are not possible from the States. One usually has to layover somewhere before getting into the country. On this trip, I had to do two stops (SFO and Hong Kong) before getting into the city. Funny thing, United gave me complimentary upgrade on the two short segments so I opted to use points and cash to upgrade the transpacific flight to pass the time comfortably.
The planes were the Boeing 747-400 which is a double decker airplane. On the way over, I was on the main deck. On the return, I was sitting in the upper deck. I would say that it isn’t as convenient as staying in the main deck because of smaller overhead storage and luggage stuff up and down stairs. For those on a window seat in the upper deck, there is a side storage compartment that is quite large, enough to fit a thin suiter luggage. A couple of months ago I mentioned how SFO has made it harder to go from international to domestic terminals. They seem to have figured out a better way to get between the two terminals now.
In Hong Kong International Airport United gate, I think United is trying to coral the Chinese folk to Western queues. Typically, they just yell out the section to sit but the gate here had lines for each section. Also, the gate agents would keep trolling the lines to make sure people were supposed to be in the right spot. Although the number of man power needed far eclipses what any domestic carrier would have on hand at domestic terminals so this must be a location specific demand. And everyone knows Asian people don’t understand queues. :)
Landed in Tan Son Nhat International Airport meeting up with family outside customs. The interesting thing about Vietnam customs is they don't require any paperwork. I can't recall if this is a new procedure but all you show is the visa and that's it. I am not familiar with the city enough to know where my family lives within the city but I do know that it is on the outskirts of the city center. I did debate about checking into an American chain hotel in Saigon but the rates were too rich for my blood. I know the prices are high because of foreign businesses but sometimes I feel that it is way too much given the standard of living in Vietnam. Since I was in the city for only a few days, I stayed with my grandmother. In the past year, we constructed a house for her and I had been told it is nice. Time to check out what modern Vietnamese construction has to offer. I was also a mule to bring over things for her, so I was able to serve a dual purpose on this trip. My uncles designed and constructed the house and incorporated as much of American styles into the house as possible such as every bedroom had its own bathroom and the kitchen was ginormous. My grandmother uses the pantry as a “cooking kitchen” and the large kitchen is only for show... LOL
Spent the day putting around on the back of my uncle’s scooter in Saigon. Headed out early and had breakfast with another uncle and his wife. I’ve met everyone but the uncle last time I was in Saigon so it was good to meet him on this trip. Quiet man, so not much of an opinion. Afterwards, wandered over to Lotte Mart which looks like a Wal-Mart/K-Mart and is a chain from Korea. Big box retailer, the underground parking was interesting. They take pictures of the license plates and gave each person a credit card parking ticket. It seems driving out with a different vehicle is common practice here...and security ensures every person leaving leaves with the vehicle they came in.
Parted ways with the couple and had coffee with my cousin’s wife at Windows. The problem with travelling with family is I never know where I really am. They were married over the summer but I didn’t have a chance to go to the wedding. Since I won’t actually meet her in the States as they are living apart until the visa paperwork is done, I opted to meet the wife while I’m in town.
Afterwards, went out to eat at Nam Giaio on 136/15 D Le Thanh Ton, Dong Khoi Area, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I've eaten here before with my mom, there are a couple of dishes she likes here. It is a hole in the wall kind of place, the scooter parking lot is next to people on plastic stools and tables eating outside. Near the Ben Thanh market, it is just one of those hole in the wall kind of place. I am glad I do not have to navigate these tight quarters myself on the scooter. I had taken pictures with my iPhone but it seems to have lost itself somewhere...stupid Apple product.
The next day, I mostly stayed in due to the rains from the typhoon in the area. Spent the day catching up on homework, football, and homemade lunch before heading out to the airport to catch my flight to Singapore.
The planes were the Boeing 747-400 which is a double decker airplane. On the way over, I was on the main deck. On the return, I was sitting in the upper deck. I would say that it isn’t as convenient as staying in the main deck because of smaller overhead storage and luggage stuff up and down stairs. For those on a window seat in the upper deck, there is a side storage compartment that is quite large, enough to fit a thin suiter luggage. A couple of months ago I mentioned how SFO has made it harder to go from international to domestic terminals. They seem to have figured out a better way to get between the two terminals now.
In Hong Kong International Airport United gate, I think United is trying to coral the Chinese folk to Western queues. Typically, they just yell out the section to sit but the gate here had lines for each section. Also, the gate agents would keep trolling the lines to make sure people were supposed to be in the right spot. Although the number of man power needed far eclipses what any domestic carrier would have on hand at domestic terminals so this must be a location specific demand. And everyone knows Asian people don’t understand queues. :)
Landed in Tan Son Nhat International Airport meeting up with family outside customs. The interesting thing about Vietnam customs is they don't require any paperwork. I can't recall if this is a new procedure but all you show is the visa and that's it. I am not familiar with the city enough to know where my family lives within the city but I do know that it is on the outskirts of the city center. I did debate about checking into an American chain hotel in Saigon but the rates were too rich for my blood. I know the prices are high because of foreign businesses but sometimes I feel that it is way too much given the standard of living in Vietnam. Since I was in the city for only a few days, I stayed with my grandmother. In the past year, we constructed a house for her and I had been told it is nice. Time to check out what modern Vietnamese construction has to offer. I was also a mule to bring over things for her, so I was able to serve a dual purpose on this trip. My uncles designed and constructed the house and incorporated as much of American styles into the house as possible such as every bedroom had its own bathroom and the kitchen was ginormous. My grandmother uses the pantry as a “cooking kitchen” and the large kitchen is only for show... LOL
Spent the day putting around on the back of my uncle’s scooter in Saigon. Headed out early and had breakfast with another uncle and his wife. I’ve met everyone but the uncle last time I was in Saigon so it was good to meet him on this trip. Quiet man, so not much of an opinion. Afterwards, wandered over to Lotte Mart which looks like a Wal-Mart/K-Mart and is a chain from Korea. Big box retailer, the underground parking was interesting. They take pictures of the license plates and gave each person a credit card parking ticket. It seems driving out with a different vehicle is common practice here...and security ensures every person leaving leaves with the vehicle they came in.
Parted ways with the couple and had coffee with my cousin’s wife at Windows. The problem with travelling with family is I never know where I really am. They were married over the summer but I didn’t have a chance to go to the wedding. Since I won’t actually meet her in the States as they are living apart until the visa paperwork is done, I opted to meet the wife while I’m in town.
Afterwards, went out to eat at Nam Giaio on 136/15 D Le Thanh Ton, Dong Khoi Area, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I've eaten here before with my mom, there are a couple of dishes she likes here. It is a hole in the wall kind of place, the scooter parking lot is next to people on plastic stools and tables eating outside. Near the Ben Thanh market, it is just one of those hole in the wall kind of place. I am glad I do not have to navigate these tight quarters myself on the scooter. I had taken pictures with my iPhone but it seems to have lost itself somewhere...stupid Apple product.
The next day, I mostly stayed in due to the rains from the typhoon in the area. Spent the day catching up on homework, football, and homemade lunch before heading out to the airport to catch my flight to Singapore.
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