Ho Chi Minh: Behind the Sound of Pollution

Taking your first step into another country will always leave you in awe. Vietnam, however, has left me with an entirely different level of amazement.

In short, Vietnam was jaw-dropping, eye-opening, mind-blowing, heart-pumping, and every other bodily-related adjectives I could think of. Despite being an Asian, Vietnam, a country only 2,659.7 kilometers away, has made me realised that I was mistaken about everything I thought I knew about Asia.

Read also: 20 Vietnamese Food to Try

Ho Chi Minh: Behind the Sound of Pollution

Prior to this trip, I have read about the experiences of other bloggers just so I know what to expect when I am there. It was surprising to come across a few blog posts entitled 'Giving Vietnam Another Chance', and there were just too many negative remarks about the country that I was scheduled to fly to in less than a week's time. In order to make sure that I was able to embrace Vietnam wholeheartedly, I reassured myself that these bloggers were merely unaccustomed to the Asian way of living, in light of where they are coming from (mostly Americans).

So with an eager (and slightly anxious) heart, I have stepped foot in Vietnam for the first time!

saigon city aerial
Saigon city from above
ho chi minh city
Ho Chi Minh, the communist revolutionary leader of Vietnam
flag of vietnam
Ho Chi Minh city

Vietnam is... different.
While the infrastructures of the buildings reminded me so much of my hometown Kluang, the people, however, behave in ways which are evidently different from us. 

street food in ho chi minh
Street vendor at Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese People are Hardworking

Remember that kid next door who would rather stay at home all day and remain unemployed just because he wasn't able to land his dream job? Or that girl you know from college who whined for hours on end about having to work more than what is supposedly required of her?

Vietnamese will make you feel so ashamed about your sloth and complacency. It could be selling masks by the streets, brewing coffee and tea for businessmen, or selling fruits at the back alleys of the temples - Vietnamese find contentment in making a living, however arduous they may seem to be.

markets in ho chi minh
Morning market at Ho Chi Minh
People's Committee Building Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
People's Committee Building Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
Unmistakable French influence in the architecture of some of the most prominent local landmarks (due to the French colonialism in the late 1880s)
ho chi minh attractions
Who needs to fly to Paris for a wedding photoshoot when you can have it done right here in the city of Ho Chi Minh?
streets of ho chi minh
Streets of Ho Chi Minh
motorcycles in ho chi minh
Motorcycles. Motorcycles. More motorcycles.

Highest Motorbike Ownership in the World

Saying "there are a crazy amount of motorcyclists on the streets" will not be able to justify the incalculable number of motorcycles surging through the already complex road system in Vietnam. The city comes alive with the sight of streams after streams of motorcycles, the collective buzzing sounds from their engines, and the smell of burning fuel in the air.

If you do not see motorcycles on the roads, you're probably not in Ho Chi Minh.

I figured the only way you could see for yourself how crazy the traffic really is would be to show you a video (which will be uploaded soon).

NEVER ATTEMPT TO CROSS A STREET WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF A LOCAL. NEVER. 

Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is a must-see when visiting Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market
Bustling Ben Thanh Market
popular markets in ho chi minh
Local tea selections at Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh
Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh
You want it? They have it! (Head on to Ben Thanh Market for a selection of.... everything)
night attractions in ho chi minh vietnam
View from where I was sitting during a dinner cruise (the experience was an amazing!)
vietnamese currency
Language barrier and having to figure out the exact amount to pay without getting confused (too many zeros!) are probably the only problems encountered during the trip.


This is only the introduction of the trip. There are just too many pictures and experiences to share and they are impossible to be summarized in just one blog post. Stay tuned for more!

Don't forget to share your travel & dining moments with us on Instagram by tagging @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace. Happy travelling!

Comments

  1. Many Many Thanks for nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for your kind information. I think it is helpful for every one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for your useful information. It really helpful for every tourist travel to Vietnam

    ReplyDelete
  4. Look you have a great trip and many experience in Vietnam.

    ReplyDelete

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