Carolyn Dickins

Sherli Lim

Rhizza Liberato

Fiona Kang

Nathalie Chang

Tamara Boralessa

After work we all headed to the Changi Airport and gather for our group Check-In. While waiting to get on board the plane, we all took lots of pictures hanging around. It was time for us to board the plane and some of us were checking the plane out. Some of us were getting to know the plane so when we can understand better the carrier that we are offering to our clients. We managed to arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport Ho Chi Minh City safely. It was kinda late so we were all very shag. Our bus reached and we all boarded and head to Hoang Hai Long Hotel where all of us stayed for this trip.
Getting around Ho Chi Minh to the city couldnt be easier. Not only taxi services are readily available from the hotel desk or just outside the hotel lobby cyclos are everywhere. Cyclo is a local transportation in vietnam that is reverse tricycle fitted with a comfortable passenger seat on the front. we began the stimulating journey through the streets of Saigon travelling in slow motion as swarms of scooters raced past us at every intersection. It was exhilarating to cross intersections as traffic approached us in all directions without the need for such archaic and inefficient concepts such as traffic law. Nonetheless we still saw and noticed that motorists in Vietnam does give way to one another avoiding accidents.
Our first stop was at War Remnants Musuem. This museum truly captured the essence of war. They showed the terror and misery of war for soldiers and people on both sides. War is hell, and this is the first place that really tried to show this aspect of it. This museum was about the effects of the war and serves as a memorial to those who died. So after the first floor, there was no more propaganda, and the depression began to set in. The second floor had two exhibits. One was about the war crimes and crimes of aggression committed by the Americans in Vietnam and the second was about the effects of nuclear weapons on the people and land of Vietnam, as well as the American soldiers who used this chemicals during the war. The Vietnamese people effected by the chemical number way more, and children are still born today with problems due to the chemical. The exhibit displayed heart-wrenching images of children born with missing limbs or joints and various other deformations. The museum was incredibly powerful and something everyone should visit to see what actually happened in Vietnam.
Our next destination was the Reunification Palace, a Vietnam attraction in Ho Chi Minh City. A place to see great Saigon architecture. The Saigon Reunification Palace is also where you’ll learn quite a bit about south Vietnam before Vietnam becomes one. It was constructed to be the home of President Ngo Dinh Diem until his assassination in 1962. Taking its name from the reunification of both the North and South of the country, the building is most notable for being a symbolic part of the fall of Saigon, when Vietnam tanks crashed straight through its gates. Though it was a presidential palace in the past, today it functions as a museum. Unfortunately we were not able to go inside as the time forbids. Still we just enjoyed the view from outside and took lots of picture while listening to our Tour guide explanation about the palace.
Next we headed to Notre Dame Cathedral. We have learnt from our Tour Guide that all of the building materials were imported from France. The bricks were from Marseille France. The contractor did not use coated concrete but the bricks have retained their bright red color until now. Just inside of the main entry gate the granite plate commemorating the start and completion dates and designer can be seen. On our way here we have actually saw 2 wedding couples taking their prenup shoots. It was sweet and we saw how modern young Vietnamese are actually now.
Besides the Cathedral is the Post Office. The building was by French colonists in the early 20th century. This is the reason why it has Gothic architectural style and was designed and constructed by Gustave Eiffel. Inside the structure you can also see it as though you are transported to the early 20th century with some of it's ornate furnishings. The floor is filled with beautiful pattern of floor tiles. It is worth seeing the inside of this building, you can also drop by and send your postcards and buy some souvenirs as well.
Our favourite stop - Ben Thanh Market. The market opens early in the morning and closes in the evening around 6pm. The market is always crowded with people, especially tourists like us who are trying to get good bargains there Upon entering the market through one of the four entrances you find yourself in a colourful maze. The building’s rectangular shape makes it possible to follow a logical route around the outside of the market in decreasing loops until you reach the centre. You can find pretty much anything: wigs, accessories, fake designer watches and sunglasses, clothes, souvenirs, bedding, material, DVDs, spices, candy, fresh fruit, flowers, meat, bread and fish.
The most adventurous place, the Cu Chi tunnel. The Cu Chi Tunnel was an underground village with underground tunnels where Vietnamese people used to live. This place thought us a lot of things about Vietnamese people on how they cope with life given situations surrounding them. Our tour guide had walked us around showing the many devious, deadly, and basically horrible booby-traps created to survive from the war. These underground tunnels come with hospital, meeting rooms, kitchens, weapon storage rooms, and private rooms. Vietnamese had built this tunnels for them to hide against American's forces and fight against them using different method of weapons. Part of the reasons the war victory against American army was because of the existence of this tunnel. We have the have the opportunity to experience to walk down the tunnels, and see the weapons Vietnamese used to against their enemy.

1) Smart casual clothes are needed to bring, there's no need to bring smart outfits and accessories. You can buy almost anything you're likely to need in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so taking lots of clothes isn't necessary.If you forget something, it isn't a disaster because you should be able to find a substitute locally. Good quality, ready to wear clothes are easily obtainable, although larger sizes are difficult to find.

2) There are few problems with mosquitoes in the towns and cities of VietNam, so there is no need to bring large quantities of repellent. However, a couple of tubes would be advisable especially we are going to Cu Chi Tunnel.

3) Good sun protection is important as we will be traveling around the city by Cyclo or on Foot.

4) Another essential item is a good sun hat, a wide-brimmed to shade both face and the nape of the neck and sunglasses.

5) Avoid handbags and camera bags with shoulder straps, if possible - they're easy to snatch in places where petty crime is common, such as the tourist areas in Ho Chi Minh City