After dinner, we decided to walk around the district near
our hotel, to look for the famous bar “Apocalypse Now”.
We found it in a quaint place, half-empty on a
Wednesday night. Caucasians were the predominant
guests, but the Miami Sound Machine music being played
was so outdated. For that, we had to pass and decided
to get a drink at Rex Hotel’s rooftop bar.
A rainshower however, prevented us from leaving the
bar. Our guide told us earlier a storm was passing
Vietnam, so rains were imminent throughout the day. We
just hoped our tour the following day won’t be rained out.
A wedding, a concert, and BBQ rat
We had an official luncheon with
Vietnam’s Department of Tourism
at Caravelle Hotel, where US
president Bill Clinton stayed
during his visit in the country.
By mid-afternoon, another set of
rainshowers prevented us from
going out for a leisurely walk.
When it stopped, it was time to
proceed to Saigon River for a
boat ride to Binh Quoi Tourist
Village.
At Binh Quoi, we were welcomed
by young Vietnamese riding small
boats, chanting and shouting
welcome songs for our entourage.
A thanksgiving ceremony was held for us to witness.
Dragon dancers, and Vietnamese folk performed a
customary ritual for giving thanks for their harvest.
After that we were brought to Binh Quoi Resort II, to
witness a dramatization of a traditional southern-style
wedding. In olden times, the bride is said to “cross to the
other side” which means she will live with her husband’s
family. This is symbolized by riding a boat to the other
side of the river, preceded by smaller boats carrying
offerings of fruits and vegetables.
The Binh Quoi Resort was specially designed to
accommodate the foreign delegation. Several booths
were installed around the area, offering different
authentic Vietnamese food and drinks such as spring
rolls, noodles with duck meat, and even barbecued farm
rats. For exotic drinks, there was “Van Anh” or wine
fermented with dead snakes.
The climax of the evening was a cultural concert, where
local performers delighted the crowd with traditional
songs, dances, and other acts.
Buffet dinner was served at 8 p.m. It was a banquet of
grilled pork, fish, and steamed vegetables, and other
treats. For us Pinoys, it was a Barrio Fiesta,
Vietnamese-style.
Before going back to Rex Hotel,
we decided to look around the
nearby shops near Ho Chi Minh
Park. It was around 10 p.m., but
the streets were still filled with
the biking public.
Our guide Anna told us earlier
the streets of Ho Chi Minh are
safe even at night, so tourists
can shop at leisure. Besides,
shopping hours are flexible, with
some stalls opening in the
afternoon and closing before
dawn, and some opening in the
morning and closing late at
night.
We were only beginning to enjoy Ho Chi Minh when we
had to fly off to other Vietnamese provinces the following
morning. The impression the city and its people gave us,
however, was more than enough. For us, the former
Saigon which used to be cloaked in its cloud of mystery,
deserves to share its beauty with the world. Maybe
someday, we can go back to see more of the city —
granted it’s on a summer month.
(Vietnam Airlines flies from Manila to Ho Chi Minh thrice a
week. For inquiries on tour packages, call COLTRANS at
833-2551.)
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