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ho chi minh city

Ho Chi Minh City book street

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City’s Book Street, Opera House

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).

Duong sach thanh pho book street
It was just a few steps away from the Saigon Central Post Office
Ho Chi Minh City book street
It’s famous for being a trendy spot lined with book stores and cafes
Duong Sach book street Ho Chi Minh City
The book street isn’t very big, just a 100 metres long
Nha Nam Publishing Saigon book street
Some book stores seem to be operated by publishers themselves
Saigon book street Vietnam
I didn’t see as many people inside the book stores buying books
Saigon girls book street Vietnam
Saw a lot of girls posing for the Gram though (translation: posing for photos to later upload to Instagram)
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Saigon Central Post Office Vietnam

Vietnam: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office

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.

Ho Chi Minh city graffiti road
I hired a Grab bike taxi to take me from my hotel to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The short ride would cost me 13,000 VND (₹41/$0.57/€0.47)
Notre Dame cathedral basilica Saigon
This is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Unfortunately, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was under-going renovation works and was closed off to the public.

Mary statue Notre Dame cathedral Saigon
A statue of Mother Mary

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.

Notre Dame cathedral basilica Ho Chi Minh City
The church has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet)
Notre dame cathedral under renovation
Gates prevent people from entering the church

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.

Outside Notre Dame cathedral Saigon
There wasn’t much else to do here so I left after spending just 10 minutes
Ho Chi Minh City post office Vietnam
Close by the cathedral is the Saigon Central Post Office
Saigon Central Post Office Vietnam
Although it’s still called the Central Post Office, in today’s day and age, it’s mostly a tourist attraction
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Bui Vien street nightlife Saigon

Vietnam: Bui Vien Street — Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife area (for tourists)

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.

Nguyen Thi Nghia street traffic
This is Nguyen Thi Nghia street, quite a busy and crowded stretch
Cong Vien 23 Thang 9 Ho Chi Minh city
Nearby is September 23 Park, a fairly large public park
September 23 park at night Vietnam
Locals were out and about doing various activities like play badminton, exercise, walk, etc.
Central market Taka plaza Saigon Vietnam
Central Market Taka Plaza is an underground shopping center near the park
Bui Vien street nightlife district
I walked towards Bui Vien street

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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