Puro Gusto, Tan Son Naht Airport

Puro Gusto in Tan Son Naht Airport, Saigon is probably not halal-certified but Muslims can get pre-packed food like chocolate and potato chips here. They also have croissant and other pastries. 

Taste - Good

Price - 225.000 VND for 2 pax

Ambiance - Typical airport shop/cafe. Not many seats available.

Passio, Zen Plaza

Passio

Zen Plaza

Nguyen Trai

Ho Chi Minh City.

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Kindly note that this isn't a halal-certified outlet.

Therefore, order accordingly. I chose plain croissant, chocolate pastry, lemon tea freeze (forgot what they call it) and dunnowhatcoffee (my partner's).

Taste - DELICIOUS!

Price - 121.000 VND

Ambiance - modern cafe in shopping complex (think well-lighted Starbucks)

Good service, polite and helpful staff. Newly opened branch (when I visited).

Recommended for breakfast or tea.

Quan Pho Lau Amin, Ho Chi Minh City

Quan Pho Lau Amin

Kedai Halal Amin is located in the 'Malaysian Street' of Ho Chi Minh City. Very near Ben Thanh and the hotels that are popular among Malaysians. It is about 10 minutes walk from Ono Saigon, the hotel I was staying in.

  Opposite the restaurant, there's another shop under renovation but bearing the same name. I guess those going to Ho Chi Minh City later will get to enjoy their halal food in a new and hopefully improved restaurant.

Taste - Average

Price - 140.000 VND for 2 pax

Ambiance - as the picture above

I don't remember what are the names of dishes we ordered but they were basically beef noodle soup and Pattaya fried rice (no veggie).

My only issue with this restaurant is that the server probably doesn't understand English. I asked for "no veggie" complete with head shake and hand gesture but maybe in Vietnam they meant the opposite.

  Tadaaahhh... I got a plate of ulam (untouched) and normal Pattaya fried rice with chopped daun pokok. 

It's no big deal to some but if you have fussy kids/person in your party, avoid this place or make sure they understand exactly what you want. Some people are on tight budget and are genuinely veggie/spicy food/seafood/lactose/etc. intolerance. You don't want to go hungry or to have to spend extra just because of avoidable misunderstanding.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

65 Ly Tu Trong

District 1

Ho Chi Minh City.

Operating Hours

0800 - 1700 daily

Entrance Fee: 15.000 VND per adult

Garden outside the building

Personally, I think that this museum isn't as well-curated and well-maintained as the War Remnant Museum. The flow of information was choppy and there was a terrible smell in some parts of the building.

  However, it is a beautiful building. There were at least 2 couples doing their wedding photoshoot during my visit.

A bit like the late Azean Irdawaty kan?

Cu Chi Tunnel

It is always a good idea to visit a museum before going to the actual historical sites. So plan to spend at least 1 hour here to get some idea on the history and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

War Remnant Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnant Museum

28 Vo Van Tan,

Ward 6, District 3,

Ho Chi Minh City.

Operating Hours

0730 - 1200

1330 - 1700

Daily

Note: They *really* close for lunch. If you're already inside, they'll politely tell you to come back later.

Entrance Fee: 15.000 VND per adult

I took a taxi from hotel (only 30.000 VND) and bought tickets from the booth at the entrance. Along with ticket stubs, I was given a sticker (pic below).

There are some military machines and vehicles outside the building. Lots of photo opportunities.

The museum has 3 levels. You might want to start from the top. Flow of information was good. I believe the curator did a good job. 

  The displays were sobering for me. Many times, I had to stop myself from actually shedding tears. Basically, I walked around the museum with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. The top and middle levels are where the heavy stuff are on display. Photographs, labels and diagram on war, death, violence. 

  Stories from actual victims of Vietnam War, photographs by war photographers who lost their lives and many other media of information serve as a reminder for us all. Both the horrors and the beauties of Vietnam past are on exhibit in this building.

Clockwise L-R: Propaganda, Journalists/Photographers Who Died/MIA during war, An agent orange's young victim, & Story of a photographer's last picture

The Death of Robert Capa

"... or you can become a psycho like the lifer (E-6) in the picture who really digs this kind of shit." 

"Regardless of prevention, a number of Americans participated in the campaign against the war in the first months of the Nixon Administration. They supported Jim Peck, an American who was arrested in a demonstration in the spring of 1969"

"Portrait of Mr. Jui Cunosin, a Japanese who burnt himself in front of the Japanese Prime Minister Palace on November 11, 1967 to protest against the US aggressive war in Vietnam."

  The heartwarming displays are at ground floor. Inspiring and yes, tearjerking. More people died as a consequences of Vietnam war even when they are thousand miles away. You should really experience it yourself. Expect to spend at least 2 hours here. 

P.s. There is a playroom to leave the kids in.

If you're facing the building from the main entrance, there are some souvenir stalls on the left side and a cafe on the right.

This is a highly recommended venue to visit in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Enjoy your visit. Peace.

Cu Chi Tunnel, Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnel

Tour : US$10 per adult (transport + English-speaking tour guide)

Ticket : 110.000 VND per adult

Tour guide came to hotel in the morning to escort us to a waiting bus. The bus was already full. I guess the rest of the pax gathered at Pham Ngu Lao.

Briefing

Ticket check

First, we went into the building below to watch an introductory video on Cu Chi Tunnel.

Then, tour guide took us to show a concealed entry into the tunnel, traps and various meeting areas and workshop.

Actual tank from war time

Tour guide: If you can lift 10 times, everyone gets free lunch! :))

Handmade footwear

Those inclined can shoot some rounds at the shooting range so bring your cash/card

Finally, we got to go down and experienced the tunnel for ourselves.

One word, PAIN!

Supposedly, the tunnel for tourist was already widened to fit our *ahem* bigger frames but it was still tiny! You gotta duck-walk or crawl. I took the first exit I could find and was dismayed to discover that I was probably less than 100 metres away from the entrance. Sure felt like forever down in the tunnel! 

  Lastly, we were taken to a canteen-like building to enjoy boiled(?) cassava and tea.

On the way to Cu Chi Tunnel, the bus made one stop at a handicraft centre. Tourists can go for toilet break, get a drink or buy souvenirs. Nothing too forceful. 

  After the tour is over, we were driven back into town and dropped in front of the tour office near Pham Ngu Lao.