Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta
by Inge van Dongen
During 23-11-2012 till 27-11-2011
I went on a inspection trip to the second city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Ming City or better known by her old name Saigon. During this trip I inspected three 3-star hotels: La Jolie Hotel, A & EM Hotel, Senviet Hotel and one 4-star hotel Grand Hotel. During this inspection trip I also did some sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnels.
La Jolie is a nice and new hotel in a perfect location. The hotel breathes an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort. The receptionists look representative and speak proper English. The rooms are all in white/ sandy/ grey colors that give the rooms a luxurious and peaceful look. The breakfast buffet was good, something for everyone; eggs omelet, cereal, Vietnamese style food and a variety of fruits. La Jolie is a 3 star hotel, but has the appearance off a 4 star hotel.
La Jolie Hotel.
A & EM Hotel is a hotel off the well known Vietnamese hotel A &EM Hotels. They have a very significant style witch you best can describe as kitsch. Every where you looked you will find gold/ diamante assesoires within the exaggerated Barok style. The receptionist was very friendly and spoke good English. The rooms where small but the layout off the room was sufficient. The Bathroom was spacious and for all room type you can choose out off a shower or bathtub. All the rooms had a pc in the room with free internet. In the restaurant they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast is an American style mixed with Vietnamese.
Senviet Hotel gives a messy impression. The decoration and atmosphere where very old fashioned. This hotel needs some serious renovation and modernization en maintenance. The rooms were quite spacious. The beds were comfortable but the sheets where not really clean and a bit worn. They serve an American/ Vietnamese mixed style breakfast buffet. The restaurant looked clean but again a bit old fashioned with dusty tablecloths.
The Senviet Hotel.
Grand Hotel very classic and charming hotel were you can almost feel the history. At the moment they are expanding the hotel with a complete new wing. This will provide the hotel with more then a double amount of rooms and divide the hotel in a classical and modern wing so they will become more attractive for guest because they have more opportunities. The hotel will then also have a new buffet restaurant were they will serve a luxurious international breakfast. The receptionist was very professional. Spacious and luxurious rooms with a good lay out. The beds were very comfortable and with clean sheets. Nice and well maintained pool area on the 2nd floor. That comes with a pool bar.
City centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
During this trip I did a halfday tour in Ho Chi Minh City and visit The Remnants War museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Postal office of HCMC designed by Gustav Eiffel, Reunification Palace and Le Notre Dame Cathedral. The guide knew a lot about the history and could tell a lot of detailed stories. Ho Chi Minh City is a very interesting city for our guest to explore at has a lot of history, culture and gives a real Asian city experience. The city has been colonized by the French their influences are still very remarkable in the city and gives a nice mix between Asia and Europe.
The Remnants War museum of Ho Chi Minh City.
Mekong Delta -The day started with a 1, 5 hour drive to My Tho city, the van is very comfortable and the driver drives responsible. After one hour you make a sanitary stop at a clean rest stop place, where you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee. At the pier of My Tho a guide how is specialized in the Mekong delta area joins the tour. The private boat trip is in an original fishers boat witch is very charming and comfortable. During this trip you will visit 3 islands in the middle of the Mekong Delta. On these islands you will experience culture, habits and beautiful nature. Like a bee farm, coconut candy factory, tropical fruit farm. On the last island you have lunch were you can choose out of a set menu or a la carte menu.The lunch place is gorgeous and the food is fantastic and a real experience. The price for this menu is fair.
the islands are very touristic and I felt I was part of a sheep herd. You go from place to place get explanation and then the chance to buy souvenirs.The diversity is excellent and makes it suitable for couples young and old and families with young children.
My Tho, Mekong DeltaMy third sightseeing day we took off to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. The ride takes a 1, 5 but is a stunning drive. During the bumpy ride you can see the real Vietnamese way of living, and get a good impression of the farmer’s life passing the rise fields and rubber plant ages. Our guide gave us a lot of information about the War between Vietnam and the US. This to prepare us for our visit to the Historic relics and Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. This open air ‘museum’ gives a really good and lifelike impression how the Cu Chi warriors defended them self’s against the mighty US. This is a tour that is suitable for everybody.
For more pictures of Inge van Dongen's inspection trip to Ho Chi Minh City, click here .