Southern Vietnam - Day 6

Flying from Dalat to HCM takes about 45 minutes. After depositing our bags, we take a bus to the city (apart from its cheaper is also to avoid the overcharged taxi - Lesson learned).

Our first stop is at Ho Chi Minh City Hall and the statue of Bac Ho

We plan to just take a look at some of the famous places and shop some souvenir at the market before heading back to the airport in the afternoon. But I end up spend all my money at this shop (borrow some from my brother) – the embroidery shop.

Municipal Theatre

Wanna buy some LV in Vietnam???



One of the historic hotels – Rex Hotel which was home to US Army officers throughout the American War and was even attacked by the Viet Cong at one stage.

Notre-Dame Cathedral :
Built between 1877 and 1883, Notre Dame Cathedral is set in the heart of HCMC's government quarter. The cathedral faces Ð Dong Khoi. It is neo-Romanesque with two 40m-high square towers tipped with iron spires, which dominate the city's skyline.





City Post Office

Our lunch on the sidewalk shophouse.

Then Our last change to clean up the Vietnamese money is at Ben Thanh Market. Although, we don’t succeed in that mission since the weather is so hot and the market is bustle with both tourists and sellers.
From Lonely Planet :

This market and its surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything that's commonly eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese is available here: vegetables, meats, spices, sweets, tobacco, clothing, household items, hardware and so forth. There's also a healthy selection of souvenir-worthy items.

And that should be all for my trip.

Southern Vietnam - Day 5

Today we plan to spend only half day for sightseeing by renting a car with the driver.



Our tour start at the cathedral, Domaine de Marie Convent, not far from our hotel.

From Lonely Planet
The pink tile-roofed structures of the hilltop Domaine de Marie Convent, constructed between 1940 and 1942, were once home to 300 nuns. Today the remaining nuns support themselves by making ginger candies and selling the fruit grown in their orchard. The French-speaking nuns are pleased to show visitors around, explaining the work they do for orphans, the homeless and handicapped children. A shop sells handicrafts made by the children and nuns. Mass is celebrated in the large chapel, Sun to Fri.

Next is Langbiang Mountain where we need to rent a jeep to take us up the mountain. Langbian Mountain's highest peak at 2,165m is very tempting for climbers.

Next visit is at Linh Son Pagoda

Built in 1938, the Linh Son Pagoda is a lovely ochre-coloured building that fuses French and Chinese architecture.

Last place of the tour is at Linh Phouc Pagoda.

We then spend time chill out at the cafe, having some icecream and writing postcards to friends.





Buying some preserved fruits at the market.




Dalat weather is almost cool for the whole year so there are plenty of flower gardens. The Dalat Flower Festival will be held next month, around new year period.

Lake in Dalat.

Southern Vietnam - Day 4

YK HOME VILLA : 09 Yet Kieu, Ward 5, Dalat, Lam Dong, 0063

Our breakfast at the hotel.


Today we rent a car with the driver to visit some of Dalat’s attractions.


Our first stop is at Datanla Falls. The falls itself is not that impressive, but we enjoy the ride up and down by the slider car.





Buddhist Meditation Monastery.


We then choose to take a cable car to go down to the city.



Dalat from the cable car station.




King Baodai’s Summer Palace.
The art deco-influenced Bao Dai's Summer Palace was constructed in 1933 and was one of three palaces Bao Dai kept in Dalat.



Crazy House



Lunch at the small shophouse.




Valley of Love. This one is so-so, we spent little time here, but cross the road to the where there are very impressive embroidery pieces to look at.





Traditional Embroidery Village X.Q.. Can't take a photo inside.


Next is the Flower Park.






Strawberry Farm, too bad that it is not ripen yet.



Beautiful architecture.




The Old train station
From Lonely Planet :
Dalat's pretty Crémaillère Railway station is now largely decorative. Railway enthusiasts will be interested in the old locomotives on display, including a Japanese steam train.



And then the driver drop us at the Cathedral.



We take a rest from the non-stop tour by having high tea at Novotel coffeshop.


End the night with dinner at the same place, Long Hoa restaurant where the food is all delicious.