Ho Chi Minh City < 24 hours

Vietnam is a country, border to Cambodia. So my visit to Cambodia (Siem Reap and Phnom Pehn), I included a short visit to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. As it is very convenient to travel from Phnom Pehn to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM city) with bus. I traveled with Mekong Express, as i had bought the ticket on my first day arrival to their Phnom Pehn office. Their service especially on passing through customs and all was great and hassle-free. Host on bus was very helpful.

The distance is 236 km (according to Google Map) from Phnom Pehn to HCM city.. Bus ride took around 7 hours for us to arrive at HCM city center.

My Bus from Phnom Pehn leaves around 830am, i reached my hotel (Saigon Sports 3) in HCM city around 4pm. I had a whole evening and night and the return bus was 2pm the next day. (Counted and realised only had 22 hours in HCM city).

Ho Chi Minh city- a.k.a Saigon

Our first stop of HCM city was the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. Our hotel is located at District 1, its walking distance (around 30 minutes) to the cathedral as well as the famous Saigon (Former name of Ho Chi Minh) Post Office which is just next to the cathedral. It was a enjoyable walk. We walked past beautiful residential buildings that still pertain the unique beauty of French Colonization in the architecture. The only problem we had at the beginning was to cross the road with overwhelming heavy traffic. At first, it was so hard for us to even move a step. We had to follow behind the locals, just to cross a street to the park on the opposite. After a few crosses, we had gradually learnt to ignore/admire the continuous car and motorbike horns. Once you managed to cross a road, you gained confidence. Soon, without us realising, we were crossing roads without the locals as our guiding lights, and we walked on the street so casual till you may thought we have been there for long. As a matter of fact, we were only there for less than 3 hours, and we have mastered the skill of road crossing under the criss cross traffic of HCM city.

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Saigon Post Office

Inside of  Saigon Post Office

Saigon Post Office, at night. Note: Post office closed at 6pm sharp.

For memory, i posted a postcard (bought from an aunty selling outside of the post office as the gift shop closed) at Saigon Post Office, with a 10500 Vienamese Dong (VND). It was all very spur of the moment thingy. The postcard arrived at India after 2 weeks. :)

P/S: We met a Taxi Driver who claimed that drive metered taxi, that 5 mins of ride took me 17 USD as the meter change like in blinking eyes. Beware of this type of metered taxi. The other thing good to know before arriving HCM city is, some shops are fine with taking USD, but still there were plenty of shops there receive only Vietnamese Dong. We made a mistake of not changing any VND before we depart from Malaysia. Though this may seems very inconvenience, but there is nothing to worry, lots of money changer with reasonable rate are there around the corner in District 1. 

Sunset at Bakheng Hill, Siem Reap

Two of the nature beauties of Siem Reap, are the sunrise and sunset. I did not manage to go to Angkor for sunrise, so decided shall at least experience the sunset, Siem Reap style. 20 minutes of hiking along with others that attracted by the fame of the sunset and we reached the top of the Bakheng hill. Everyone was walking in fast pace so that can reach faster, and get a proper place for sunset, as well as for photos. Note that, tripod is not allowed to be used on Bakheng Hill. So there is no need to bring it along. Around 6pm, It was already crowded. We got a nice spot, sat down and started the long, hot, sunny waiting. The sky was with clouds, so were expecting some nice hue.

Sunset at Bakheng hill is not the type where you get to see the sun sets down to the horizon. Its blocked by trees and all but somehow reflecting its one-of-a-kind beauty.

The crowd, the nature lover and the photography lover, hiked for 20 minutes, and waiting for the nice orange-red sun ray to be softly screened on the face. 

The sun, about to hide behind the green lushes.

Before hiding, it shows tremendous bright of ray, leaving the sky beautifully painted by its hue.

The lights, reflected nicely on clouds, giving us the lovely hue than ever. So calming, so inviting.

Angkor Archaeological Park

The Major attraction of Siem Reap city is the Angkor Archaeological Park. The entrance fee is 20 USD for one day pass, 40 USD for 3 days pass, and 60 USD for 7 days pass. This is a place, which the glory of Angkor Empire is indulgently shown.

South Gate of entering Angkor Archaeological Park

Bayon Temple, with the sculpture of the "Smile of Khmer" facing all directions. Beautifully and calmly reflected on a pool of water, a gift of monsoon season.

Famous of its beauty, temples in rain forest, as well as its fame from the movie, Tomb Raider. A cluster of temples that Lara Croft adventured. Lush from the mosses showed life to these ancient ruins.

Angkor Wat, the celebrity of the park.

South Gate, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat. To me, these are the most representative icons of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Each reflecting its unique sense of beauty and serenity. When visit to Siem Reap Angkor Archaeological Park, one must not miss these unspeakable beauty of its own.