Personal website of Mithun Divakaran, a guy you may or may not know -- or like.
Date: 27 October 2019
I was continuing my sightseeing around Ho Chi Minh City after stopping by the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office. Right beside the Post Office building is Ho Chi Minh City’s Book Street (Đường sách Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh).
Date: 27 October 2019
Yesterday was spent on a full day tour that included stops at the Cao Dai temple and then the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. I was done with the day tours I had planned from Ho Chi Minh City so today was just going to be dedicated to exploring the other sights of this bustling city.
Unfortunately, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was under-going renovation works and was closed off to the public.
The church was initially named the Church of Saigon at the time of its construction by French colonists between 1863 and 1880. It was renamed in 1959 as the church looked similar to the Notre-Dame in Paris.
Which sucked, as I saw photos online that showed the church’s interiors and it did look quite nice. So it would have made for good photography.
Date: 24 October 2019
I began the day at Ben Thanh Market and Mariamman Hindu Temple in the morning, Independence Palace and Norodom Palace Exhibit by noon and finally the War Remnants Museum later in the evening. I went back to my hotel to keep my camera batteries for charging and to freshen up as I was a bit tired being out in the sun all day.
I stepped out later at night to visit Bui Vien Street, the popular nightlife zone in Ho Chi Minh City — for foreigners. I state that clearly because it’s not where Vietnamese locals frequent.
Bui Vien street and the neighbouring bylanes are chock-full of restaurants, hotels, hostels, tour operators, and bus services. It’s a convenient place for foreign tourists and I initially booked to stay at a hotel here. But when I read multiple reviews of hotels and many complaining about the noise, I cancelled my booking and chose to stay a bit further away.
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