The Saigon Botanical Gardens is one of the first projects undertaken by the French after they established Cochinchina as a colony. Though once one of the finest such gardens in Asia, the Saigon Botanical Gardens are now only a pleasant place for a stroll under giant tropical trees. Still, you can find about 2,000 trees including Chinese incense-cedar, a bonsai forest and a large greenhouse full of purple orchids. The emphasis is now on fun fair with kid’s rides, a fun house, miniature train, house of mirrors and such. Another plus point about going to the Saigon Botanical Gardens is you can also visit the Saigon Zoo, Hung Vuong Temple and the History Museum which are all within the same compound…

The reports I had heard from friends about their adventures in the Mekong Delta were largely negative. They had all been dragged on similar whistlestop tours that included little fresh air, uninspiring boat rides and a tedious visit to a candy factory. So, when the chance to see The Delta in a more original and revealing fashion arose, I was raring to go…

I get regular emails from our readers asking questions about Vietnam Visa. So I thought I should write a post hoping to help. I must state upfront that I’m not writing from experience. I’m a Singaporean and by default we get 30 days free entry into Vietnam. Still, I did a little research and these are some general information about getting a Vietnam Visa…

Mon Hue is an up-and-coming chain of attractive restaurants that offers a good introduction to the cuisine from the old imperial capital of Central Vietnam, Hue. They have about 6 chains now in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon. I’ve visited 3 of them and so far I find this one at Phu My Hung being the best in terms of space and cleanliness…

A rough guide on the general patterns of the weather in Vietnam. Do not take this as a bible. With all the global warming, if anyone says he can give you a definitive weather forecast, he is pulling a fast one…

Tao Dan Cultral Park is another popular spot the Saigonese (people living in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City) go to during the Vietnamese New Year. Although it is officially called ‘Tao Dan Park Flower Festival’, there are many other activities taking place like a fun fair for the kids, food fair for the adults, stage performances, etc. Good place to go to catch the festive atmosphere for the Vietnamese New Year…

This is a follow up on my series of pictures documenting the Vietnamese New Year. This time it’s pictures on the decorations and celebration of Tet on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon…

As mentioned in my post on the Vietnamese New Year, Park23/9 is one of the places in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, where you can catch the New Year atmosphere. This year, the Tet flower market at Park 23/9 runs from 6th to 13th February…

Visited Cholon to check out the Vietnamese New Year atmosphere there. Returned with these pictures…

If you are wondering about the big deal with the Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, it is the most important and biggest holiday and festival in Vietnam. You see, for us Asian, many of our culture and customs are based on the Lunar Calendar. And Tet, aka Lunar New Year, falls on the very first day of that calendar…